Irish Champion Stakes: Slew of withdrawals?

Yesterday’s five-day declarations for the Irish Champion Stakes saw a field of 12 hold their ground. The Anteposter cannot help wondering how many will remain later in the week when the final declarations appear, as several look highly unlikely to line up.

Leading the charge for the door is the “usual suspect” who seems to appear in almost every middle-distance G1/G2 field this season at the five-day stage, only to be withdrawn when the final declaration chips are down (Continuous). Then there is Royal Rhyme, whose connections will surely think twice unless sufficient rain comes – which is admittedly not impossible at this stage – given the huge discrepancy between his form on soft and his ability to keep up with the best on faster terrain.

But it is the presence of trio of French stars that surprises most. According to the most recently available comments in the French press, Zarakem is headed for the Arc, Metropolitan is focusing on the QEII Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot, while Facteur Cheval’s connections are going for what can only be described as the “batshit crazy” option of the Breeders Cup Classic on Dirt at Del Mar (80-1 if that kind of thing floats your boat).

Of course, all these targets are sufficiently in the future for the Irish Champion Stakes to be taken in too. But the tone of newsflow to date has suggested that these admirable colts will go straight to their respective targets rather than taking in this additional challenge. And if two or even three of these are withdrawn, if the rain doesn’t come for Karl Burke’s charge Royal Rhyme, and if Continuous does what he continuously does at the 48-hour stage, then this race could really cut up.

This is food for thought for anyone thinking of an each-way angle into this race. The Anteposter would like to suggest Ghostwriter as an antepost play, as his recent form is close to the best on offer, making the current double-figure quotes very appealing. But with plenty of uncertainty still swirling over how much rain will fall, and the latest newsflow from connections not yet pointing to his cast-iron participation of Clive Cox’s charge, waiting for the 48-hour market – not to mention greater meteorological clarity – looks the more sensible approach.

Royal Rhyme / Goodwood Media Centre