Galileo is set to start the shortest priced Irish Champion Stakes favourite in almost 20 years for tomorrow's clash with Fantastic Light.
Just eight horses have been declared for the fifth leg of the Emirates World Series, the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes, with both Sakhee and the Dermot Weld-trained Muakaad taken out at yesterday's final stage.
Galileo is a best-priced 1 to 2 favourite with Ladbrokes for the race and could emerge as one of the hottest market leaders since Assert won the Group One contest in 1982 at 1 to 4. Suave Dancer won at 4 to 6 in 1992.
Aidan O'Brien has also declared Bach (Seamus Heffernan) and the pacemaker Ice Dancer (Paul Scallan), while Godolphin have Give The Slip in the race as a pacemaker for Fantastic Light.
Kevin Prendergast has declared the Pretty Polly Stakes winner, Rebelline, despite the ground at Leopardstown remaining "good" while Jim Bolger, successful with Park Express 15 years ago, will rely on Siringas. Chimes At Midnight completes the field.
Yesterday, Fantastic Light's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, was upbeat about his horse's chance and said: "He will have a better chance than before as the distance will be perfect for Fantastic Light. He has won many more races at a mile and a quarter than a mile and a half. I am happy with him. He is in great form and ready for his race." Aidan O'Brien has suffered a rare reverse this season with the news that his Epsom Oaks and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, Imagine, has been retired from racing.
The filly has not recovered in time from an injury picked up in preparation for the Irish Oaks and it was felt it would be too much of a rush to get her back in time for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Imagine leapt to prominence when springing a 16 to 1 surprise in the Entenmann's Irish Guineas under substitute rider Seamus Heffernan, but was a warm favourite when overcoming difficulties with the unique Epsom track to win the Oaks.
Ladbrokes bet: 1/2 Galileo, 6/4 Fantastic Light, 16 Bach, 33 Give The Slip, 50 Rebelline and Siringas, 100 Chimes At Midnight, 150 Ice Dancer.
Paddy Power bet: 4/9 Galileo, 7/4 Fantastic Light, 12 Bach, 33 Give The Slip and Rebelline, 50 Siringas, 66 Chimes At Midnight, 100 Ice Dancer.
Michael Hourigan was the trainer in form when landing both divisions of the Munster Handicap Hurdle in glorious sunshine at Clonmel yesterday.
Paul Carberry, with 32 winners, is now six clear in the National Hunt jockeys table. He , was aboard Loughcrew, who came from off the pace in division one to beat Rapsan snugly. Dodger Nash benefited from the addition of blinkers when making most to take division two under Paul Moloney.
Charlie Swan and Limerick trainer Austin Leahy both ended a frustrating run of placed efforts when teaming up to take the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle (Div 1) with Spirito Di Punto.
Swan was seen at his best when producing the four-year-old at the last to beat Putsometnby.
