A Lucky 15 at Leopardstown on Saturday By Enda McElhinneyIt's day one of the Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown on Saturday and there is lots of high-quality action to savour. They race from 14:15-18:40 at Leopardstown on Saturday afternoon, with five Group races and three major handicaps amongst the offerings. We have picked out a Lucky15 for Saturday's Leopardstown card Lucky15 Selections 3.20 Leopardstown — Hardy Warrior 4.25 Leopardstown - Cercene 5.30 Leopardstown — Delacroix 6.05 Leopardstown — Charlus 3.20 Leopardstown, Hardy Warrior The Joseph O'Brien-trained HARDY WARRIOR is taking a quick jump in class for the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes but the son of Pinatubo may relish it. He was well held on his debut at Killarney in July but, 10 days later, he took a sizeable jump forward with an utterly dominant maiden win over the mile trip around here and jockeys' championship leader Dylan Browne McMonagle will be expecting further progress now. They had a couple of next-time-out winners behind last time and can make their mark in this company. 4.25 Leopardstown, Cercene Joseph Murphy's filly provided a bit of a surprise when winning at Royal Ascot but she had no answer to Whirl when upped to 1m2f at Goodwood last time. Her success in the Coronation Stakes in June was fully merited and while it was a silver medal at Goodwood, heavy ground and the longer trip could have been contributing factors in that reverse. Connections opt for the drop back to the mile trip here and, once the ground remains suitable, she could well produce a big effort. 5.30 Leopardstown, Delacroix The tussles between Delacroix and Ombudsman at Sandown and York were amongst the highlights of the summer. It was the English horse that prevailed last time and, now back on home soil and with his sparring partner absent, this Dubawi colt can sparkle taking on his elders in the Irish Champion Stakes. Aidan O'Brien is the race's most successful trainer and he has won it 12 times before. The son of Dubawi won two Derby trials over course and distance earlier on in the season and softening ground won't be an issue for him back at the Foxrock venue. 6.05 Leopardstown, Charlus Willie Mullins hasn't had Charlus in his care for too long but the French import has been tried in a Royal Ascot handicap and the Ebor at York in two of this three Flat runs for the Closutton chief. He hasn't sparkled but the handicapper has eased him 4lb and given his best form in France was on easy ground, he could yet raise his game. It's worth heeding that his all-conquering trainer is willing to keep targeting prizes of this ilk.
