Free Eagle© Photo Healy Racing
With Golden Horn and Gleneagles unsurprisingly dominating the headlines for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes in recent days, the Dermot Weld-trained Free Eagle comes in a little under the radar for this afternoon's Leopardstown Group One.
The lightly-raced four-year-old claimed Royal Ascot glory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes in June and that remains his only start of the year.
He ran an excellent race in atrocious conditions when third in last year's Champion Stakes at Ascot, but Weld is hoping for a sound surface.
"We had a hold-up before Ascot, but he put in an excellent performance to win his Group One," the trainer said.
"He had a nice break after Ascot, his progress has been good and straightforward and we're looking forward to the weekend.
"It's very hard to put into pounds how much he has to improve, but he has to improve and I think it's possible provided the ground is good to firm.
"They (Gleneagles and Golden Horn) are two outstanding colts. Gleneagles is the champion miler of Europe, if not the world, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't get the 10 furlongs. He's a very relaxed horse and a high-class horse.
"What can you say about Golden Horn? He is the champion."
Free Eagle's big-race jockey Pat Smullen said: "He's a very, very good horse, as we always said we thought he was.
"He's had a little bit of an interrupted campaign, but he's in very good form and he's been geared up for the Irish Champion Stakes since his great win at Royal Ascot.
"From day one he always worked differently - he always gave us an extremely good feel.
"I always knew he had a lot of ability and it was unfortunate that he has had a few hiccups along the way, but he's in tremendous form now and he's starting to show the ability that we always knew he had." The Grey Gatsby claimed the scalp of dual Derby winner Australia in last year's renewal and is back to defend his crown for Kevin Ryan.
The admirable grey was touched off by Free Eagle at Ascot and has since finished behind Golden Horn at Sandown and York.
Ryan is another trainer keeping his fingers crossed for dry weather.
He said: "We're keeping an eye on the ground.
"He's in great form and we'd love to run him, but he won't run if it's soft.
"We're in the lap of the gods."
Seven-times Group One winner Cirrus Des Aigles makes his first appearance in Ireland.
Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe is thrilled with the condition of her French superstar ahead of his first start since May.
She said: "Going to Ireland is something we had to do some time and now he is doing it, so I am very pleased.
"He is looking better than ever at the moment. He is well and fresh and he was happy to go in the van to go the airport before he left.
"I think there is at least a bit of rain forecast, so we will see what arrives. I don't mind too much.
