SBC News Entries for Irish Champions Weekend almost double 2013 level

Entries for Irish Champions Weekend almost double 2013 level

IrelandchampsInitial entries for the Premier Handicaps on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September are well up on previous years.

A total of 193 entries have been received, boasting a combined value of €600,000 (£474,702). The corresponding races in 2013 attracted 100 entries. 36 have been received from Britain and one from France.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Petingo’ Handicap, to be run over one mile and six furlongs at Leopardstown on Saturday has attracted 51 horses, seven of which are trained in Britain. Havana Cooler, from the Luca Cumani yard and Mark Johnston’s Swivel look strong contenders while Panama Hat, Artful Artist, Bayan, Winter Lion and Stocktons Wing head the home defence.

Also at Leopardstown on the opening day is the seven furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Sovereign Path’ Handicap for which 48 horses have been entered. Six UK-trained horses are entered for this including Almargo and Rene Mathis who finished first and second at Goodwood recently. Brian Ellison’s Galway Festival winner Baraweez would hold a leading chance if taking up his entry. Dalkova was a listed race winner at Galway and could represent Johnny Murtagh. Unbeaten in two starts, Stay De Night may carry Dermot Weld’s hopes in the race while Michaelmas could be among Aidan O’Brien’s runners.

18 of the 43 entries in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Handicap over six furlongs at the Curragh on Sunday are trained in Britain. Line Of Reason was the winner of the Paddy Power Scurry at the course in June for trainer Paul Midgley while Out Do won the historic Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon for David O’Meara. Robert Le Diable is a five-time winner in France and a rare French entry in an Irish Handicap and could represent trainer Didier Prod’Homme. The Tommy Stack-trained Great Minds would be among the leading Irish contenders as would Lady Mega and Burn The Boats.

Five British horses are among the 51 entries for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Northfields’ Handicap for which the home team looks particularly strong. John Oxx’s Tipperary winner Ebasani is a probable runner in this race and could be joined by the smart Roheryn from the Ger Lyons stable, Dermot Weld’s dual winner Massinga and Tony Martin’s star Thomas Edison.

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