Aidan O’Brien’s Churchill raring to go ahead of QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes test at Leopardstown racecourse on Saturday
Churchill saw out this trip well when runner-up to Ulysses in the Juddmonte International on his last start and connections are hoping he can go one better on Saturday
AIDAN O'BRIEN is looking for a big run from Churchill in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Churchill runs over a mile and a quarter for the second time after his runner-up spot behind Ulysses in the Juddmonte International and O'Brien believes he will not fail for lack of stamina.
The Ballydoyle trainer told At The Races: "Ryan Moore was very happy with him at York, other than he didn't win.
"We said that he would improve for York, fitness wise, but it will be interesting. He's in good form.
"He's a big, solid horse and that race was over a mile and a quarter. It looked like he got it the trip, but, obviously, Leopardstown is a stiffer mile and a quarter.
"Ryan was very happy that he would get a mile and a quarter. He always had a lot of confidence in him and he rode him like that. That was the right thing to do.
"He was a Chesham winner as a two-year-old and very few horses that turn out that early keep going the way he's going."
Eminent bounced back to form with a convincing all-the-way win in a Group 2 over a mile and a quarter at Deauville last month.
"We're really looking forward to it," said Meade's son and assistant, Freddie.
"We've been very happy with him since his run in France. We achieved exactly what we wanted to achieve there - it served as a nice confidence-booster for him.
"I think this horse has done well to achieve what he has already this year as he's only just starting to mature and grow into his frame. He's seems to be getting there now.
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"It's a massive plus to have Frankie Dettori on our side. He's won this race a few (six) times and he's one of the world's best.
"We've drawn in stall one, so tactically it should be fairly simple and Frankie will ride him as he finds him."
O'Brien also runs Cliffs Of Moher and Taj Mahal while there is plenty of talent amongst the older brigade.
Ken Condon's Success Days always wears his heart on his sleeve and landed the biggest success of his career in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes in July.
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- 1.50 Haydock - Dee Ex Bee: 'Drops in class and can bounce back'
- 2.05 Kempton - Midterm: 'Tons of ability and showed that last time'
- 2.25 Haydock - Tasleet: 'Conditions are right up his street and you can forget his last run'
- 2.45 Ascot - Birchwood: 'Back to his best at Goodwood last time and had strong claims'
- 3.00 Haydock - Holmeswood: 'Plenty of speed and goes on any ground'
- 3.15 Kempton - Commodity: 'Proven over this course and distance already'
- 3.35 Haydock - Ballet Concerto: 'This is his best trip and he has a huge chance'
- 3.55 Ascot - Cape Coast: 'On the up and this trip is ideal'
- 4.10 Haydock - Ravenous: 'Knocking on the door and put in a top effort last time'
He is set to retire at the end of the campaign and his trainer wants to give him another chance or two at the top level.
"He was very tough at York. He did it the hard way and he wasn't for passing," said Condon.
"He'd been chinned a couple of times earlier in the season so it was nice for him to get his head in front and he's come out of the race super."
Moonlight Magic is another Group-race regular who has yet to strike at the top level.
Trainer Jim Bolger told www.godolphin.com: "He's won two Group 3 races and we're optimistic that he can win a Group 1 race before the year is out."
The Grey Gatsby, the winner in 2014 when trained by Kevin Ryan, has another go under the guidance of Dermot Weld, who is also represented by Zhukova.
Sir Michael Stoute sends over Poet's Word with Roger Charlton's Decorated Knight completing the line-up.