Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish Champion Stakes - plus an early tip

Coral-Eclipse one-two Vadeni and Mishriff will renew rivalry on Saturday after featuring in a final field of seven declared for the Irish Champion Stakes (3.45) at Leopardstown.

The Group 1 has been won by a three-year-old in five of the last eight years and there is a strong contingent from that age group with Vadeni joined by fellow French contender Onesto, as well as the Aidan O'Brien-trained Luxembourg.

The Paddy Twomey-trained La Petite Coco was the most notable absentee.

O'Brien is triple-handed as he bids for a fourth straight success in the €1 million contest as he also runs Broome and Stone Age, while the William Haggas-trained Alenquer completes the line-up.

Vadeni will be having his first outing since winning the Eclipse in July for Jean-Claude Rouget and Christophe Soumillon, who combined to win the Irish Champion in 2016 with Almanzor.

The Aga Khan colt is looking for a four-timer following a brace of victories at Chantilly prior to Sandown – latterly in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club.

Mishriff will be ridden by Irish champion jockey Colin Keane for the first time as James Doyle, who rode the John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old in the King George and Eclipse, is out of action with a hand injury.

Keane has already delivered big-race success for a British-trained runner in Ireland this season, having plundered a first Irish Derby aboard the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover at the Curragh in June.

Luxembourg, who was long-time favourite for the Derby before injury ruled him out of the Classic, returned to action with a narrow success in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh last month.

Onesto was fifth behind Vadeni in the Prix du Jockey Club before winning the Grand Prix de Paris last time. Trained by Fabrice Chappet, the colt will be having his first run away from home soil.

Irish Champion runners and riders

AlenquerTom Marquand
BroomeWayne Lordan
Mishriff Colin Keane
LuxembourgRyan Moore
OnestoStephane Pasquier
Stone AgeSeamie Heffernan
Vadeni Christophe Soumillon

Irish Champion Stakes (3.45 Saturday, Leopardstown)

bet365: 11-8 Vadeni, 10-3 Luxembourg, 4 Mishriff, 7 Onesto, 16 Alenquer, 20 Stone Age, 33 Broome

Pedigree punting: Irish Champion Stakes verdict and 1-2 prediction

Vadeni comes into this race in form and unbeaten over this trip, although there has to be a slight question mark over the form of the Eclipse at present given the second and third have been beaten since, albeit by the great Baaeed in the Juddmonte. He can confirm form with Onesto, who has looked equally progressive this season and shouldn’t mind any rain.

1 Vadeni
2 Onesto

Kitty Trice, Racing Post bloodstock reporter

This content was first published in Kitty Trice's Pedigree Punting column in Wednesday's Racing Post Weekender. Read more from Kitty and star Weekender contributors such as leading tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy and exclusive columnist Ed Walker every week.

Big two set for intriguing Matron clash

Homeless Songs and Saffron Beach face off in a fascinating clash at Leopardstown in the Group 1 Coolmore America "Justify" Matron Stakes (4.55).

The Dermot Weld-trained Homeless Songs has not been seen in action since her scintillating victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas in May, but Ireland's highest-rated three-year-old returns from an 111-day absence.

Homeless Songs: will make her first start since running away with the Irish 1,000 Guineas in MayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

She will test herself against the year-older Saffron Beach, who won the Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot and then registered her second Group 1 success last time in the Prix Rothschild.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Tenebrism has two and a half lengths to make up on Saffron Beach, having chased her home at Deauville last month.

Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.45 Saturday, Leopardstown)

bet365: 11-8 Vadeni, 10-3 Luxembourg, 4 Mishriff, 7 Onesto, 16 Alenquer, 20 Stone Age, 33 Broome

2022 Irish Champion Stakes offers

• are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up .
• are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. You can get them, along with money-back specials and extra places, .
• have lots of offers, extra places and money-back offers. Sign up for a new account .
• To get a free bet from today, simply sign up to a new account .
• Don't have a account? They have an offer for new customers .
• have a new customer offer available. Sign up .
• New customers can claim free bets here and benefit from their money-back offers .
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

Read this next:

Irish Champion Stakes: strengths and weaknesses for the four main contenders

Stay ahead of the field with 50 per cent off the ultimate racing subscription. Enjoy the Racing Post digital newspaper and award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing. Plus, make informed betting decisions with our expert tips and form study tools. Head to the subscription page and select 'Get Ultimate Monthly', then enter the code WELCOME22 to get 50 per cent off your first three months.

First three payments will be charged at £17.48, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter.

Customers wishing to cancel will need to contact us at least seven days before their subscription is due to renew.