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Dylan And Beo All Set For Clash

Multiple Group One winners Dylan Thomas and Finsceal Beo are set to clash in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown this weekend.

It had been thought that Aidan O'Brien was likely to run last year's 2000 Guineas hero George Washington in the 10 furlong event.

However, it emerged yesterday that impressive King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winner Dylan Thomas will be the main challenger from the Ballydoyle stable.

'At the moment we'll probably run Dylan Thomas and Duke Of Marmalade,' said O'Brien.

'George Washington is not certain to run as we have the option of the Prix du Moulin (at Longchamp) the following day for him.

'We'll see how things work out during the week, but at this stage it's also possible we'll run either Archipenko or Red Rock Canyon in the Champion,' he told the Racing Post.

Finsceal Beo also has the option of the Matron Stakes on the same card but trainer Jim Bolger has confirmed that she will tackle older horses for the first time.

'It will be the Champion Stakes for Finsceal Beo, and while it will be her first run over 10 furlongs, I've no reservations about her getting that trip on Saturday,' confirmed Bolger.

'She wants good ground and she should get that on Saturday. I'm very happy with her and Modeeroch, who is an intended runner in the Matron Stakes.'

(C) PA Sport

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