Irish Champion StakesThe Epsom Derby winner Motivator will arrive at Leopardstown today with his connections praying that the predicted ground conditions do indeed materialise for tomorrow's Baileys Irish Champion Stakes.
Motivator was one of 10 left in the Group One feature at yesterday's final declaration stage and the Michael Bell-trained colt looks like getting the racing surface he needs for his eagerly awaited clash with Azamour.
The Leopardstown authorities are now predicting "good to yielding" ground for tomorrow's big race after yet another revised weather forecast.
"It's due to start raining tonight and it could prevail through Friday with things improving on Saturday.
"Over all we are now expecting about 25mms of rain which is one inch. It's not an exact science but that is our best guess," said the Leopardstown racing manager Tom Burke yesterday.
Motivator's trainer Michael Bell has already stated that he will fly his stable star home if ground conditions are too fast with Newbury's Arc Trial the following weekend a possible alternative option for a Longchamp warm-up.
Aidan O'Brien will be triple handed at Leopardstown as he goes in pursuit of a third win in the race with both Mona Lisa and Ace joining Kieren Fallon's mount Oratorio in the line up. Dermot Weld, however, was still holding fire yesterday on whether or not Grey Swallow would attempt to fill in a rare Irish Group One blank for the trainer.
"The track is riding firm at the moment so we'll have to see if the rain comes," he said.
"It looks an outstanding race and I'm really happy with Grey Swallow so hopefully he can run. I can understand Leopardstown's dilemma as they can't water with so much rain forecast."
The defending champion Azamour was made an odds on favourite with Paddy Power after yesterday's declaration stage and his new big race jockey Christope Soumillon has also picked up a Group One ride on Michael Stoute's Chic in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.
Last year's runner up Attraction heads a 10-strong field that also includes this year's 1,000 Guineas heroines Virginia Waters and Saoire.
Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon team up for Amigoni's attempt on today's Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but it will be Frankie Dettori who takes the mount on Ballydoyle's St Leger favourite Scorpion in tomorrow's classic event.
Paddy Power cut Scorpion to 10 to 11 favourite from evens after the expected seven runners were left in the Leger at yesterday's declaration stage.
The final field also includes the O'Brien second string Avalon (Jamie Spencer) as the trainer goes in search of a third win in the race after Milan (2001) and Brian Boru(2003.)
In contrast it's an all-jumping card at Kilbeggan today where Mon Oiseau will be hoping for better luck in the handicap chase than on his previous visit to the track last month.
On that occasion he looked to have a race in the bag only for his claiming jockey to drop his whip and the horse drifted dramatically left handing a head victory to Il En Reve.
Now he faces the same course and distance and a 6lb hike in the ratings but Mon Oiseau does have the services of Conor O'Dwyer.
Last year's winner Rocking Ship comes here on the back of a win at Galway on Sunday but Mon Oiseau does get a handy weight concession.
The former Liverpool winner Leinster put in an encouraging effort on his last start at Ballinrobe when only beaten seven length behind the smart Carlesimo. Today's Beginners Chase looks a good opportunity for him.
Kylebeg Dancer broke her maiden at Galway on Monday and a quick follow up looks on the cards in the mares conditions hurdle.
Paddy Power bet: 10-11 Azamour, 11-4 Motivator, 11-2 Oratorio, 13-2 Grey Swallow, 16 Ace & Norse Dancer, 20 Alexander Goldrun, 100 Mona Lisa & Hazarista, 500 Temple Place.
