Item, Almaqam Meet Again in Irish Champions Stakes

The Sept. 12 Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown Racecourse should be nothing if not conclusive as Item (GB) has the opportunity to seal his dominance over Constitution River (FR) and Almaqam (GB) after his victory over the pair in a dramatic International Stakes (G1) at York Racecourse last month. The Frankel (GB) colt could deliver plenty of firsts for his connections as trainer Andrew Balding, jockey Colin Keane, and owner Juddmonte have never landed the Irish Champion Stakes before. The preamble to the York group 1 hinged on the clash of generations between Constitution River and Ombudsman (IRE), but Item is getting his due credit in the lead-up to the rematch, having firmly announced himself as one of the best colts around when nailing Almaqam on the line by a head. It is an enormous day for the Juddmonte operation and Keane, given they have Blue Bolt (IRE), Purview (GB), and Maire Rua (GB) out to strut their stuff on the undercard at Leopardstown Racecourse, and Item could set himself up for a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), particularly given how he shaped as if another try at a mile and a half would be well worth exploring at York. "He's in good nick and came out of York in good shape," said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's racing manager. "His final few bits of work have gone well. It's a cracking renewal of the race and it's nice to have one taking part. It's a different track and a different set of circumstances, and if the ground stays around good, it'll be great. Constitution River and Almaqam are hugely talented, so it's going to be a great renewal." The Ed Walker-trained Almaqam has already tasted group 1 success in Ireland, having landed the Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh in May. He was slightly below that form when fourth behind Ombudsman at Ascot Racecourse, but ran right up to his best at York when denied late on having looked in control inside the final furlong. Connections will be hoping that the 4-6 millimeters of rain forecast before racing will materialize as the son of Lope de Vega (IRE) is particularly effective on ground with an ease. A Boy Named Susie (IRE) is a rapidly improving colt for Donnacha O'Brien and ran a cracker to finish a 3-length second to Constitution River in the Eclipse Stakes (G1). He was fourth behind the same rival in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1), so he will need to improve, but he warmed up for this assignment in good style with a straightforward win at the Curragh last month. The George Scott-trained Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) is consistent but needs to find 10 pounds of improvement, while Hotazhell (GB) is an interesting outsider for Jessica Harrington. He produced a really tough front-running performance to win a group 1 in Germany last time and has some high-class form to his name. The Irish Champion Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, granting the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.