15:20 Leopardstown

Saturday 9 September 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 2m 2.68s

(7)

Alflaila⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 120| D

7/1

Hold-up performer who ended 2022 firmly on the up, supplementing his Group 3 Strensall Stakes win at York with a high-class effort in the Darley Stakes at Newmarket (9f). Defied an absence when reeling in My Prospero in Group 2 at York 6 weeks ago and well worth a shot at this level.

Form: 02111-1

(4)

Luxembourg⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| BF| CD

4/1

All the better for comeback when recording a third success at the top level (one in each season to date) in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, seen to good effect from front. Not at that level both starts since, though excuses in King George last time. Beat Onesto by ½ length in this last year.

Form: 17-5124

(3)

Onesto^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: F Chappet| OR: 120| D

8/1

High-class form at 3 yrs, winning Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp prior to chasing home Luxembourg in this 12 months ago. Shaped well over an inadequate trip when fourth in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on belated reappearance and another big run looks on the cards.

Form: 51207-4

(8)

Point Lonsdale⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| C| D

40/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed better than ever this spring with successes in 10f Alleged Stakes at the Curragh and Huxley Stakes at Chester. However, limitations exposed back at this level since (used as a pacemaker in King George last time).

Form: 2/0-1138

(6)

Nashwa¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 122| BF| D

9/2

Excellent record in the top fillies/mares' races, landing a third Group 1 in the Falmouth at Newmarket impressively. Excuses when going for a second Nassau next time before excellent second taking on males for first time in Juddmonte at York. Needs considering.

Form: 4-42132

(2)

Auguste Rodin⁴²

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

11/4

Ran no sort of race when favourite for 2000 Guineas on return and again in the King George at Ascot last time but won the Derby at Epsom (by ½ length from King of Steel) and Irish Derby in between and strong claims if back in that sort of form.

Form: 11-0110

(5)

King Of Steel⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: R Varian| OR: 121

10/3

Massive improvement on return for a new yard when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in the Derby, going clear briefly but collared late. Easy winner of Group 2 at Royal Ascot since before creditable third in King George at Ascot. This trip looks ideal and bold bid expected.

Form: 17-213

(1)

Sprewell⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 111| CD

33/1

Won Derby Trial over C&D before good 7 lengths fourth to Auguste Rodin in Derby at Epsom, hampered at crucial stage. Again not seen to best effect in Irish Derby at the Curragh but suspicion is he's not up to this level.

Form: 42-1146

Non-Runners

(9)

Al Riffa²⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Auguste Rodin (11/4), King Of Steel (10/3), Luxembourg (4/1), Nashwa (9/2), Alflaila (7/1), Onesto (8/1), Al Riffa (8/1), Sprewell (33/1), Point Lonsdale (40/1)

A highly competitive renewal but the one who looks to have been underestimated in the market is NASHWA, who split a pair of high-class performers in the Juddmonte International at York last month. The drop back to 10f should be ideal for King of Steel given how he shaped in the Derby/King George so he has obvious claims, while dual-Derby winner Auguste Rodin has proved he can bounce back from a poor run.