Roaring Lion and Alpha Centauri among the big guns set to run at Irish Champions Weekend
The latest confirmations for this weekend's valuable meeting were revealed on Tuesday
ROARING LION and Alpha Centauri are two of the star names still in contention for Irish Champions Weekend.
A total of six Group 1 races will be staged at Leopardstown and the Curragh this Saturday and Sunday.
Roaring Lion ran out an impressive winner of the Juddmonte International on his last outing and he heads ten confirmations for the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday.
He is likely to face the Aidan O'Brien-trained 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior for the sixth time in the Group 1 contest over 1m2f.
O'Brien also has Deauville, Rhododendron, Seahenge, Athena and Magical in contention.
Jim Bolger could be represented by the exciting Verbal Dexterity, while the French Derby winner Study Of Man is a likely runner.
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Superstar filly Alpha Centauri is the headline act among 16 fillies confirmed for the Matron Stakes on Saturday.
Jessica Harrington’s three-year-old has won the Irish 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois so far this year.
Aidan O’Brien's has seven potential contenders, including Rhododendron, Magical, Happily and Athena.
The British challenge is headed by Karl Burke’s three-time Group 1 winner Laurens.
The Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday has been robbed of one of it's main stars, with Blue Point ruled out due to a dirty scope.
Trainer Charlie Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “He scoped dirty, which is unfortunate, but we look ahead now to British Champions Day at Ascot (on October 20), where he has an entry in the Group 1 sprint, over six furlongs.”
There are still 12 horses in contention for the Group 1, including Battle Of Jericho, Sioux Nation, St Patrick’s Day and Different League for O'Brien.
Havana Grey and Take Cover feature among four British-trained entries.
Meanwhile, Flag Of Honour is the hot favourite for the Irish St Leger with antepost jolly Order Of St George missing the race.
Aidan O'Brien's colt won the trial for the race last month and is one of ten still in contention.
O'Brien also has a strong contender in the National Stakes on Sunday with Anthony Van Dyck.
His main challenge is likely to come from the exciting Godolphin two-year-old Quorto.
The champion trainer also has the favourite for the Moyglare Stud Stakes in the shape of Lowther winner Fairyland.