Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 2m 5.08s

(3)

Ghaiyyath²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 130| D

8/13

Trailblazing front-runner who made it 4-4 this term with impressive win in International Stakes at York by 3l from Magical. Earlier landed the Coronation Cup and Coral-Eclipse. The one to beat.

Form: 10-1111

(2)

Japan⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| D

8/1

Made up into high-class 3-y-o but hasn't gone on in expected manner this term, below-par effort when last of 3 to Enable in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last time. More needed.

Form: 114-433

(4)

Leo De Fury²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 114| D

125/1

Very smart colt. Landed Group 2 at the Curragh on return but never able to challenge when last of 5 to Armory in Royal Whip Stakes there 29 days ago. This is a very tough ask.

Form: 254-155

(1)

Sottsass²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: J C Rouget| OR: 119| D

5/1

2019 Prix du Jockey Club winner who has returned as good as ever, landing Group 1 Prix Ganay at Chantilly before beaten neck in Group 3 at Deauville. High-class French colt and much respected.

Form: 113-412

(5)

Magical²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| CD

9/2

High-class mare who won 3 Group 1s in 2019 and has added another couple to her CV this term. No disgrace in going down by 3l to Ghaiyyath in International Stakes at York last time. In the mix again.

Form: 151-112

(6)

Armory²⁹

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

66/1

Smart colt. Good fourth of 6 to Magical in Tattersalls Gold Cup over C&D before stylish win in Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes there last time. Has plenty on his plate here though.

Form: 232-441

Forecasts

Ghaiyyath (8/13), Magical (9/2), Sottsass (5/1), Japan (8/1), Armory (66/1), Leo De Fury (125/1)

GHAIYYATH is confidently expected to maintain his unbeaten record in 2020 and make it win number five with another all-the-way victory. Magical is an admirable mare and a mutliple Group 1 winner herself but looks booked for second once more behind Charlie Appleby's top-class front runner. French-raider Sottsass rates the pick of the remainder in a cracking renewal of the Irish Champion.