18:35 Leopardstown

Saturday 15 September 2018

All15:2015:5016:2516:5517:2518:0018:3519:10

QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 18:38 | Winning time: 2m 7.21s

(5)

Deauville^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| C| D

40/1

Losing run mounting up and while only narrowly denied in Group 3 company at the Curragh last time, he usually finds a couple too good at this level. Down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 250262

(3)

Rhododendron^b1²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF| D

14/1

Stayed on gamely to win the Lockinge earlier in the season but has been well below that level since. Yard form a feasible excuse for those efforts and may do better here after a short break. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: 2-41969

(8)

Roaring Lion²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 126| D

8/11

Has gone from strength to strength this season. Ran with credit in the Derby when third and probably didn't quite see out the trip. Got the better of Saxon Warrior in the Eclipse before a career best in the Juddmonte last time out. Hard to beat.

Form: 351311

(2)

Saxon Warrior²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120

5/2

Mightily impressive winner of the Guineas but failed to justify favouritism in the Derby and could only finish runner-up to Roaring Lion in the Eclipse. Behind that rival again in the Juddmonte but yard in better form now and better expected.

Form: 1-14324

(7)

Study Of Man³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S Pasquier| T: P Bary| OR: 115| D

8/1

Followed up a Group 2 success with an impressive win in the French Derby. Had excuses at Deauville last time when positioned too far off the pace and not without a chance here with more progress entirely possible.

Form: 1-2113

(4)

Verbal Dexterity^t²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 115| BF

25/1

Impressive winner of a Curragh Group 1 as a juvenile. Disappointed when favourite on only start this season in Group 3 company and he would need to come on from that markedly to have any say here.

Form: 1214-4

(6)

Athena^h1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

40/1

Impressive when winning the Belmont Oaks (Grade 1) and was very strong in the finish that day. Didn't settle as well at Arlington in her follow up bid. First-time hood could help and may be capable of running in to a place if the rain stays away.

Form: 214317

Non-Runners

(1)

Addeybb¹¹⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Roaring Lion (8/11), Saxon Warrior (5/2), Study Of Man (8/1), Rhododendron (14/1), Addeybb (16/1), Verbal Dexterity (25/1), Deauville (40/1), Athena (40/1)

A strong renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes and it's hard to look past ROARING LION in his bid for a third straight Group 1 success. The colt gives the impression he's still improving and with conditions in his favour (provided there's no rain), he's expected to be hard to beat. Study Of Man is a fascinating French raider who had excuses when only third in a Group 2 last time. Belmont Oaks winner, Athena may represent some each-way value and first time headgear could eke out some improvement.