17:30 Leopardstown

Saturday 13 September 2025

All14:1514:5015:2015:5016:2516:5517:3018:0518:40

Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 4.6899999999999995s

(3)

Anmaat⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 123| D

4/1

High-class gelding won the 2024 Champion Stakes at Ascot and has returned at the very top of his game, a ½-length second in the Gold Cup at the Curragh on reappearance prior to chasing home Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales at Ascot (10f, firm) in June. Merits respect back on easier ground.

Form: 1/151-22

(7)

Royal Champion⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 120| D

18/1

Well held in the Group 1 Prince of Wales at Ascot behind Ombudsman in June but bounced right back to his best when an impressive winner of the Group 2 York Stakes in July. May fall short again in Group 1 company.

Form: 01-1471

(1)

Shin Emperor¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: Yoshito Yahagi| OR: 123| D

4/1

Very smart colt caught the eye when third in the 2024 renewal of this race prior to disappointing in the Arc. Back on track with a Group 2 victory in Riyadh in February but proved a let-down in the Dubai Sheema Classic in April. Interesting if rediscovering the form shown in this race last year.

Form: 2330-17

(5)

White Birch^t¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Browne McMonagle| T: J J Murphy| OR: 121| CD

13/2

High-class horse produced a career-best to land a hat-trick in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last season and unlucky not to finish closer when bidding to retain his crown this year, 1½ lengths fourth of 9 to Los Angeles at the Curragh (10f) in May. Has an excellent record fresh and should go well here.

Form: 4/111-24

(8)

Delacroix²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 126| BF| CD

2/1

2-2 over this C&D prior to having a race to forget when 2/1 favourite for the Derby. Bounced back quickly when showing a telling turn of foot to defeat Ombudsman by a neck in the Eclipse at Sandown but was no match for that rival in the Juddmonte at York. The one to beat if firing on all cylinders.

Form: 2-11912

(6)

Hotazhell⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 117| BF| C

18/1

Prolific 2-y-o, winning the Beresford and Group 1 Futurity. Third in Irish 2000 Guineas on return and ran at least as well when a close fifth to Delacroix in the Eclipse. Better than the result when 1½ lengths fourth of 9 in Saratoga Derby last time but has something to find back in a top Group 1.

Form: 211-354

(4)

Mount Kilimanjaro²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| D

50/1

Progressive 2-y-o who appreciated the longer trip when coming from last to first to win the Dee Stakes at Chester in May. That form hasn't worked out and he shaped as though possibly amiss when in need of the run in the Great Voltigeur at York last month. Likely pacemaker for his stablemate.

Form: 312-316

(2)

Zahrann²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 111| C| D

11/2

Lightly-raced, progressive colt emphatically landed a 9-runner listed race at Leopardstown in June before an excellent second in Group 2 at Ascot. Resumed winning ways in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh (10f) 28 days ago and has earned a crack at Group 1 company.

Form: 21121

Forecasts

Delacroix (2/1), Anmaat (4/1), Shin Emperor (4/1), Zahrann (11/2), White Birch (13/2), Royal Champion (18/1), Hotazhell (18/1), Mount Kilimanjaro (50/1)

DELACROIX is 2-2 over this C&D and looks the one to beat if bouncing back to the form he showed when winning the Eclipse. He can enhance Aidan O'Brien's fine recent record in this race, though he'll likely face a stern test from the best of the older horses. Last season's Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch has a fine record when fresh, while Anmaat has plenty of high-class form to his name and could prove dangerous back on an easier surface.