Irish Champion Stakes 2012

5.45 Leopardstown

Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €434,500

Advice: 5 pts Snow Fairy w/o Nathaniel (10/11 Paddy Power)

Nathaniel: King George winner of last year who has taken giant steps forward in two runs as four year old, winning Eclipse in game style on comeback and being nosed out by Danedream in high quality King George at Ascot two starts back; Should take the beating here.

St Nicholas Abbey: Contained renaissance at end of last season with extremely convincing win in the Coronation Cup and King George third was a bold one considering how much ground he had to make up late on; Dropped back to this trip and had impossible task trying to match strides with Frankel but always given impression he’s stronger at 12 furlongs.

Snow Fairy: Top class mare who was second to So You Think last year in this who may have given career best when winning Prix Romanet off the back of long absence (injury/infection) in smart style at Deauville latest; Could come on for that once again, which would obviously give her a massive chance if avoiding the bounce factor today; Possibly more suited by 10 furlong trip than other major contenders.

Born To Sea: Three parts brother to Sea The Stars who had made good fist of living upto that standard, improving markedly since comeback in 2,000 Guineas to make frame in two Group 1’s since, including Irish Derby second; Hates it soft so can be marked better than other efforts including well beaten sixth length second to Famous Name last time, but long way behind older horses.

Daddy Long Legs: Looked a colt with a future when landing Royal Lodge Stakes from front last year and same tactics came to fore once again when landing the UAE Derby as 3yo on first start back; Huge run in Irish Guineas when beaten only a half-length into fourth having gone a suicidal pace so disappointing in America when last of eight last time around; Likely pacemaker again.

Light Heavy: Looked to be one of the most progressive 3yos seen this season when taking two Derby trials in contrasting style, but not upto the main event (labeit on ground he didn’t seem to like); This too tough for him.

VERDICT: A small but select field featuring three top class horses and two of the best 10 furlong performers in the world on ratings. Picking between Nathaniel (an Eclipse winner on his seasonal comeback who will relish every inch of this stiff finish) and SNOW FAIRY (one of the best mares in the world and a 10f specialist) is near impossible but thankfully there’s a market without John Gosden’s charge in which Paddy Power offer 10/11 about her beating the rest of the field without Nathaniel. That’s an outstanding bet with St Nicholas Abbey a 12 furlong horse and the rest not good enough to challenge her on all known form.