Hidden Universe © Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen can warm up for Irish Champions Weekend with success on an all-Flat card at Down Royal on Friday.
Dual Derby hero Harzand heads the Rosewell House challenge in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday evening, and the same trainer/rider combination has strong claims in the West Coast Cooler Fashion Week Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap with Hidden Universe
The veteran gelding won the Champion Bumper at Punchestown over six years ago, and his seven career wins also include the Leopardstown November Handicap and another two-mile handicap success at the Galway Festival.
The 10-year-old was off the course for nearly two years before returning to action this term, and really advertised his claims at Galway earlier this week when staying on nicely under an inexperienced claimer.
The Weld/Smullen team will also fancy their chances with Waitaki in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
It is a bit disappointing that the Invincible Spirit filly is still a maiden having really caught the eye behind stablemate Kalisma on debut at Naas last year, and perhaps this drop back to the minimum trip will do the trick. Lady Morel finished strongly when fourth on debut over course and distance in July, and will be fancied to open her account in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden.
The Michael Halford-trained Hunaina can land the other juvenile maiden on the card - the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Aga Khan home-bred daughter of Tamayuz filled the runner-up spot for the third successive time when caught close home by Tinder at Navan, and has a good opportunity to go one better in the opener.
