18:45 Leopardstown

Saturday 9 September 2017

All15:2516:0016:3517:0517:3518:1018:4519:20

QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 18:46 | Winning time: 2m 8.36s

(10)

Decorated Knight¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 119| C| D

25/1

Started the season in fine form landing a Group 1 at Meydan before gaining another Group 1 at the Curragh. Ran well at Royal Ascot but has struggled on two subsequent starts, including the Juddmonte International last time. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 161265

(5)

Moonlight Magic^t⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 112| CD

33/1

Just about back to his best when landing a second Group 3 over 1m1f here last time out (his other Group 3 coming over C&D). May struggle back on likely softer ground here though and would need to improve to land this regardless.

Form: 63-2731

(9)

Poet's Word³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 113| D

10/1

Gives the impression he's not done progressing just yet and won a Group 3 at Goodwood last time. Trainer excels at improving these types with age but drop back in trip not certain to be ideal. Each-way chance provided he doesn't get tapped for toe.

Form: 412-121

(8)

Success Days^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Shane Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 114| CD

40/1

Multiple Group winner and put in a gutsy performance at York last time when finding more for pressure. At his very best with plenty of cut in the ground so needs rain to be considered but not without a chance if the going gets anywhere near heavy.

Form: 10-2421

(7)

The Grey Gatsby³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld| OR: 110| CD

66/1

Won this race, beating the mighty Australia here in 2014 but he hasn't managed to win since and he's been disappointing since switched to this yard. His very best efforts have come on faster ground than what he's likely to get here.

Form: 605-454

(3)

Zhukova⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: P J Smullen| T: D K Weld| OR: 115| C| D

10/1

Strike-rate of seven wins in 11 starts and won a Group 1 with cut in the ground at Belmont in May. That's not the strongest Group 1 form and she finished fourth of 11 at the Curragh last time but could run well with more rain forecast.

Form: 117-114

(2)

Churchill¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| BF| C

8/11

Four-time Group 1 winner and dual 2,000 Guineas winner who's had excuses on his last two runs. Ground too soft for him to be seen at his best in the Juddmonte and there has to be concerns about the ground again but he is the one to beat on form.

Form: 11-1142

(6)

Cliffs Of Moher^t¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| C| D

9/1

Runner-up in the Epsom Derby and had excuses when beaten in the Eclipse at Sandown. Ground possibly an excuse in the Juddmonte last time out and gives the impression we are yet to see the best of him but ground a concern again with rain forecast.

Form: 51-1244

(1)

Eminent²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: M Meade| OR: 116| D

3/1

Group 2 winner at Deauville last time, receiving a fine front running ride from Ryan Moore. Needs more here in a deeper race and won't find it as easy to dominate this field with Success Days in the line up but possible he's not done progressing.

Form: 1-16451

(4)

Taj Mahal²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112

50/1

Only a Dundalk handicap win to his name but has run some big race at the highest level since and respectable effort in the Secretariat Stakes last time at Arlington. Needs more in here though and entirely possible he's on pacemaking duties.

Form: 244692

Forecasts

Churchill (8/11), Eminent (3/1), Cliffs Of Moher (9/1), Poet's Word (10/1), Zhukova (10/1), Decorated Knight (25/1), Moonlight Magic (33/1), Success Days (40/1), Taj Mahal (50/1), The Grey Gatsby (66/1)

Churchill is likely to prove popular in the betting market and others would have to improve markedly to beat him on good or fast ground but with some rain forecast, SUCCESS DAYS may be worth chancing if conditions turn soft. Ken Condon's charge produced a gutsy performance to land a Group 2 at York last time out and he's run well here before. Sole mare in the race, Zhukova is another who is likely to want some rain to fall and is the first-string for Dermot Weld's stable.