One thing for sure is you can rely on Leopardstown to produce good to firm ground on the day that is safe and fair to all. Leopardstown are in a different league to the rest of the Irish racecourses for correct watering and ground management particularly when compared to The Curragh.
Irish Champion Stakes Day
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Gearoid
Guest
I would not be rushing to back him at 11/8 on fast ground with his dodgy pegs. There is also a slight element that Murtaghs good ride at York mugged Twice Over who went to win his race against Byword. I would find it hard to split the two.
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
Good ride? RIP won at York despite the man onboard imo. He's a half stone better animal at his best and Twice Over is due a poor run after being at it all summer.
I hope O'Brien lets us know tomorrow who is running - otherwise it will ruin the build up to the race. If Rip Van Winkle runs I think he wins easily and while I expect Fame And Glory to win (if he runs) it is not so cut and dry with him.
Declarations have to be made by Thursday so really they should know at this stage.
Declarations have to be made by Thursday so really they should know at this stage.
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Gearoid
Guest
It should be a highlight of our flat season but the main story is which horse runs. Really bad PR for the race.
Rip should go off favourite I reckon and probably win. However, Famous Name interests me in this. He has been very comfortable in his victories this season. This would probably bring out his best performance to date, which he would no doubt need.
Makes sense to me for Fame & Glory to go the other route and Rip to represent here.
Makes sense to me for Fame & Glory to go the other route and Rip to represent here.
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Gearoid
Guest
What set of circumstances would not send him off favourite?
trackside528
At the Start
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- Apr 30, 2006
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Famous Name is just shy of Group 1 level with cut in the ground. On good to firm ground he is a Group 2 horse at best.
Sheikh
At the Start
Expect the same ground as last year. Fair to all.......well unless they like soft.
He has the option of the Moulin. If the going is fast I guess they will opt for that. Stamina wise I've no concerns.
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You see that's what I'm saying... this is what he is perceived to be. I think he could be even better than this. He has never been better than he is now.
Perhaps if they ran Fame & Glory/Cape Blanco against him (although this is unlikely at least in respect of Fame), or if Twice Over was backed heavily, dramatic change of going just before the off, etc. This aside he should be favourite and hopefully ought to win.
trackside528
At the Start
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But that perception is surely based upon all of his form to date?
He's been impressive this year against lesser opposition but I'm not convinced he's made the necessary improvement (if he's made any at all) to make up into a Genuine Group 1 performer.
He's been impressive this year against lesser opposition but I'm not convinced he's made the necessary improvement (if he's made any at all) to make up into a Genuine Group 1 performer.
That's fair enough... I am convinced though.
It is a pity they did not run him against Goldikova and Makfi when the ground was right. I hate the campaigns both Famous Name and Profound Beauty have had - fair enough if the owners needed the prizemoney (they don't) but they both should surely have found a Group 1 to contest by now this season.
chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
This has been a great promotion, I hope to avail of it again next Saturday. I've saved about 50 euro on admissions with it so far.
Narcotic Nora
Apprentice
Cavalryman goes to Germany on Sunday. I don't know whether this makes them less likely to send over the filly.