The Fugue in Champion frame
John Gosden’s filly clinched her second Group One prize with a mesmerising display on the Knavesmire last month, after which the Clarehaven handler mentioned the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and a return trip to the Breeders’ Cup as possible options.
At that stage, a trip to Ireland was not discussed, but with the prospect of her favoured fast ground looking likely she has been confirmed for what would be a fascinating clash with the colts.
While the drying weather could persuade connections of The Fugue to give an Irish mission the green light, it looks likely to scupper the participation of both Al Kazeem and Cirrus Des Aigles.
The Roger Charlton-trained Al Kazeem has already claimed a Group One hat-trick in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Coral-Eclipse.
However, he was beaten into third behind declaration of War and Trading Leather in a fast-ground Juddmonte International at York last month and ease underfoot is essential for his next assignment.
Al Kazeem is likely to have one more run before a tilt at either the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 6 or the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot 13 days later, according to his owner John Deer.
French star Cirrus Des Aigles also features among 13 Irish Champion Stakes confirmations, but connections are similarly hoping for a change in conditions.
The latest going report from Leopardstown will not make good reading for the Al Kazeem and Cirrus Des Aigles camps.
Conditions are currently described as firm, good to firm in places, with watering due to commence. The Foxrock venue is forecast a largely dry week, with a slight chance of showers closer to the big day.
Aidan O’Brien, who has saddled a record seven previous Irish Champion Stakes winners, has Camelot, Declaration Of War, Triumphant, Kingsbarns, Magician and Ruler Of The World still in the mix this year.
Jim Bolger has confirmed Parish Hall and King George and Juddmonte International runner-up Trading Leather.
Bolger said: “The plan is to run Trading Leather in the Irish Champion Stakes. He arrived home from York in good shape and he has been fresh and well since.”
Dermot Weld will delay a decision about the participation of his filly, Princess Highway, until later this week.
He said: “She is a very talented filly and I don’t think that we’ve seen the best of her so far this season. She has been left in the Champion Stakes and is a very possible runner.”
The field is completed by John Murphy’s outsider Euphrasia.
nTapestry may have run her last race of the season in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly was promoted to second after being interfered with by Kiyoshi in the Group One, won by Rizeena.
Tapestry had previously struck in the Debutante Stakes in good style and was supplemented for the Curragh showpiece.
“She ran very well,” said O’Brien.
“As for the rest of this year, she has the option of going for the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket (September 27) or we might just leave her off for the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile, trainer Clive Brittain will see how Rizeena recovers from her fine victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes before deciding where she will bid for more Group One glory.
The Shadwell Fillies’ Mile, the Connolly’s Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes and the Prix Marcel Boussac are the options for the Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum-owned filly.
