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Nathaniel and Fairy among Champion 12

Nathaniel Nathaniel
© Healy Racing Photos

Nathaniel and Snow Fairy appear among the 12 entries for Saturday's Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes.

John Gosden has decided on Leopardstown's prestigious event as the next port of call for Nathaniel, the Coral-Eclipse hero who was just run down by Danedream in the King George at Ascot last time.

Although the fine French gelding Cirrus Des Aigles has not been confirmed, Ed Dunlop's star mare Snow Fairy is among the potential opposition after her thrilling return from injury at Deauville recently.

Snow Fairy was narrowly beaten by Aidan O'Brien's So You Think in the race last year.

O'Brien will now be looking for his eighth victory in the Group One over a mile and a quarter.

He has six of the field in St Nicholas Abbey, Robin Hood, Imperial Monarch, Treasure Beach, Windsor Palace and Daddy Long Legs.

Two more come from the Dermot Weld yard in the Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway and prolific veteran Famous Name.

John Oxx's Born To Sea and the Jim Bolger-trained Light Heavy complete a strong line-up.

Paddy Power bet: 13-8 Nathaniel 11-4 Snow Fairy 5-1 St Nicholas Abbey 6-1 Imperial Monarch 8-1 Princess Highway 12-1 Famous Name 20-1 Born To Sea, Treasure Beach 25-1 Daddy Long Legs 33-1 Light Heavy 100-1 Robin Hood, Windsor Palace.