GROUND CONDITIONS could yet conspire to rule Sea The Stars out of Saturday’s Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes but even if he does make it, lying in wait at Leopardstown for the world’s highest rated racehorse may be the cream of Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle powerhouse.
O’Brien has six of the 11 entries remaining in the €1 million Leopardstown highlight after yesterday’s forfeit stage and while the Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory is, as expected, among them, the champion trainer has also pulled a surprise by leaving in Mastercraftsman.
The Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner finished runner-up to Sea The Stars in the Juddmonte at York two weeks ago. As well as Leopardstown, Mastercraftsman holds another Group One entry this weekend in Sunday’s Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp.
“We have not decided which way to go with Mastercraftsman. It was his first run back after a break at York and Johnny (Murtagh) just thought he got tired in the last half furlong. He was also a little heavier than we would have liked that day so we can’t totally be sure if he gets 10 furlongs or if he simply got tired,” O’Brien said yesterday.
“You have to remember his best ever run by far was over six furlongs (Phoenix Stakes) so it could be that he is a miler with loads of pace. We will have a better idea later in the week,” he added.
That comment looks to apply to the shape of the race generally as Sea The Stars is long odds on to miss the race with some bookmakers (4 to 7 with Paddy Power) due to poor weather yesterday which softened the ground from a morning verdict of good.
“We are expecting sunny spells and showers on Tuesday, rain on Wednesday, and more sunny spells and showers after that,” said the Leopardstown manager Tom Burke.
Fame And Glory, however, remains on course for his first appearance since landing the Irish Derby in late June and the Montjeu colt looks certain to be guaranteed a decent pace in the Champion Stakes with a range of possible Ballydoyle pacemakers.
“The plan at the moment is for Fame And Glory to run. So far it has been so good with him. He has had a break and everything has gone well with him,” O’Brien reported. “The only reason he wouldn’t run is if the ground wasn’t safe but that doesn’t look like being a problem.”
Set Sail was nominated as a possible for the pacemaker role but O’Brien also has the option of running Red Rock Canyon, Rockhampton or the Group Three Gallinule winner Grand Ducal who is also entered in the Kilternan Stakes on the same card.
“What we don’t want is a Mickey-Mouse pace. A decent pace will suit everyone and set up the race for everybody,” he said.
Dermot Weld will also have a big-race choice to make later this week after leaving both his star older horses, Casual Conquest and Famous Name, in the Champion Stakes.
“Casual Conquest is very well and is a definite runner at Leopardstown and there is a possibility that Famous Name will run as well,” he said yesterday.
Ruby Walsh can successfully add some National Hunt flavour to the world’s only licensed beach race-meeting – Laytown, Co Meath – this evening.
Jump racing’s champion jockey teams up with his father Ted for the ride on Collingwood in the opening handicap over six furlongs and Collingwood’s proven credentials on the strand could be crucial.
