Murtagh feels Rip has improved Johnny Murtagh has sent out a warning to Rip Van Winkle's Irish Champion Stakes rivals that he feels his mount could be an even better horse now than he was when scoring at York last month. The Galileo colt opened his account for the campaign by showing a blistering turn of foot to land the Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire, getting up late in the day to deny Twice Over by half a length. The pair lock horns again in Saturday's Tattersalls Millions-sponsored Group One and while Murtagh respects Henry Cecil's raider, he is confident Rip Van Winkle can confirm the form at Leopardstown. "It's another good race and Twice Over is a very good horse," said Murtagh. "He has to travel over this time though, we're on our home turf and hopefully there is a bit of improvement in 'Rip'. "Everyone knows how much we thought of him last year as a three-year-old and he ran some good races and won two Group Ones. "He's come back to win another big race in the International at York, which is a huge race on the Knavesmire. "It's another big assignment this weekend and another Group One. He probably has to improve from York, but we think he has and he should be very tough to beat. "He won round Leopardstown as a two-year-old and he loved it, so you have to be confident." Cecil is delighted with Twice Over's current condition but admits he would like to see some rain in the Dublin area. "Twice Over seems so well that I feel he should take his chance in the Irish Champion Stakes," the Warren Place handler told his official website. "Originally I felt that he would just have one more race this season in the English Champion Stakes, which he won last year, but I now feel he should run in both. "It obviously will be a tough race and we would like a little rain, which would be an advantage to him. Still, we are hopeful of his chance." Tom Queally feels Twice Over has been underestimated by bookmakers ahead of Saturday's Tatteralls Millions Irish Champion Stakes. Writing in his Racing UK blog he said: "I don't think the bookmakers have got it right, as regards Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle's odds. "At the time of writing, Rips' odds were 4-6 and Twice Over's were 7-2 which I can't quite work out. When the two met in the Juddmonte International at York last month, Twice Over looked the winner everywhere but a matter of yards from the line. We had him in trouble and all credit to Rip Van Winkle in the way that he managed to wear us down. "The original plan was to go straight to the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October, but Twice Over came out of the race at York so well. He really pleased us with his work on Racecourse Side a week ago so we thought it would be a waste not to run him again while he's in such rude health. "A drop of rain might help, as will the shorter straight and distance. He is also so straightforward to ride and I think we go there with a big shout." Twice Over is one of two runners for leading owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, with the Dermot Weld-trained Famous Name also in the line-up. The owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe hopes the change of track might see Twice Over turn the tables on Rip Van Winkle. "He has come out of York fine. He's been in very good shape and we are very pleased with him", said Grimthorpe. "What we hope will play into his hands is that the York race was about 110 yards longer. "I think if the race had been even 10 yards shorter, we would have had a different result. "The other thing here is that it's a different racecourse. The straight is not nearly so long as at York which will be a factor - it won't be the only factor, but it will be a factor." Course specialist Famous Name is unbeaten in three starts at the Dublin track in 2010, but Grimthorpe admits the likely quick surface is not ideal as he takes a step up in class. "Famous Name is very happy in himself," Grimthorpe continued. "We will have a look at the course and if Dermot thinks it is too firm then he won't run. "There is supposed to be a little rain about but there is not much forecast. What he will need is good ground." Seamie Heffernan gets the leg up on Cape Blanco in a race for the first time since steering him to victory on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse in June, 2009. "It's great to have a ride in the race and hopefully he can run up to his mark or above it even," said Heffernan. "He's a lovely colt and I'm looking forward to riding him. "I rode him once and I've won on him, a conditions race at Fairyhouse. He's always shown us plenty at home. "I haven't been riding him work but I'm told he's going well, so with a bit of luck he'll go very well tomorrow. "My horse, Rip Van Winkle and Beethoven are fresh and ready for another race, so we'll let them take their chance."
