High Chaparral on target for Irish Champion
A shoulder injury meant Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby winner had his four-year-old debut delayed until earlier this month.
However, he looked to have retained all his ability and delighted his trainer as he ran out a three-quarter-length winner from Imperial Dancer at the Curragh.
“The horse has come out of his run well and is in very good form,” O’Brien said yesterday.
“Provided the ground is right High Chaparral will be at Leopardstown on September 6.”
Chief danger to the Ballydoyle star in what is shaping up to be a cracking renewal will be John Oxx’s Alamshar, brilliant winner of the Budweiser Irish Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
“Everything is going to plan and we are looking forward to the race,” Oxx said.
Vintage Tipple, who gave veteran handler Paddy Mullins his first Classic win when she took the Irish Oaks, is scheduled to work today as part of her preparation for the one million euros showpiece.
Matt O’Dwyer, general manager at Leopardstown, is looking forward to the big day.
“The track is in very good condition, bookings and enquiries for the day are strong and we are delighted with how the race is shaping up,” he said.
Meanwhile champion jockey, Paul Carberry and in-form Curragh trainer, Dermot Weld, took the honours with doubles at Downpatrick yesterday, sharing in the victory of odds-on favourite, Lowlander, in the Network Northern Ireland Maiden Hurdle.
Jumping more fluently than in his two previous outings over hurdles, Lowlander was given a confident ride by Carberry, tracking the leaders until being dashed through on the inside to take command before the second last flight and drawing clear for an emphatic victory.
Plans for Lowlander are uncertain but he is one of Weld’s five entries in the Melbourne Cup, which his trainer has won with Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle.
Weld completed his double when Kirov King landed the odds in the Eastwood Bookmakers Race, being hard ridden by stable jockey Pat Smullen in the final furlong to get the better of Sharp Wit.
Paul Carberry completed his double when Move The News defied top weight of 12-4, including a 4lbs penalty, in the Eastwood Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.
The John Bowles - trained five year old looked set for a clear-cut victory on the run in but was all out close home to hold the late challenge of Rosamio.
Arthur Moore, one of our top national hunt trainers, enjoyed a rare success on the flat when Madonna Fan landed the Heart of Down Ulster Cesarewitch.
Mighty Minnow swept through on the inside turning for home under apprentice Rory Cleary but Fran Berry rallied Madonna Fan and it took all the rider’s strength to get the 4/1 favourite home for a narrow victory.
