IRISH Champion Stakes

naresh wrote: Bob, this weekend of the 13 September 2015, in France it will be the ARC Trial Races also.

GOLDEN HORN AND GLENEAGLES RETAIN LONGCHAMP OPTIONS ON SUNDAY

Classic heroes Golden Horn and Gleneagles remain among the possible runners on a fantastic card at Longchamp on Sunday.

John Gosden's Derby winner Golden Horn and Aidan O'Brien's dual 2000 Guineas victor Gleneagles look likely to cross swords in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday evening, but with the weather forecast uncertain, both have alternative options in Paris the following day.

Gleneagles could potentially stick to a mile in the Prix du Moulin, a Group One event for which 18 have stood their ground.

O'Brien also has the likes of Sir Isaac Newton and Cougar Mountain engaged, while other possible raiders include Peter Chapple-Hyam's Arod, Roger Charlton's Time Test and the Charlie Hlills-trained Dutch Connection.

Golden Horn is one of 11 three-year-olds still in the mix for the Prix Niel, in which O'Brien has Highland Reel, John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River. Andre Fabre's French Derby hero New Bay is the star turn for the home team.

Dual Arc heroine Treve is the standout name among 17 fillies in the Prix Vermeille. Tapestry is one of three remaining entries for O'Brien, while David Elsworth's shock Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen has been confirmed as expected.

Tapestry is also in against the boys in the Prix Foy. Luca Cumani has left in King George winner Postponed, as well as Roseburg.

Robert Cowell's King's Stand winner Goldream spearheads a strong British challenge in the Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert.

The Mark Johnston-trained Oriental Fox is the only remaining British entry in the Prix Gladiateur.

Hope we can watch on tellytrack if not sure we can find suitable alternative

rob faux wrote: The Great Gatsby a place will be my value ...............horse has been luckless with poor rides IMO!

predicted rain on Saturday... could scare away Golden Horn and Gleaneagles

That would be a pity

It's strange but can't remember any SA horse or big race entry being on hold due to weather conditions?

Correct me if I am wrong

HE remaining seven runners for Saturday's Ladbrokes St Leger could be tackling soft ground come racetime, with up to 15mm of rainfall forecast at Doncaster overnight.


Although Aidan O'Brien took the decision to scratch leading contender Order Of St George on Friday afternoon amid concerns the ground would not be slow enough, clerk of the course Roderick Duncan is anticipating a potential downpour in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The going did dry out to good, good to firm in places on Friday, but Duncan said: "The forecast is for heavyish rain between 2am and 10am and then to be fine with occasional sunshine and a bit of a breeze. But the forecast is for 9mm of rain and, at worst, 15mm.

"There is a lot of moisture just below the surface of this ground and it would not take a lot to change it. I think if the forecast proves correct and we get 9mm of rain, it will be nearly soft ground."

Raining at Leopardstown

Like Doncaster, officials at Leopardstown are braced for significant rainfall before Saturday's meeting, which could have serious implications for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes.

The much-anticipated clash between Gleneagles and Golden Horn could fail to happen, and heavy rain would inconvenience several other runners on the star-studded card.

Heavy spells of rain are forecast, with the going described as good to firm, firm in places on the outer track - which the Champion Stakes will be run on - and good to firm on the inner track.

Light rain was in the area from 3.15pm on Friday afternoon, and speaking an hour later racing and operations manager Nessa Joyce said: "While it has been light rain so far we are expecting heavier rain later and into tonight.

"What has fallen so far has had little or no effect on the ground and it will be early in the morning before we'll be able to gauge what impact the rain has made."

Gleneagles out so if you took the early price golden horn or free eagle your laughing as no deductions on the natepost market...

spewing if you bet Gleneagles though grrr

Bob Brogan wrote: Gleneagles out so if you took the early price golden horn or free eagle your laughing as no deductions on the natepost market...

spewing if you bet Gleneagles though grrr

Not officially out but 27 mls of rain overnight