Vic warrants nap vote

Invariably the commencement of the Townviewfoods.com Champion Stakes signals the arrival of “Derby fever” at Shelbourne Park and there will be an extra lift to the racegoers’ strides at headquarters this evening where a high-class programme includes the three semis of both the Champion and the associated Plate.

Befitting such cut-throat two-run competitions there will be no easy touches but one suspects a banker for many will be Liam Dowling’s Ballymac Vic.

In recent weeks he has progressed from potential star to leading Derby contender. Indeed, he sits atop all betting lists for this €competition on the back of a very promising second in the Race of Champions at Tralee and then the 29.47 success over course and distance last week.