Databank: Your essential guide to Saturday's action with top tips
Databank: Your essential guide to Saturday’s action with top tips, race of the day, jockey to follow, perfect partners and trainer target
- Ryan Moore rides Auguste Rodin as the focus falls on Aidan O’Brian’s run
- Tom Marquand runs at happy hunting ground after winning eight Ascot races
The Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is the highlight of the day, with Aidan O’Brian looking to extend his 11 wins in the race.
He’s won the last four times and his three runners this year include Auguste Rodin, ridden by Ryan Moore.
Last year’s winner Luxembourg, also O’Brian’s, is included in the race.
There are also big races at Haydock and Ascot.
Below is the essential guide to Saturday’s action.
Aidan O’Brian has a record 11 wins in the Irish Champion Stakes and eyes will be on Auguste Rodin at Leopardstown
RACE OF THE DAY
The Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown has been won by Aidan O’Brien a record 11 times, including the past four years. His three runners include last year’s winner Luxembourg. But the focus is on O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin, who is vying for favouritism. However, there have been only four winning favourites in the past 10 years.
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
TOM MARQUAND, operating at a 20 per cent strike rate, finds Haydock a happy hunting ground. His eight wins there this season are more than any jockey. He has chances of adding to that with NAQEEB (2.25) and REMAADD (4.45).
TRAINER TO FOLLOW
ED BETHELL has had five winners from 11 runners. That makes REGIONAL (Haydock, 3.35) a good each-way shout in the Sprint Cup, especially given he is two from two at the track. Bethell also runs POINT LYNAS (Haydock, 1.50).
BIG DAY FOR
Apprentice LUKE CATTON, who is reunited with QUINAULT (Ascot, 2.35) after being on board for three of his six wins this season.
Luke Catton is reunited with Quinault after being on board for three of his six wins this season
WHAT’S IN A NAME
JEFF KOONS (Ascot, 3.45) Named after American artist, whose sculptures include balloon animals produced in steel.
WATCH OUT FOR
FORTINO (Kempton, 1.35)
Makes British debut for Gosden stable in the September Stakes.
HORSES FOR COURSES
LOOK OUT LOUIS (Haydock, 4.10) has won on both track starts.
TRAINER TARGET
ED WALKER has won the Fever-Tree Handicap at Ascot three times in the past five years. He runs DARK TROOPER(4.55).
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
Shaquille holds strong claims in the Sprint Cup at Haydock but the best bet on the card is in the preceding race, in which Euchen Glen (Haydock, 3.00, nap) looks overpriced following his recent efforts in competitive handicaps.
The Jim Goldie-trained veteran finished third behind Sweet William at Goodwood on his penultimate start before finishing only two-and-a-quarter lengths behind Ebor winner Absurde at York. The handicapper has raised him only 1lb for that effort which means he is still 4lb lower than his victory in this race in 2020 and 8lb lower than when third last year.
Elsewhere, Espresso Freddo (Kempton, 5.45, nb) should take a step forward from his recent stable debut for Adrian Wintle at Bath. The nine-year-old has a much better record at Kempton than any other track with two wins and seven placed efforts, and he now returns to this venue for the first time since February 2022 off a career low mark of 57.
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