Nathaniel features among Champion contenders

Nathaniel features among 33 entries for the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 8.

John Gosden‘s four-year-old has returned better than ever this season, winning the Eclipse and going down by the narrowest of margins when attempting to win the King George for a second successive year.

Nathaniel was not among the original list of entries but connections have paid €20,000 to add him to the field.

Snow Fairy may travel back over for Ed Dunlop having pushed So You Think so close last year.

As expected, Aidan O‘Brien is strongly represented and although Camelot is still engaged, he is thought more likely to chase a memorable Triple Crown win in the St Leger at Doncaster a week later.

St Nicholas Abbey and Imperial Monarch, as well as the filly Wading, are among the Ballydoyle team while John Oxx also has a strong hand with Born To Sea and Native Khan.

Dermot Weld’s Princess Highway and Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso are other possibles.

Cirrus Des Aigles, Twice Over, Main Sequence and Parish Hall also catch the eye.