Dylan Thomas is now a uniform odds-on favourite to become the first back-to-back winner of Saturday's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes and complete a unique hat-trick for Kieren Fallon into the bargain.
Fallon will become the first jockey to win Leopardstown's feature event three times in succession if Dylan Thomas adds to last year's victory and that of Oratorio in 2005.
He looks to have a major chance of doing just that too as all firms reported Dylan Thomas yesterday to be an odds on favourite with Paddy Power slashing the four-time Group One winner to 8 to 11 from evens and Cashmans going 5 to 6 from a shade of odds against.
Last year's Breeders' Cup winner Red Rocks is a 9 to 2 second favourite with Powers and Richard Hughes has been booked for the ride on the horse who was behind Manduro and Dylan Thomas in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"He was a little off-song that day so it was a really good effort," said his trainer Brian Meehan. "He has come back to himself in the last few weeks and I'm very happy with his work."
Maraahel is another possible British runner but the South African trained ex-Ballydoyle horse Mullins Bay has been taken out of some lists as he is due to run in the Group Three Strensall Stakes today at York.
Mullins Bay will be ridden by John Murtagh who will be one of those interested in the formation of Aidan O'Brien's final team, and their jockey arrangements, at the weekend.
Duke Of Marmalade and one of Archipenko or Red Rock Canyon are expected to join Dylan Thomas but riding arrangements are likely to be finalised today.
Michael Kinane has ridden Duke Of Marmalade three times outside of Ireland this year but his one start at home, when fourth to Cockney Rebel in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, saw Seamus Heffernan take the mount.
Kinane is the most successful jockey in Champion Stakes history having notched a remarkable tally of six wins beginning with Carroll House 18 years ago at the Phoenix Park.
The Leopardstown authorities will take a look at the track today to decide if they will switch on the taps and water the course ahead of Saturday's double Group One card. The going is currently "good to firm." "There's no great urgency to it because it will only take very little to put it right," said course manager Tom Burke yesterday.
John Oxx throws two at the mile and a quarter maiden at Clonmel today and Fran Berry's mount Kallithea will not have to be a star to make a winning debut.
The 71-rated Belle's Ridge sets the standard on ratings while Oxx's other runner Shaiyadima has disappointed in two starts.
Berry could enjoy a good afternoon as Rolyn Rock has a decent chance in the mile and a quarter handicap after a run on the all-weather at Dundalk last time.
The Ballinrobe maiden winner Fiamma Fagioli holds a major chance in the apprentice claimer on official figures while Ruby Walsh's presence on Spiriton in a very moderate maiden hurdle looks significant.
BETTING: Irish Champion Stakes (Paddy Power): 8-11 Dylan Thomas, 9-2 Red Rocks, 5 Duke Of Marmalade, 8 Finsceal Beo and Maraahel, 33 Archipenko and Mullins Bay, 50 Red Rock Canyon.
n Horse Racing Ireland plan to hold talks with the management of Tralee racecourse after reports that the track could yet host racing in 2008 despite its directors recently voting to sell the site for development. Additional features at Ballybeggan Park could mean a delay in work beginning on the site which in turn may allow racing next year.
