Point Lonsdale is another runner for Aidan O’Brien this weekend. He was back in eighth of ten on his previous start in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, finishing 29 lengths behind Hukum.
He has mixed it in Group 1 company with limited success, and others make stronger cases once again this weekend.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/10/23 | ASC | 10 | Sft | 9-7 | 4 |
| 09/09/23 | LEO | 10 | Gd | 9-9 | 6 |
| 29/07/23 | ASC | 12 | GS | 9-9 | 8 |
| 02/06/23 | EPS | 12 | GF | 9-2 | 3 |
| 12/05/23 | CHS | 10.5 | Sft | 9-3 | 1 |
Jim Crowley takes the ride on Alfaila this weekend. The Owen Burrows-trained runner made a dominant return to the track in late July, as he finished half a length clear of My Prospero in the G2 York Stakes.
He has won four from eight in stakes company, but is easily one to keep on side in the Irish Champion Stakes this weekend.
Luxembourg will be looking to successfully defend the race that he won in impressive fashion 12 months ago. On that day, the Aidan O’Brien runner finished half a length clear of Onesto.
However, it hasn’t been plain sailing for the four-year-old this term, most recently finishing eighth lengths behind Hukum in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Onesto will be the ride of Frankie Dettori in Ireland this weekend. The four-year-old was well held in Group 1 company on his previous start, as he finished fourth and three lengths behind Inspiral.
There are questions to answer in this company, as he also finished second in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2022.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/10/23 | LON | 12 | GS | 9-5 | 3 |
| 09/09/23 | LEO | 10 | Gd | 9-9 | 7 |
| 13/08/23 | DEA | 8 | GS | 9-5 | 4 |
| 27/11/22 | TOK | 12 | GF | 8-9 | 7 |
| 02/10/22 | LON | 12 | VSft | 8-13 | 10 |
Hollie Doyle reunited with Nashwa in the Irish Champion Stakes this weekend for John & Thady Gosden. She is a high-class performer on her day, but she has struggled throughout 2023, with her only victory coming in Group 1 company in France.
Since then, she was narrowly beaten over a mile at Goodwood by Al Husn in a messy race and last time out at York in the Group 1 Juddmonte International when only a length behind Mostahdaf.
Big player on that form but has been well tried already this season.
The big Aidan O’Brien runner this weekend comes in the form of G1 Derby winner Auguste Rodin. He has been slightly disappointing at periods this season though, after bombing out in both the G1 2,000 Guineas and G1 King George VII and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
He will need to respond after finishing 127 lengths behind Hukum in the latter, but a return to a mile and two could bring out the best in him.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/23 | LEO | 10 | Gd | 9-3 | 1 |
| 29/07/23 | ASC | 12 | GS | 8-12 | 10 |
| 02/07/23 | CUR | 12 | Gd | 9-2 | 1 |
| 03/06/23 | EPS | 12 | GF | 9-2 | 1 |
| 06/05/23 | NMK | 8 | Sft | 9-2 | 12 |
Al Riffa is a runner for Joseph O’Brien in the Group 1 this weekend. The three-year-old has kept high-quality company already this season, and should be a solid contender based on his narrow second behind Ace Impact over a mile and two at Deauville.
He could be among the most exciting runners in this race.
The Kevin Stott ride in the big race this weekend comes on board King Of Steel. The Roger Varian runner is yet to win in Group 1 company, but there is an expectancy that the big win is coming.
King Of Steel finished a close second in the Derby earlier this season, before winning the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was a competitive third in the G1 King George VII and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on his latest effort.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/10/23 | ASC | 10 | Sft | 9-3 | 1 |
| 09/09/23 | LEO | 10 | Gd | 9-3 | 4 |
| 29/07/23 | ASC | 12 | GS | 8-12 | 3 |
| 23/06/23 | ASC | 12 | GF | 9-2 | 1 |
| 03/06/23 | EPS | 12 | GF | 9-2 | 2 |
Shane Foley takes the ride on John Harrington-trained Sprewell this weekend. The three-year-old has a lot to find on form with Auguste Rodin, having finished behind his reappearing rival in both the G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby.
However, he has already won over a mile and two at Leopardstown this year, but huge improvement will be required this weekend.
