Rivals to fall under the spell of the Fairy in the Irish Champion Stakes
ACROSS the Irish Sea, Leopardstown hosts a top-quality card featuring two Group One contests. The most prestigious of these is the richly-endowed Irish Champion Stakes and Nathaniel bids to continue John Gosden and William Buick’s golden season. Having won the Coral Eclipse on his seasonal reappearance, Nathaniel was just denied successive King George VI Stakes by Danedream last month and the Galileo colt seeks compensation here.
Despite winning the Eclipse over 10 furlongs I have always thought Nathaniel is better over further. It wasn’t the greatest renewal of that Sandown race and John Gosden has only had one winner in the last fortnight.
SNOW FAIRY will take her career earnings to over £4 million with a victory tomorrow and she looks the most likely winner in the 10 furlong showpiece. Now a six-time Group One winner, she put up one of her best ever displays in this race last year when she just failed to nail So You Think. That showed the track holds no fears and an impressive reappearance win in France last time demonstrates she is as good as ever.
In the Matron Stakes EMULOUS is simply too big to ignore at a standout 3/1 with Coral. A most taking winner of this Group One 12 months ago, I can forgive a poor run at Ascot last time. Back on home soil and with all her rivals having questions to answer, Dermot Weld’s daughter of Dansili is the one to beat.
■ Pointers…
EMULOUS 4.40pm Leopardstown
(Tomorrow)
SNOW FAIRY 5.45PM Leopardstown
(Tomorrow)