Australia faces six Champion rivals
Aidan O’Brien’s top-class three-year-old will be taken on again by The Grey Gatsby, who chased him home two lengths down in second place on the Knavesmire.
The Prix du Jockey Club winner was added to the Irish Champion field at the supplementary stage by his trainer Kevin Ryan.
Kingfisher has done sterling work as pacemaker for stablemate Australia in his last three races and gets the key role again.
Al Kazeem, runner-up to The Fugue 12 months ago when sent off odds-on favourite, bids to go one better after returning to the track following a failed stud career.
The William Haggas-trained Mukhadram could only finish fourth behind Australia at York but had earlier defeated Trading Leather in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Trading Leather, trained by Jim Bolger, was third in this race last year. Dermot Weld’s Alkasser completes the seven-strong line-up
Tapestry, who floored Taghrooda in the Yorkshire Oaks, steps down to a mile for tomorrow’s Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
O’Brien also saddles Palace in the Matron for which a field of 10 has been declared.
The Clive Brittain-trained Rizeena, winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot where Tapestry was only sixth, is one of two British challengers along with Mick Channon’s Wee Jean.
There is one French raider in the shape of Alex Pantall’s Kenhope while the list is completed by Fiesolana, Purr Along, Tobann, Wannabe Better and Flying Jib.
Gordon Lord Byron steps back up to a mile for the Clipper Boomerang Mile.
Just seven days after finishing second in the Haydock Sprint Cup, Tom Hogan’s star reverts to the distance over which he won a Group One in Australia.
Dermot Weld’s Mustajeeb, not seen since winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot with a penalty, and Aidan O’Brien’s Darwin also feature in a strong home team.
Brian Ellison saddles Top Notch Tonto, who returned to form when narrowly beaten at York.
He will be joined by Mark Johnston’s consistent Bow Creek.
Jim Bolger’s duo of Leitir Mor and Parish Hall and O’Brien’s Michaelmas complete the field.
