Big names from Juddmonte International stand ground for Leopardstown Item, Almaqam and Constitution River could all lock horns once again at Leopardstown on Saturday, with a formidable field of nine set to assemble for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. It was Andrew Balding’s Item who upheld his unbeaten York record in a thrilling conclusion to the International Stakes and the son of Frankel is one of two possible runners for owners Juddmonte alongside Dermot Weld’s Purview, who also has the option of the Kilternan Stakes earlier on the Irish Champions Festival card. Ed Walker’s Almaqam was thwarted late at York and he is back in Ireland looking not only for deserved compensation, but a second Group One success this term on the Emerald Isle after a maiden top-level strike in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May. Only third on the Knavesmire, Constitution River could be joined by stablemates Hawk Mountain and last year’s Derby winner Lambourn as Aidan O’Brien seeks a record-extending 14th win in the race, while his son Donnacha O’Brien has A Boy Named Susie engaged following a confidence-boosting success in the Royal Whip last time out. Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell will attempt to add to the Group One he landed in Germany in July, a race in which Wimbledon Hawkeye was a fast-finishing third on stable debut for George Scott before winning in Deauville most recently. As well as Item in the afternoon’s feature, Balding and Juddmonte will see Blue Bolt bid to extend her four-race winning run with what would be a third straight Group One triumph in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes. She will face a maximum 12 rivals that could include regular foe Precise, while Aidan O’Brien could also return True Love to her 1000 Guineas winning distance after dropping in trip of late. Karl Burke’s defending champion Fallen Angel is also a part of the raiding party, albeit not seen to the same effect as 12 months ago so far this season, with stablemate Evolutionist fourth to Blue Bolt the last twice and also in the mix. The HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes is the third and final Group One on the card, being run for top honours for the first time. Ballydoyle’s impressive Curragh scorer Darkness Falls looks to hold leading claims in a race won 12 months ago by subsequent Irish Derby hero Benvenuto Cellini and previously with the likes of Derby winners Australia (2013) and Auguste Rodin (2022). British representation could be provided by Charlie Appleby’s Stonehenge Stakes winner Quest For Stars and Charlie Johnston’s Pikachu. Looking forward to the action, Mark Clayton, CEO of Leopardstown, said: “This will be the first time for Leopardstown to have the privilege of hosting three Group One races on a single card. “The entries for the top-level events on the first day of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown are of the highest quality, headed by the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes. “At this stage, we could be looking at a record of number of runners from Britain. We are also looking forward to broadcasting the entire programme to our World Pool partners around the globe.”
