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

The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.45 Saturday) is the headline act of what will be a fantastic two days of racing at Leopardstown and the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend. St Mark's Basilica won a vintage renewal from Tarnawa last year and this year's line-up looks set to live up to the race's lofty billing. We run through four of the main contenders for the vying for the winner's share of the €1 million pot . . .

Vadeni

Form 3-5111

Strengths Has arguably looked the best of this year's Classic generation after he followed up his dominant victory in the Prix du Jockey Club with a narrow success in the Coral-Eclipse. A mile and a quarter looks his ideal trip and he is capable on any ground. Along with Luxembourg and Onesto, he will be in receipt of 6lb from the older horses.

Weaknesses He may be the best of the Classic generation, but how much value is there in that tag with many of the top three-year-olds disappointing as the season has progressed? Plenty believe he was a fortuitous winner of the Eclipse, with Mishriff only beaten a neck despite a nightmare start and this will be his first start on a left-handed track.

Odds 6-4

What they say Christophe Soumillon, rider

"He had a small break for a month and a half. Jean-Claude [Rouget] will have given him a chance to grow up a bit and take a bit of muscle. Hopefully he'll have the same ability to quicken. It's always easier when you have a horse like him with a great turn of foot, but also when they relax, especially when racing overseas in the best races. The way he did it at Sandown indicated to me that he'll be able to do well at a track like Leopardstown."

Mishriff

Form 4-0232

Strengths One of the most proven performers in the sport with masses of prize-money and great runs in some of the world's best races to his name. A mile and a quarter seems to still be his sweetspot trip. Hardly disgraced when second to Baaeed in the Juddmonte International and was arguably an unlucky second to Vadeni in the Eclipse.

Weaknesses Despite those solid recent runs, it has been more than a year since Mishriff won and he is prone to being slowly away from the stalls. Has form on soft ground but his best performances have all come on quicker going, so the rain expected to fall at Leopardstown this week may not help.

Odds 7-2

What they say Ted Voute, racing manager to owner Prince Faisal

"Obviously with a stud career on the horizon it would be nice to get another win next to his name. He is in good order and it looks the right race for him as he likes going left-handed."

Luxembourg

Form 111-31

Strengths Unbeaten as a juvenile and there was nothing wrong with his third in the 2,000 Guineas before injury ruled him out of the Derby, a race for which he had been favourite. Has form on good and soft ground and won on his return to action in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes last month. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has won the last three Irish Champions, and has won a record ten in total.

Weaknesses This could be the biggest test of his career and he needs to prove he has what it takes to hang at this level. Was far from convincing in that comeback victory at the Curragh, and will need to improve a fair bit to have a say here and in the Arc.

Odds 4-1

What they say Aidan O'Brien, trainer

"We were very happy with him going into it [the Royal Whip], but we knew there would be a lot more improvement to come. We were delighted with what he did in the race and how he's come out of it. We knew that race was the only real chance we had to run him before the Irish Champion and he needed a run before going to Leopardstown."

Onesto

Form 2-8151

Strengths Made the breakthrough at Group 1 level when victorious in the Grand Prix de Paris over two furlongs further than the Irish Champion. Has improved on Racing Post Ratings with each run this season and should handle easy ground.

Weaknesses Will he be as effective returned to a mile and a quarter? The step up to a mile and a half seemed to be a major benefit at Longchamp and he may not have the raw pace of some of his rivals, although connections are convinced otherwise.

Odds 7-1

Onesto's connections celebrate after his victory in the Grand Prix de ParisCredit: Sam Hendry

What they say Fabrice Chappet, trainer

"The first plan is to go for the Irish Champion, but, all being well, he could go for the Arc three weeks afterwards. He's in great form. He had a little break after his last run, but he's getting ready again and I'm very happy with him. He had no problem with the trip at Longchamp, but he can run a mile and a quarter the same way. He was very unlucky in the French Derby and he definitely has enough speed to be as good at that trip."

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Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.45 Saturday, Leopardstown)

Coral: 6-4 Vadeni, 7-2 Mishriff, 4 Luxembourg, 13-2 Onesto, 10 La Petite Coco, 14 Alenquer, 16 Stone Age, Tuesday, 25 Broome, 40 Boundless Ocean, 50 Duke De Sessa

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

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