This G1 is another clue to the Arc and sees the return of Japanese runner Shin Emperor.
He was third in this race last year but didn't have much luck in the Arc so Yahagi-sensei is happy enough with him to bring him back for another go. Before looking at that race there are more races to examine.
The first of these is the Champion Juvenile Stakes over 1600m for the 2yos but only 5 in it. It is an O'Brien family affair with Aidan saddling the two favourites both on 11/8 – Benvenuto Cellini with Ronan Whelan on the Frankel colt and Montreal with Soumillon on the Sea The Stars product. Joseph has 2 as well and Donnacha one.
The CMG Stakes G3 over 2400m has 11 runners with Al Aasy on top on 7/4 for Haggas-Tudhope. Last year's winner Trustyourinstinct is from Joseph O'Brien's yard and P J McDonald has the ride and we rather like a roughie here in Acapulco Bay on 14/1 with Soumillon riding the Coolmore horse who has had a run of four third places so they are hoping for improvement!
The Matron Stakes is G1 for the girls over 1600m with 11 contesting. Fallen Angel has looked like she has redeemed herself and is on 2/1 for Burke-James Doyle – she was second last year. January is getting closer to a big win having finished 3-2-2 in her latest starts and Cercene 7/2 who won the Coronation Stakes could show up.
The Solonaway Stakes is G2 over 1600m with 10 going round and here Johnny Murtagh's Alakazi is on 5/1 with Ben Coen riding. Skukuza is 3/1 from Ed Dunlop's yard with Chris Hayes on board and Johan is on 11/2 for Jack Channon and Ronan Whelan.
Then the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes G1 has 8 runners over 2000m. Delacroix looks to be the obvious top choice here for O'Brien – Soumillon. Shin Emperor is a top horse but if the track is soft – which appears likely – it may not be entirely to his liking however 11/2 looks very tempting. Sakai has the ride. Murtagh has a number of horses for the Aga Khan Estate and this one Zahrann looks very promising and is on 6/1 with Coen on board.
Sad news from Ireland with the passing of Vinnie Roe at the age of 27. He won four Irish St Leger's and after one of them we were sure he would win the Melbourne Cup but alas his best in his three trips to Australia was second to stablemate Media Puzzle. He was a great favourite and will be missed especially by all at Longford House Stud in Tipperary. He was ridden in all but one by the late Pat Smullen and trained by Dermot Weld. His owner was film producer Jim Sheridan who named the horse after his nephew.
