RACING:SATURDAY'S €750,000 Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is the centrepiece of a triple-Group 1 weekend in Ireland and bookmakers reckon the feature prize is destined to go abroad for the first time in a decade.
Godolphin’s Grandera was the last overseas-trained winner of the 10 furlong highlight in 2002, since when it has been monopolised by Aidan O’Brien and John Oxx while Jim Bolger scored with New Approach in 2008.
No similar domestic superstar appears to be in contention this time, although Grand Prix de Paris winner Imperial Monarch will head O’Brien’s attempt to win it for a record eighth time while Born To Sea represents Oxx.
The half-brother to 2009 hero Sea The Stars is reportedly set to maintain his relationship with Johnny Murtagh despite the champion jockey’s sacking by the Aga Khan last week.
Although the Aga Khan is Oxx’s principal owner, reports indicate Murtagh will continue to be available to ride the other horses in the Currabeg stables at least until the end of the season.
However, bookmakers reckon the main Saturday focus will be on William Buick with the rising star of British based jockeys set to team up with Nathaniel who is a 13/8 favourite with Paddy Power to score in the Champion.
Last year’s runner up Snow Fairy is an 11/4 next best with Imperial Monarch rated a 5/1 shot ahead of today’s important forfeit stage.
Buick is weighing up the chances of a frantic dash between Merseyside and Dublin on Saturday with Australian connections of Nunthorpe winner Ortensia keen for the rider to maintain the partnership in the Haydock Sprint Cup.
The English race is due off at 3.25pm while the Champion Stakes has a 5.45pm start time which, theoretically at least, allows Buick the chance to hot-foot his way across the Irish Sea by helicopter.
“I’m not really sure what will happen. Obviously I’d love to ride both of them; they are very nice horses, but we will just have to wait and see.
“No decisions have been made on anything yet,” said the jockey yesterday.
Buick has been ever-present in the saddle during Nathaniel’s nine-race career and is hopeful the colt can add to his Group 1 tally at Leopardstown.
“He’s in good form. He came out of the King George very well so he’s ticking over nicely and looking very well. Touch wood he will get there and everything will be good,” he added.
Ortensia was yesterday a best-priced 3/1 favourite to score at Haydock and maintain her successful partnership with Buick. Before winning at York, the pair also landed the King George Stakes at Goodwood.
This Saturday’s other Group 1 race at Leopardstown, the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes, will also acquire a more definite shape today while forfeits for Sunday’s Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh will take place tomorrow.
Last year’s Matron winner Emulous is on target to try and become the first back-to-back winner of the €190,000 mile race, for which O’Brien is aiming last year’s champion juvenile filly Maybe.
The Moyglare could see the Aga Khan’s Harasiya attempt to reverse Debutante Stakes form with My Special J’s as the latter’s trainer, Pat Shanahan, has indicated his filly will be supplemented into the race tomorrow at a cost of €22,500.
Another likely supplementary is Sendmylovetorose, winner of the Cherry Hinton on her last start.
