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Two great days of racing this weekend in Ireland starting at Leopardstown Saturday.
The Irish Champion Stakes is the highlight of this card and since there are only 4 runners in this G1 it looks as if it is going the way of St Mark's Basilica. Tarnawa and Poetic Flare both have legitimate chances here but the Aidan O'Brien pupil may have the edge on them.
The afternoon also hosts the Champion Juvenile Stakes G2 over 1600m with 10n runners and the question here is which O'Brien as father Aidan and sons Joseph and Donnacha all saddle runners here. Joseph's Maritime Winds is on 11/4, Donnacha's Absolute Ruler on 7/2, Joseph's Buckaroo on 9/2 and Aidan's Stone Age 6/1.
The Boomerange Mile is G2 for 3y+ and has a field of 14, headed by Maker of Kings for Ger Lyons and Col Keane. Mac Swiney is dropping back in distance here and is on 4/1, with Thunder Moon on 6/1, and we love the consistent Njord on 15/2.
The Paddy Power Stakes G3 is over 2400m and has 9 runners. Earlswood is on 2/1 for Johnny Murtagh with Shane Kelly riding, Innisfree 5/2 for Aidan and Ryan Moore, and we will add Forbearance 9/1 for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.
Trivia question – is Shane the most popular name for a jockey in Ireland?