Who To Follow On Day One Of The Irish Champions Weekend 2023

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Trainer To Follow - Aidan O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien as ever has some leading chances across the afternoon at Leopardstown on the first day of the Irish Champions meeting.

In the opener he fields the favourite Content who was a nice winner at the track last time out and then in the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes, he lets his 2.4 million Guineas purchase Diego Velazquez look to make it 2/2, with Capulet, Bremen and Democracy also racing for the yard.

The first Group One of the afternoon is the Matron Stakes and although a tough task Meditate is a nice each way price to try and reverse the form with Tahiyra.

O'Brien will be hoping that Auguste Rodin can bounce back to his Epsom Derby form and put his last run behind him in the Group One Irish Champion Stakes, with last year's winner Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale also going for the yard.

The Ballydoyle team have another favourite in the Group Two Dullingham Park Stakes with Victoria Road now getting his desired quick ground with Alfred Munnings and Salt Lake city looking to pick up the pieces.

Adelaide River holds leading claims in the Group Three Paddy Power Stakes dropping in grade and then in the finale, Broadhurst could be well handicapped off a mark of 93.

Jockey To Follow - Billy Lee

Billy Lee has been in fine form late running at a 17% strike rate for the last two weeks with four winners from 23 runners and he has some nice chances to extend that on Saturday.

In the opener he sits on the unbeaten Kitty Rose for trainer Natalia Lupini, with the filly being very impressive on debut and she should build on that.

Lee then teams up with Paddy Twomey on Deepone who lost his unbeaten record last time out but can hit the frame once more.

Another nice priced runner for Lee comes in the Group One Matron Stakes with Just Beautiful a nice winner last time out and should build on that again.

Teaming up with Ger Lyons he gets the leg up on Power Under Me who was a good fourth to Zarinsk last time out and then in the 1m5f Handicap he rides Golden Twilight.

Lee finishes the card on Dunum for Natalia Lupini who was a nice winner last time out and should go close again if being able to handle the 6lb rise.