Big guns stand firm for Irish Champion Stakes

Nathaniel and Snow Fairy appear among the 12 entries for Saturday’s Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

John Gosden has decided on Ireland’s most prestigious race as the next port of call for Nathaniel, the Coral-Eclipse hero who was just run down by Danedream in the King George at Ascot last time.

Although the fine French gelding Cirrus Des Aigles has not been confirmed, Ed Dunlop’s brilliant mare Snow Fairy is among the potential opposition after her thrilling return from injury at Deauville recently.

Snow Fairy was narrowly beaten by Aidan O’Brien’s So You Think in the race last year.

O’Brien will now be looking for his eighth victory in the Group One over a mile and a quarter.

He has six of the field in St Nicholas Abbey, Robin Hood, Imperial Monarch, Treasure Beach, Windsor Palace and Daddy Long Legs.

Two more come from the Dermot Weld yard in the Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway and prolific veteran Famous Name.

John Oxx’s Born To Sea and the Jim Bolger-trained Light Heavy complete a strong line-up.