Top class French-trained three-year-old Vadeni attempts to plunder yet another huge prize when he faces six rivals in Saturday's Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner is a red-hot 10-11 favourite with Betway to confirm Sandown form with Mishriff. John and Thaady Gosden's globetrotter is 4lb better off with Vadeni this time and would likely have won the Eclipse with a bit more luck in running.
It's a mouthwatering rematch and Aidan O'Brien, who has won the last three editions of this famous race, has strong claims with the highly-regarded Luxembourg.
Injury ruled the one-time Derby market leader out of that date with destiny but he's back on track after winning the Royal Whip Stakes on his return and the son of Camelot looks a major player this time.
Irish Champion Stakes runner guide
Alenquer - Ultra game winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May and shouldn't be judged too harshly on Coral-Eclipse performance where he was readily outpaced at the business end. Ground conditions would have been much quicker than ideal there. A return to some easier ground here is sure to help but conceding 6lb to the three-year-olds won't be easy.
Broome - Two lesser efforts in Group 1 company since dominating the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes. Small-field scenario a potential boost to his prospects providing he breaks on terms, which has become an issue for him recently. Best form at 1m4f so, like Alenquer, will struggle with the weight concession.
Mishriff - Would surely have won the Coral-Eclipse had he got the breaks sooner and there was no disgrace in his second to the mighty Baaeed in the Juddmonte International. He was ahead of the rest with something to spare and ran to an excellent level. Track and trip look just the ticket and he is 4lb better off with Vadeni this time (weight for age allowance down to 6lb from the 10lb it was in the Eclipse). However softening of the ground is not ideal.
Luxembourg - Group 1-winnning juvenile made favourite for the 2022 Derby at Epsom after his strong-finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas. Injury scuppered his Derby bid but there was lots to like about his return in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh despite the narrow winning margin. Likely to come on plenty for that and no surprise if he makes up for lost time.
Onesto - Career-best effort when finishing strongly from off the pace to win the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July. Looked well suited by the step up to 1m4f that day so might not prove as effective back two furlongs in trip, especially if they don't go much of a gallop. Looks a genuine Arc contender but doesn't appear to have ideal set-up here.
Stone Age - Produced career-best performance on the figures when winning the Derby Trial Stakes over this course and distance in May and although he couldn't back that up at Epsom, has run two solid races in defeat in the USA this summer (only beaten a length in the Group 1 Belmont Derby). Conditions look spot on for return and he could take some catching if able to kick off the front end.
Vadeni - Hugely impressive five length winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) who followed up against older rivals in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. That might not have been the case had unlucky in-running runner-up Mishriff got the gaps earlier. This top-class three-year-old won't mind which way the ground goes though and remains the one to beat.
Summary and tip
Vadeni is worthy of his place at the top of the market. The presence of Broome and Stone Age should ensure there is a gallop on here and that will suit the strong-staying Luxembourg who has the potential to make into a top-class performer for Ballydoyle.
Irish Champion Stakes odds with Betway
- 10-11 Vadeni
- 7-2 Mishriff
- 4-1 Luxembourg
- 8-1 Onesto
- 20-1 Alenquer
- 22-1 Stone Age
- 33-1 Broome
Get a £30 FREE BET if your first Acca loses!
18+, new UK customers only, T&Cs apply
Please Gamble Responsibly
Everyone at Reach is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or vi sit begambleaware.org.
