'I'm hoping that we'll be able to right what happened at York' - Aidan O'Brien on Constitution River Aidan O’Brien is backing Constitution River to “right what happened at York” in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. O’Brien blamed himself for his star three-year-old’s defeat in last month’s Juddmonte International, where he could finish only third behind the reopposing Item and Almaqam. With a promise of different tactics this weekend, the French Guineas, French Derby and Coral-Eclipse winner is looking to restore his reputation on home turf. “I’m hoping that we’ll be able to right what happened at York, we think he’s a very good horse and it’s going to be interesting,” said O’Brien. “I suppose what really went wrong is the horse we had to make the running (Action) ended up not being quick enough and he couldn’t get any closer than he was, then we thought John’s (Gosden) horse (Devil’s Advocate) was going to go, but obviously they didn’t have any intention of going. “That meant Wayne (Lordan) was left in front on Hawk Mountain, which was far from ideal – he didn’t like being in front and when Wayne had to squeeze him along to make the running they ended up going a little bit quick. “Constitution River jumped and was a little bit keen, he charged over the road and ended up being second. Then John’s horse spotted him and kept him company for a little bit of the race and then Ryan (Moore) felt he had to get out and he ended up having to go and challenge Wayne too early and then he ended up there (in front) too early.” O’Brien has won six of the past seven renewals of the Irish Champion Stakes, with only William Haggas’ Economics in 2024 preventing a clean sweep in recent years. Last season Delacroix took the spoils and his trainer believes Constitution River is a level above. He continued: “He’s very high-class. Delacroix was a very good horse and he was a big horse as well and fast, but this fella is quick and aggressive and could get further. He compares very favourably to him, I would say. “Anything that went with him at York finished out the back, so I’d say that was a very good run considering. It was very unusual that he was able to be that aggressive and go that early and still finish where he did, but the acid test is the next day and we’re just hoping we can put it right.” Connections of Item are keen to strike while the iron is hot with their colt, whose only defeat to date came on soft ground in the Derby at Epsom. Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, said: “He was obviously a good winner at York. We’re taking on the Ballydoyle horse and Ed Walker’s horse (Almaqam) again, they are two very talented colts and it’s going to be a good race, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.” While Constitution River’s connections feel the race played against him at York, Mahon is keen to point out Item did not get the clearest of runs either. He added: “When you get stopped in your run inside the final furlong and a half in a Group One, not many horses get going again and get back up to win, so that in itself was a good performance, to be able to do that. “We’re looking forward to it. It will be a tough race but an exciting one, hopefully.” Having had to bide his time through the fast ground summer, Walker is hoping Almaqam may now get more suitable conditions. “He’s got some great form in the book – he’s beaten Ombudsman once before, although he was getting 3lb. He ran very well in the Champion Stakes last year and obviously the Tattersalls Gold Cup (win) was his career best up until York,” Walker told Meridian Media. “We’re going into the autumn now and hopefully he’ll get his conditions for a couple more spins. “I’ve always thought this race would suit him and we’re really excited to give it a go.”
