Hello there stranger! It’s been a while! How are things? Have you gotten through the summer in one piece?! I haven’t spoken to you since Ascot. Shameful on my behalf really. I apologise! There has been a lot on and between the jigs and the reels I couldn’t squeeze you in! Hopefully I can make up for my absence by picking out a few badly needed winners!

This weekend we are presented with a shiny new format that has been dubbed “Irish Champions Weekend” (ICW). Irish Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown fused together with Irish St. Leger day at the Curragh to make a very marketable and high quality weekend of racing. Ten Group races, of which five are Group 1’s, €3.7 million in prize money, at arguably two of Europe’s best racecourses. The early performance indicators of how well the initiative is actually attracting interest are encouraging. Most encouraging, perhaps, at this early stage, is that of the 16 races scheduled for the weekend 13 have attracted overseas competitors and of the 203 horses entered to run this weekend 52 (25.6%) are trained in the UK. Bear in mind the ICW is competing with the Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival in Doncaster this week too. So, at this early stage the signs are good and if attendances are any way acceptable I would think that HRI, Leopardstown, The Curragh and all other parties involved can give themselves a pretty well earned pat on the back. To create a new festival at this end of the season and have it work out is easier said than done, as the competition is fierce. In fairly quick succession you’ve got Arc Weekend, British Champions and Future Champions day, The Breeders Cup and some of the big international races in Hong Kong and places aren’t too far off either never mind Melbourne. To attract entries of this calibre is a testament to the people behind it and the owners and trainers who are so very keen to support it. Fair play folks.

Im really looking forward to Saturday as it could be my last days racing in Ireland for a while. Yes, I’ve decided to go straight and am moving to London in a fortnight to embark on my professional career! At this point Turf Talk is in the balance. But I’ll keep you posted on any developments, so for now don’t worry your pretty little head.

So, here we go. Your one stop shop for Irish Champions Weekend.

Day 1 – Leopardstown – Irish Champion Stakes Day

In my honest opinion, this is the better of the two days so if you can make your way to Leopardstown at all tomorrow I would really encourage you to do so. It’ll quare good, lad.

15:35 Ballylinch Stud E.B.F. Fillies Maiden – Not priced up yet but I’d imagine that filly of Kevin Prendergast’s will go of at the top as will the Joseph’s pick for Ballydoyle when the money comes. The one I like is Bocca Baciata for Jessie Harrington and Fran Berry. Ran well on debut over a mile and steps down to 7 for this. Decent mover and won’t mind the firm stuff hopefully. By a sire going places I think. Check the prices available, could be an each way shot if she drifts.

16:05 John Deere Juvenile Turf Stakes (Group 3) – Austrailia won this last year. Ballydoyle are odds on to repeat that feat with John F Kennedy. They say that Mrs. Magnier holds the good names back for the good horses. I’d imagine this name was in the vault for a while. I wouldn’t disagree that this is well within his capability, even though it’s only his 3rd time to a racecourse. A forecast, or indeed reverse forecast with Tombelaine may well prove to be the bet of the race. Second in a Gr 3 last time over 7, he should be in the mix here.

16:40 Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. ‘Petingo’ Handicap – We are few in numbers, but I have met several others who are also fully paid up members of the Cassels Rock fan club. 10/1 available at the minute, in off the back of a win in the flat and over jumps, this son of Rock of Gibraltar’s isn’t half bad on his day and is going the right way. He appeals for an each way nibble, the 3lb claim will do no harm either. 1m 6 may be the only worry.

17:15 KPMG Enterprise Stakes (Group 3) – This is a bloody good horse race. The well touted Free Eagle makes his reappearance since being well held by Austrailia on this card 12 months ago. I’m a fan and a shade of odds on doesn’t put me off. Brendan Bracken won’t be far but I’m all about the Moyglare horse.

17:45 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) – No doubt that Tapestry is in flying form, but back to a mile at the prices, she looks vulnerable. Rizeena really does have stand out group 1 form over this trip and was the best part of 3 lengths better than Tapestry in the Coronation at Ascot. She also has a form line with Integral which would suggest she can hold off Fiesolana. If you haven’t guessed yet, Im pretty sweet on this one.

18:15 Clipper Boomerang Mile (Group 2) – No doubt that Darwin is sharp enough having got close to Kingman at Ascot. However, I backed Mustajeeb for the Jersey Stakes and was really impressed with him. I’m hoping he’ll go well again here.

18:50 Qipco Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) – Hard to see past Austrailia. Might not even have a bet and just enjoy it. The each way market has been scuppered too, by the 7 runners. However, on quick ground Trading Leather wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ran into second place.

19:20 Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. ‘Sovereign Path’ Handicap – You’ll surely allow me two against the field here!! Since February 2014 Sretaw has progressed from 67 to a current mark of 89. This daughter of Kalanisi is at the bottom of the weights, has a decent draw, has a very able man in Wayne Lordan on board and is obviously tough as an old boot. Colour Blue is consistent too, has a decent draw and I’m a very big fan of Connor King who claims 3. Have a look at the prices and see if you can go each way or not.

So thats it for day one….I think I’m going to run and have a coffee. Talk amongst yourselves for a minute.

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Ok! I’m back, refreshed and renewed!

Day 2 – Irish St. Leger Day

There is a great 8 race card on offer at The Curragh on Sunday kicking off at 14:05. Well worth the trip if you are available.

Let’s crack on, shall we.

14:05 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Handicap – Another competitive handicap with €90k in prize money to the winner. Never any harm to have a look at a few raiders when trying to decipher these handicaps as they are often the mistakes made by the handicapper. One I’ve looked at is the aptly named Watchable for the dynamic duo; Messrs O’Meara and Tudhope. Consistent and ha fallen in for a nice draw. The other I’ve gone for is Zalty of David Marnane’s. Both each way depending on prices.

14:40 Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blandford Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) – I don’t care about how much she cost. You can do what you like with your 6 mill, I honestly don’t care. You can beat eggs, but you can’t beat a bit of race fitness. Tarfasha.

15:10 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 3) – You might think I’ve lost it a bit here but I’m going for a bit of a curve ball. If you put a line throughout the Ascot run when the Ballydoyle string were most definitely not at their best, Ive actually quite like the way Guerre goes about his business. He is only 3lbs off Extortionist and Stepper Point on official ratings an is surely still unexposed. I just think as horse that can only improve, he surely represents some value.

15:40 Moyglare Stud Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) – Cursory Glance leads the way on official ratings and in the 2015 1000 Guineas market. Stepping up to 7f should suit and I’d fancy her 7/4 chance at the minute anyway. The danger lies with Bolger Id say.

16:15 Goffs Vincent O’brien National Stakes (Group 1) – Not a betting race, unfortunately. Gleneagles is potentially one to bolster your accumulators and Lucky 15s.

16:50 Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger (Group 1) – I thought he was going to go down in the winners enclosure after winning the Gold Cup he was having such a blow but thankfully Leading Light came out and won last time to put my mind at ante post mind at ease and show that he is still in good nick. You’d have to imagine a bit of an each way squeak lies with Brown Panther at the price.

17:20 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes – This is a nightmare. I’ve picked two each way squeaks again: Explosive Lady and Make on Madam. A nightmare.

17:50 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund ‘Northfields’ Handicap – Panama Hat is on a roll at the moment and is going for his sixth win on the bounce since June for Andy Oliver and Team Valor. Has progressed from a mark of 60 to 108 and still has more in the tank I reckon.

So thats it folks! Hopefully theres a few winners in there somewhere!! Enjoy what is set to be a great weekends racing!

Slán tamaillín,

T