O'Brien eyes more success

Ballydoyle trainer turns attentions to Irish Champion Stakes

Last updated: 1st September 2008

O'Brien eyes more success

Duke of Marmalade: favourite

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Aidan O'Brien is a hot favourite to secure his 19th Group One win of the year in Saturday's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes.

The Ballydoyle trainer has saddled the last three winners of the Leopardstown heat and his main hope at this stage would appear to be Duke Of Marmalade, winner of the Juddmonte International at Newmarket on his last outing.

However, O'Brien has all bases covered with four other possibles, including dual 2000 Guineas winner Henrythenavigator, King Of Rome, Zulu Chief and Red Rock Canyon.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos Family, believes there is a good chance Multidimensional will throw his hat into the ring too.

The son of Danehill was an impressive winner at Haydock on his latest outing but missed the Juddmonte International due to the fast conditions.

Conditions

"At the moment it is quite possible he will run - the ground won't be firm in Ireland," said Cooper.

"A final decision will be made on Thursday but I think Henry Cecil would like to run if conditions are suitable."

Mores Wells is another who could take part with the four-year-old's owners keen to see him run in the feature event.

"We left him in the race and I we will have a look at it later in the week and see how it looks," said Mores Wells' trainer Kevin Prendergast.

"Obviously it looks very hot and I was planning to run him in the Irish St Leger a week later, but the owner pays the bills.

"He won nicely at Leopardstown last time over a mile and a half and was always travelling well.

"He has won over a mile and quarter a couple of times though and has plenty of pace so the trip is not really a concern."