'It's very strange' - O'Brien admits Moore's quarantine isn't ideal prep time

Aidan O'Brien on Wednesday admitted to his concerns over Ryan Moore's unusual preparation for Irish Champions Weekend, which consists of a fortnight's house-bound quarantine due to Ireland's Covid-19 restrictions.

Moore flew to Ireland after riding at Goodwood on Saturday, but O'Brien has yet to see his number-one jockey since his arrival and says it will not be easy for him to be at his brilliant best next weekend.

O'Brien said on Wednesday: "I haven't even seen Ryan yet, all I've done is spoken to him on the phone. I see the dinners going off out to him every day, the poor fella. He gets the work videos and work reports, but he's been in total lockdown since Saturday night. It's very strange and very different, but that's the way it has to be unless there's a rule change.

"It was always the plan that Ryan would come over for that weekend, and he has to do two weeks in a house with no riding out. He isn't able to move outside the house. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have the address of the house he's in.

"It's difficult because Ryan is an athlete and, like all athletes, you have to train. Can you imagine a soccer player being expected to go out and play a match after being put in a house for two weeks? It's not easy. It's very difficult, but Ryan was prepared to do it, he wanted to do it, and we were delighted he did."

The main reason Moore is making such a sacrifice is to ride Magical in the Irish Champion Stakes.

The superstar mare has won five Group 1s, earned more than €4 million in prize-money and pushed Enable to the pin of her collar on a couple of occasions but, according to the man who knows her best, we have still to see the very best of Magical.

O'Brien said: "She's a great mare and owes nobody anything. She's raced against the best, but we feel we haven't really seen the very best of her yet. Some day, when everything falls right, she'll be at the height of her powers.

"She's a seriously high-rated and incredibly consistent mare at the moment, and just a little bit under some of those horses she's running against. That's why we keep tweaking things as we go along, to see if we can get her to show everybody what she shows us at home every day.

"She's incredible but people probably haven't see her very best yet. It could come one of these days."

Magical: the main reason for Ryan Moore making the journey over to IrelandCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Brien is hoping Ghaiyyath, the world's highest-rated horse on turf this year, will make the trip to Leopardstown for the Irish Champion Stakes to add handsomely to the occasion, and Japan could join Magical in combat.

"Japan came back from Ascot with very sore soles on both feet," said his trainer. "He was lame for a few days and we feel it was a proper legitimate excuse for his run at Ascot. We had to ride him out barefoot for ten days and he's come on nicely. I think it will be very interesting to see how he gets on. He's very well. We'd be delighted if Ghaiyyath came over."

The Ballydoyle team looks as strong as ever for Irish Champions Weekend, with impressive Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Peaceful set to contest the Matron Stakes, next year's 2,000 Guineas favourite Battleground being geared up for a crack at the National Stakes, and 2019 Irish Derby hero Sovereign set to lead the charge in the Irish St Leger.

O'Brien said: "Peaceful has come out of France well. Donnacha's filly [Fancy Blue] has progressed with every run and we were delighted to be beaten by Donnacha at Chantilly really. Peaceful has had a break and is doing very well. We're looking at the Matron for her.

"Battleground is a big, powerful horse who has done well physically since Goodwood. He is versatile and has handled good ground and slowish ground. It was always the plan to go to the National Stakes after Goodwood.

"Sovereign had a lovely run in the King George. We think he'll be okay over a mile and six. If the ground is slow it will be no problem to him either."

Irish Champion Stakes entries

National Stakes entries

Irish St Leger entries

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