Champion battle in prospect

The best wine was certainly kept to last when the draw for the heats of the Town View Foods Champion Stakes was made at Shelbourne yesterday.

While all three heats promised to be top class affairs, the final qualifier is a race of massive interest with considerable international involvement.

The likely ante-post favourite for the two-run spectacular is the former UK trained Thurlesbeg Joker, based since last year with Owen McKenna. He will go from trap six with Mesedo Blue in trap five and Barefoot Admiral (late Cavansheath Milo) and Makeshift on his immediate inner. The inside two traps are occupied by last year’s English Derby winner Kinda Ready in the red jacket and the Mossie O’Connor trained American tracker Kiowa Myth in the blue. It is going to be some battle to decide on the two qualifying places for next week’s final.