O’Brien declares confidence in War

Before the off of today’s Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (6.50) and Leopardstown, the weather will have had its say.

Connections of the eight declared runners have mixed feelings about the prospects of the ground conditions easing, though Aidan O’Brien is happy to let his two representatives, Declaration Of War and Kingsbarns, take their chances whatever the weather may do.

Declaration Of War has thrived on racing this season, producing arguably his best performance when racing to victory over two of today’s rivals, Trading Leather and Al Kazeem, in the Juddmonte International at York last month.