'It is a nervy week but nice nerves' - Murtagh on Zahrann ahead of Irish Champion Stakes Johnny Murtagh has reported that Zahrann's preparations have gone well and that the Night Of Thunder colt is set to take his place in the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown over Irish Champions Festival. Since shedding his maiden tag at Cork in May, Zahrann landed the King George V Cup in Foxrock before filling the runner-up berth in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was last seen delivering in the Group 3 Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh in August. Murtagh told Dave Keena: "Everything went well, he worked there Friday morning and Ben (Coen) was very happy with him. He's not a flashy worker, but it was the first time we got him on the grass in a while and got a nice blow into him. "One week to go, so it is exciting times! "It is (a nervy week), but nice nerves. It is nice to have these horses running in these big races. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly. "Well it is good news (Ombudsman not travelling) - I'm not sure what the field is going to look like yet. We should know that by Tuesday, get a feel for it then. They are pretty tough, there are still plenty of them in it that ahead of him on ratings. "His preparation has gone well and we are looking forward to it." On this weekend in general, he added: "I think we have between 12 and 14 runners over the two days. Any horse that is eligible to run in the handicaps is running! "It is a huge weekend for us, great prize money, and we want to be part of it."
