View the Hollywoodbets preview on the Group 1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, courtesy of Neil Morrice. This race takes place on Saturday 14th September at 17:15 (Race 5). Get your bets on now at Hollywoodbets.
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QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)
Leopardstown
Race 4 – 17:15
Although Irish-trained horses have suffered a drought in this, without success since 2011, the home nation fields a formidable challenge with MAGICAL spearheading its five candidates and looking a worthy favourite.
Her battles with Enable are there for all to see, chasing the shadow of that titan of the turf in the Breeders Cup, the Coral-Eclipse and the Yorkshire Oaks.
A dual Group 1 winner, she’s not been allowed to rest on her laurels but if putting her best foot forward is the undoubted one to beat, with Ryan Moore seemingly preferring to ride her than Sir Dragonet in the St Leger.
HUNTING HORN and MAGIC WAND look outclassed but might find ways of assisting their stablemate in what is always a tactical affair, while Investec Derby winner ANTHONY VAN DYCK needs to put behind him a hugely disappointing run behind Enable in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
MADHMOON has a score to settle with the latter, having been inched out by that colt at Epsom and most recently gaining a confidence-boosting win in a Group 3 over a mile at this course.
A fascinating runner is HEADMAN who did a Houdini act to win the second of two Group 2 races at Deauville. His connections make no bones about the fact he would appreciate a little cut in the ground.
Mark Johnston’s ELARQAM finished just over a length adrift of Japan and Crystal Ocean in the Juddmonte International Stakes over this trip at York. That is strong form to take into this and he looks sure to be in the shake up.
Japan’s DEIRDRE would prefer conditions to remain on the quick side. She produced a telling finishing burst to bag the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and has remained in good heart being trained out of a yard in Newmarket.
Prediction
5 – 1 – 8 – 3 – 7
1st – MAGICAL (5)
2nd – Elarqam (1)
3rd – Madhmoon (8)
4th – Deirdre (3)
5th – Headman (7)
