O’Brien odds-on for Champion success
The Ballydoyle maestro has saddled the last three winners of the Leopardstown event and his main hope at this stage would appear to be Duke Of Marmalade, winner of the Juddmonte International at Newmarket last time.
However, O’Brien has four other possibles, dual 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator, King Of Rome, Zulu Chief and Red Rock Canyon.
Cashmans make the champion trainer a 4-9 chance to add to his top-level tally on Saturday, ahead of Vodafone Derby hero New Approach, who could only manage third in the Juddmonte International.
Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos Family, believes there is a good chance Multidimensional will throw his hat into the ring too.
The son of Danehill was an impressive winner at Haydock on his latest outing but missed the Juddmonte International due to the fast conditions.
“At the moment it is quite possible he will run – the ground won’t be firm in Ireland,” he said.
“A final decision will be made on Thursday but I think Henry Cecil would like to run if conditions are suitable.”
Kevin Prendergast admits Mores Wells would face a stiff task against some of the principals, but the four-year-old’s owners were keen to leave him in the feature event.
“We left him in the race and I we will have a look at it later in the week and see how it looks,” said Prendergast.
“Obviously it looks very hot and I was planning to run him in the Irish St Leger a week later, but the owner pays the bills.
“He won nicely at Leopardstown last time over a mile and a half and was always travelling well.
“He has won over a mile and quarter a couple of times though and has plenty of pace so the trip is not really a concern.”
Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes, Cashmans bet: 4-9 Aidan O’Brien stable, 7-4 New Approach, 25-1 Multidimensional, 50-1 Lord Admiral, 50-1 Mores Wells, 100-1 Traffic Guard, 200-1 She’s Our Mark.
Meanwhile, Nassau Stakes heroine Halfway To Heaven is one of 16 possibles for the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly landed the Irish 1000 Guineas by a head back in May and won her second Group One by the same margin at Goodwood last time.
She could be joined by stablemates Listen, Psalm and interestingly You’resothrilling, who has not been seen August last year.
Nassau runner-up and subsequent Yorkshire Oaks winner Lush Lashes could line up at the weekend, while Sir Michael Stoute has a strong hand with Heaven Sent and Visit.
Sabana Perdida could make the journey from France, while Nahoodh, Carribean Sunset and Lady Gloria are other intriguing possibles at this stage.
Kevin Prendergast is planning to saddle Dimenticata, as long as the ground does not come up too soft.
The Danetime filly has failed to score since securing victory at Dundalk back in April, but last year’s Irish Guineas runner-up is reported to be in top form.
“Dimenticata wants good ground and the plan is to run her,” said Prendergast.
“She really couldn’t be in better form and we are looking forward to the weekend.”
Meanwhile, David Wachman intends to play it by ear regarding future plans for Sunday’s Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Again and will not be too concerned if she does not race again this term.
Again, who is owned by Michael Tabor, notched her third consecutive victory as she held Shimah by half a length as the 6-4 favourite.
She was completing a remarkable week for the young Tipperary trainer, whose colt Bushranger landed the first of two Group Ones for the stable in seven days in the Prix Morny at Deauville.
“We’ll just see how things go,” said Wachman on Monday.
“She has come out of the race really well and I’m in no rush to make any decisions.
“She is a big scopey filly, a three-year-old in the making and she has done it all this year, so it doesn’t necessarily matter if that’s it for the season.
“I will have to have a chat with the owners but we are lucky to have about a month’s grace before races like the Fillies’ Mile and the Prix Marcel Boussac come along.”
