Irish champions weekend heads host of top-class action
Highlights include tomorrow's attempt on the Gr.1 Matron Stakes by Purr Along, and Sunday's bid by Pallasator (pictured) for the Gr.1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh - meanwhile, Trade Storm is in Canada for the Gr.1 Woodbine Mile (18.13 local time, 23.13 UK time, Sunday).
Jamie Spencer will ride the Johnny Murtagh-trained Purr Along at Leopardstown tomorrow on day one of Ireland's biggest weekend of racing. Murtagh had the Matron Stakes in mind when the filly ran disappointingly at Tipperary last time out, when fast ground was deemed unsuitable. She should give a better account tomorrow, but Gr.1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry and Gr.1 Coronation Stakes scorer Rizeena look formidable opponents. Spencer also rides the Ger Lyons-trained Brendan Brackan in the Gr.3 Enterprise Stakes (17.15), but for many racegoers the horse to watch is the Aidan O'Brien-trained Australia, easy winner of the Epsom and Irish Derbys and hot favourite to win the Gr.1 QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (18.50).
The Sir Mark Prescott-trained Pallasator made his debut Qatar Racing at York last month when finishing a highly-honourable fourth from the worst draw in the Betfred Ebor, but stepping from a handicap into a Group One on Sunday is a big task for a big horse. Ascot Gold Cup winner Leading Light, QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup winner Royal Diamond, and recent York heroine Pale Mimosa are among a number of tough opponents.
Pallasator (right, Luke Morris), finishes fourth in York's Ebor Handicap
Andrea Atzeni, who rides Pallasator for the first time, is in for a busy afternoon in Ireland for he also partners three other horses owned by Qatar Racing or partnerships. Atzeni is booked to ride Roherynfor Ger Lyons in the Gr.2 Blandford Stakes (14.40), the team's leading sprinter Extortionist for Olly Stevens in the Gr.3 Flying Five Stakes (15.10) and Fruity in a two-year-olds race (17.20) for trainer Clive Cox - however, he will be in opposition to the Kevin Prendergast-trained, Chris Hayes-ridden Beach Bellein the Gr.1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.
European racegoers have a feast of good viewing this weekend, for the St Leger meeting continues at Doncaster - interesting prospects in action for Qatar Racing include Aces, who is owned in partnership with Essafinaat, and who won on debut at Windsor recently. The Charlie Hills-trained colt runs in the opening Gr.2 Champagne Stakes (14.05) under Oisin Murphy, who also rides End Of Line for Andrew Balding in a mile handicap (18.05).
David Simcock, who trains the much-loved Trade Storm, said yesterday: "He has arrived safely in Canada and travelled well. He has been out for a walk and a trot and is in good form."
Jamie Spencer rides Trade Storm against ten rivals, although the victor for the past two years, Wise Dan, is an absentee. Recent course winner Kaigun is likely to start favourite, but Trade Storm, who was third last year, is in with a chance of going two places better and showed his wellbeing when narrowly touched off at York on his latest appearance.
Simcock added: "He was a little slow out of the gates last year and had a lot to do, in addition to having Wise Dan to beat."
Pictures: Laurence Squire