Best Of Bets

Tag: irish champions stakes

  • Irish Champion Weekend | Four To Follow – Saturday

    Irish Champion Weekend | Four To Follow – Saturday

    It’s Ireland’s richest weekend, with some of the biggest prizes on offer and chance to write themselves into the history books, alongside legends of the games. Today we’re at Leopardstown for the older horses. The feature is the Irish Champion Stakes, with another competitive field going to post. Can Auguste Rodin defend his title? Find out below.

     

    Beware The Brits

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:15 – Solonaway Stakes (Group Two) – Maljoom @ 3/1 (BetVictor)

    The Brits have a fantastic record in this race, with seven out of the last ten winners coming from over the Irish Sea. And it looks like it could be the same story. Maljoom was last seen in the Juddmonte International, which looked like an unusual route to go down. He’s now back down to his favoured mile, and has plenty of form to try and back up. He finished second behind Notable Speech in the Sussex Stakes and third behind Charyn in the Queen Anne. Dropped in class and first time cheekpieces, makes him look attractive to beat Diego Velazquez.

    Watch out for Poker Face for Simon & Ed Crisford. He always performs to his best at the end of the season, with an unbeaten two-year-old season back in 2022, two out of three wins last season and looks primed after finishing second in the Celebration Mile. That came on ground he didn’t suit so well, but will be fine over here. Worth considering at 10/1 (BetVictor).

     

    Watching From Above

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:50 – Coolmore Matron Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Fallen Angel @ 7/2 (William Hill)

    She hasn’t been seen since winning the Irish Guineas, but Fallen Angel is ready to go again. And the form from both the Irish and British Guineas have worked wonders in her favour. And after seeing her in person just this week, she looked ready for the challenge. And when Wathnan Racing buy her the week before her big date, they know that something is up. She’s an extremely talented filly that should put Porta Fortuna in her place.

    Don’t forget about the tough Rogue Millennium either. Her last race was in the Prix de Rothschild, with the form backed up again by Mqse De Sevigne. She finished second in last year’s race, so does have a good performance in her. She won’t mind the ground and proves a stiff challenge for the three-year-olds. 16/1 (BetVictor).

     

    Star Spangled Champion

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:25 – Irish Champion Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Los Angeles @ 13/2 (BetVictor)

    Reading the quotes on Economics doesn’t look good. It seems that whilst he is a good horse, he is representing the sponsors of the race. Plus he hasn’t won a Group One either and the form from the Dante hasn’t worked out well, and the form from his latest run in France hasn’t been tested. Auguste Rodin is a difficult character and is hard to be with, especially when there’s only been two dual winners.

    So I’ve opted for the three-year-old Los Angeles. Derby third, Irish Derby winner and Great Volitguer winner, against the St Leger favourite. He’s been consistent and reliable throughout this season, and has the added bonus of C&D having won the Derby trial here back in April. To say he’s second string is a bit of an insult, and upsets aren’t uncommon in this race.

     

    Fast And Furious

    Embed from Getty Images

    4:35 – Pentingo Handicap (Premier Handicap) – Nurburgring @ 13/2 (General)

    After succeeding at the Galway Festival over hurdles, Nurburgring is looking for another big handicap prize, this time on the flat. Surprisingly he’s dropped a pound after not impressing over a mile and one furlong last time out, but this mile and five furlong handicap will be much more up his street. He hasn’t done well in the two flat handicaps in his career, but with a win under his belt this summer, he can go big prize hunting again.

    Another jumper trained by Joseph O’Brien is Comfort Zone. He finished second in this race last year off a mark of 86, and is only two pounds higher this season. He came near at Galway, finishing third over hurdles, which has been backed up by winner The Wallpark since. But with this the only flat handicap on his agenda, it’s worth siding with him. 11/1 (William Hill).

    Click here for St Leger Tips.

    The very best of luck!

  • Four To Follow: Leopardstown Ladies

    Four To Follow: Leopardstown Ladies

    As we approach the end of the season (and the start of the jumps!), the stars are all reappearing for one final hurrah! First up is Irish Champions weekend, and we head to Leopardstown for a tasty looking Irish Champion Stakes. There’s also the small matter of the Sprint Cup at Haydock as well. Here’s this week’s four to follow.

     

    Leopardstown

    Long Time, No Tah-see

    Embed from Getty Images

    2:45 – Coolmore ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (Group One) – Tahiyra @ Evs (General)

    Tahiyra is an undoubtable talent, but she’s only ran three times this season. Which makes her return to the track all the more tantalising. However, the Matron Stakes has the habit to throw up some real surprises. No favourite has won since Legatissimo in 2015, and has been the only favourite to win in the last 10 years. But Tahiyra is clear on ratings, versatile on ground with a slight bias to firmness, and has every right to be favourite, even after a period off the track.

    To follow her in, Just Beautiful looked as though she could become a talking horse when winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes all the way back in May. But she’s been off the track for some time, and is making a crucial step up to Group One level. Her previous form says she’ll get the ground, and has a couple of decent formlines. Interesting at 9/1 (William Hill)

     

    Not Just The Boys

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:20 – Irish Champion Stakes (Group One) – Nashwa @ 11/2 (General)

    This looks, on paper, one of the races of the season. Two three-year-olds who have captured the racing world, plus plenty of Group One experience in the mix as well. But it’s Nashwa I’m drawn to after her performance in the International Stakes. Many people disregarded her, but she finished in between, arguably, the two best horses in the race. She was Only beaten by a length that day, and comes to Leopardstown with conditions on her side, plus John Gosden’s record in the race in recent years puts her in the frame and make the race her own.

    Spare a thought for Luxembourg who seems to be totally disregarded, despite having a good career, three Group One’s including the race last year. He wasn’t up to standard, but you could argue he drops to a preferred trip here. And just because Ryan Moore is on the other horse, doesn’t necessarily means he’s on the right one. Each-way claims at 10/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, BetUK)

     

    Too E-Aasy

    Embed from Getty Images

    4:30 – Paddy Power Stakes (Group Three) – Al Aasy @ 11/4 (William Hill)

    It beggars belief how Al Aasy is second favourite. His performances, whilst at Listed level, have been eye-catching and he steps up in trip for the first time since his reappearance in the Fred Archer. But he has narrowly been denied at the top level, and it’s that previous Group One experience that may just put him over the line against Adelaide River, who hasn’t won this season, or since his debut. Whilst Adelaide River has disappointed, Al Aasy has made smooth progress and can follow up here at Leopardstown.

     

    Haydock

    Slam Dunk Finish

    Embed from Getty Images

    3:35 – Sprint Cup (Group One) – Shaquille @ Evs (William Hill, BetVictor)

    Shaquille has very much picked up the gauntlet as the top sprinter of the season. From one Northern horse (Highfield Princess) to another, Shaquille has impressed with the turn of foot unlike any other sprinter at the top level. He may dwell at the start, but his jet engine propels him to the front to pick of those who are no match for him. And on paper, it looks another open and shut case.

    Or does it? Sacred was incredibly unlucky at Royal Ascot when denied by 80/1 shot Khaadem, and has been out for revenge since. Whilst previous form suggests his best distance is over seven, on quicker ground it’s much better over six. It was evident when disappointing in the City of York Stakes last time out, and the quick turnaround plus drop in trip may give him a chance to spoil Shaq’s shindig. Next best in the field at 17/2 (William Hill)

    The very best of luck!