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Fields forming for Irish Champions Weekend stakes The Irish Champions Weekend is a new two-day meeting featuring 10 Group races (five Group 1 races) and is staged at Leopardstown on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday. The weekend features two iconic races, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Irish St Leger, and is one of the richest weekends on the international racing calendar with prize money of over €3 million spread over the two days. Australia, winner of the English and Irish Derbies, will face a maximum of 11 rivals when taking to the track once again in Saturday's Group 1, €1 million Irish Champion. The Leopardstown showpiece has drawn a number of Group 1 winners from Britain, headed by Roger Charlton's back-to-form Al Kazeem, who was second to The Fugue 12 months ago. The Grey Gatsby, who was supplemented at a cost of €75,000 Wednesday morning, and Mukhadram finished a respective second and fourth behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt in last month's Juddmonte International at York and could be ready for a rematch. Lady Cecil's Noble Mission, winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup, remains in the field, having had a break following his busy spring and early-summer campaign. O'Brien's international raiders Adelaide and Magician are currently still engaged in the race, along with stablemates Kingfisher and Hall of Mirrors. Jim Bolger's pair Parish Hall and Trading Leather, plus the Dermot Weld-trained Alkasser, complete the possible line-up. Tapestry, who lowered the colors of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Taghrooda in the Yorkshire Oaks, is in line to drop back to a mile for Saturday's Group 1, €300,000 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Coronation Stakes winner Rizeena is also one of 15 possibles for the Matron, which could feature Fiesolana, French challengers Thawaany and Kenhope, and the progressive Balansiya. Dermot Weld's exciting Free Eagle is still in the mix for the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes earlier on the card. Favorite for this season's Epsom Derby after an impressive debut win last season, he was beaten by Australia on his next start and injury has kept him off the track until now. Panama Hat and Brendan Brackan could take him on, while Aidan O'Brien has supplemented Hall of Mirrors. Top milers Gordon Lord Byron, Darwin, Top Notch Tonto, Brendan Brackan and Mustajeeb have been left in the Group 2 Solonaway Stakes. Leading Light can secure an illustrious classic double on Saturday when he bids to add the Group 1 Irish St Leger to last season's Doncaster St Leger victory. Winner of the Ascot Gold Cup back in June, the son of Montjeu has since landed a Group 3 trial for this race at the Curragh last month. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt will be partnered by son Joseph, who said: "He seems to have come out of his prep race at the Curragh really well. He idled in front that day but always does and won nicely. Ground or trip is not a massive problem for him. He is an uncomplicated horse and I can ride him handy or take my time and that makes my job very easy." A total of 16 horses have stood their ground for this race, including Brown Panther, who carries the colors of legendry footballer Michael Owen, and is trained for him by Tom Dascombe. Other British-trained horses to stand their ground are Biographer, Pallasator, Willing Foe, the rejuvenated Cavalryman and the 2012 St Leger hero Encke. Royal Diamond, who won the race in a thrilling finish back in 2012, is also likely to take his chance, while Dermot Weld has left both Forgotten Rules and Pale Mimosa in the race. Acomb Stakes winner Dutch Connection looks the class act in the Group 1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. The Dutch Art colt was second to John Gosden's promising Faydhan at Haydock before breaking his duck at Goodwood in impressive fashion. He was then sent off a relatively unconsidered 16-1 chance in a strong-looking renewal of the Acomb but came out on top. "His form looks stronger and stronger all the time so we're looking forward to it," trainer Charlie Hills said. Gleneagles, Highland Reel, John F Kennedy, Jamaica, War Envoy and Toscanelli are Aidan O'Brien's possible runners. Roger Varian's Cursory Glance is on target for the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, in which he could be joined by fellow British challengers Malabar and Osaila. Found, who was supplemented for the race, looks Aidan O'Brien's main hope, while Jim Bolger's Lucida is also likely to be well fancied. The O'Brien-trained Chicquita, not seen since winning last year's Irish Oaks, could make her debut for Group 2 Blandford Stakes. Carla Bianca, who arrives on a five-timer, Tarfasha, Vote Often and Roheryn are three-year-olds with chances, while British possibles include Sir Michael Stoute's Mango Diva. Maarek is due to turn out quickly in the Group 3 Flying Five Stakes after failing to figure at Haydock at the weekend. William Haggas has left in Muthmir, who has the Portland Handicap at Doncaster as another option, with Hamza, Extortionist, Stepper Point, Sir Maximilion and Wind Fire also still in the hunt. Guerre, not seen since Royal Ascot, is also among the 23 left in. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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