Rip Van Winkle fancied for Champion Stakes
September 02, 2010 14:14:12 UK
Rip Van Winkle heads Aidan O'Brien's three-strong team as the Ballydoyle trainer seeks a sixth success in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Johnny Murtagh takes to the saddle on last month's Juddmonte International Stakes winner, who will compete against five others in the mile-and-a-quarter feature.
Seamus Heffernan will ride Irish Derby hero Cape Blanco while O'Brien's son Joseph will be aboard Beethoven.
O'Brien withdrew his other entries, Fame And Glory and Black Quartz, at the final declaration stage.
Owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has two entries with Dermot Weld's Famous Name and Twice Over.
Twice Over, trained by Henry Cecil, was runner-up to Rip Van Winkle at York having previously landed the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Completing the field is Mark Johnston's Sea Lord, who was supplemented for 75,000 euros at Monday's confirmation stage.
Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes: Rip Van Winkle 1.72, Twice Over 4.33, Cape Blanco 7.00, Sea Lord 13.00, Famous Name 26.00, Beethoven 26.00.
bet365 are Non Runner No Bet and Best Odds Guaranteed on the race (Rule 4 may apply).
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