After a thrilling season on the flat the best could be yet to come, with Saturday seeing the 46th running of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
The Leopardstown showpiece headlines the first day of Champions Weekend, with a €1million prize pot on the line as well as a berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf this November at Keeneland.
After final declarations for the Group One were made on Thursday, Paddy Twomey's talented filly La Petite Coco was the most notable absentee, but it remains a field stacked with quality.
Here are the seven remaining runners and riders for the big one on Saturday:
1 – Alenquer (Trainer: William Haggas; jockey: Tom Marquand)
The French-bred Tattersalls Gold Cup winner will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing run in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown earlier this summer.
Along with stablemate Maljoom, he was struck down by a virus that led to him withdrawing from the Juddmonte International in August.
Now back at full health, there is no reason this talented colt can't pose a serious threat if he can show the sort of form on display at the Curragh back in May.
2 – Broome (Aidan O'Brien; Wayne Lordan)
One of three for Aidan O'Brien in Saturday's feature, Broome faces a quick return to action on this side of the Atlantic after finishing fourth in the Grade One Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga only two weeks ago.
His biggest triumph so far came in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, Broome staying on strongly and making light work of the heavily fancied Hurricane Lane. This will be a step-up in class but there is no reason he cannot bridge the gap.
He may not grab as much attention pre-race as the other Ballydoyle hopes but should not be discounted.
3 – Mishriff (John and Thady Gosden; Colin Keane)
One of the big contenders having already built a first-class reputation and amassed a huge amount of prize money in winning the Saudi Cup, Dubai Sheema Classic and French Derby.
The mile-and-a-quarter trip should prove right up his ally and he was only beaten by the great Baaeed in the Juddmonte International Stakes last time out, hardly a black mark.
Mishriff may need a bit of luck with the weather forecast in Dublin, as his best performances do tend to come on the quicker ground.
4 – Luxembourg (Aidan O'Brien; Ryan Moore)
Impressed on his return to action when winning the Group Three Royal Whip Stakes last month after a rocky patch.
Unbeaten as a two-year-old, before his colours were lowered in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket by Coroebus, later missing the Epsom Derby with an injury after previously being favourite.
This will be a huge test of his credentials but O'Brien is the most successful trainer in the contest's history and has won the last three renewals.
“We were very happy with him going into the Royal Whip,” said the trainer. “But we knew there would be a lot more improvement to come.
“We were delighted with what he did in the race and how he's come out of it.”
5 – Onesto (Fabrice Chappet; Stephane Pasquier)
The first of two French challengers, connections for Onesto will be quietly confident as he appears to improve with every run.
Landmark victory came on his last run in the Group One Grand Prix De Paris, two furlongs further than this, but Saturday will be his first challenge outside of France.
Trainer Fabrice Chappet is eyeing up a tilt at the Arc three weeks later, presuming all goes well at Leopardstown.
6 – Stone Age (Aidan O'Brien; Seamie Heffernan)
Stone Age was the choice of Ryan Moore when finishing sixth in the Epsom Derby back in June.
Since then he has produced two fairly standard runs over in the States, but did win on both outings at home this year, including the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.
If he can bring that sort of form he could pose a threat to stablemate Luxembourg.
7 – Vadeni (Jean-Claude Rouget; Christophe Soumillon)
Another French star taking his first steps on Irish soil.
But unlike Onesto, Vadeni has an overseas win on his CV with a sensational triumph in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on his last outing.
The son of Churchill will be looking to continue his red-hot form in 2022, having also easily won the French Derby at Chantilly back in June. Based on this year alone, he could be the one to beat.
He could become Jean-Claude Rouget's second Champion Stakes winner after Almanzor won in 2016.
The post Irish Champion Stakes: Mishriff, Vadeni Top Seven Entered For ‘Win And You’re In’ Contest appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
