Ouija Board to the Irish Champion Stakes

[my miss storm cat]

From Sporting Life.....

HURRICANE AND OUIJA AMONG CHAMPION NINE
By Anita Chambers, PA Sport


Hurricane Run and Ouija Board are set for a fascinating clash in Saturday's Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The pair, winners of 10 Group One races between them, are among nine horses left in the 10-furlong contest at the five-day stage.

Hurricane Run, who is trained by Andre Fabre, has not run since his success in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July.

Ed Dunlop's stable star Ouija Board will come into the race on the back of a thrilling success over Alexander Goldrun in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

The latter could reoppose here, although trainer Jim Bolger has also left the globe-trotting mare in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes on the same card.

Aidan O'Brien has three possibles in Juddmonte International disappointment Dylan Thomas, Ace and Sunday's Moulin fourth Aussie Rules.

Sir Michael Stoute could send Celebration Mile last Rob Roy while Kevin Prendergast could step Mustameet up to Group One level for the first time as he chases a five-timer in the big race.

Likely outsider Lord Admiral completes the possibles for Charles O'Brien.

Gosh this filly runs a whole bunch. Made of steel. Its not like she has been in easy races lately. I hope the connections know her well.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by pgardn

Gosh this filly runs a whole bunch. Made of steel. Its not like she has been in easy races lately. I hope the connections know her well.

just had a quick look, 7th race since 25th March, she does seem to take her races well. I have a feeling she could take Hurricane over this distance, though Alexander Goldrun might beat them all!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by brockguy

though Alexander Goldrun might beat them all!

Much as i love half the (potential) field, that's what I've been thinking all day.

Just up on Racing Post.....


Weather could change Hurricane's course again

by Jon Lees and Tony O'Hehir

HURRICANE RUN could yet stay in France to run in the Prix Foy on Sunday rather than contest the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday, said his trainer Andre Fabre on Monday, voicing concern over ground conditions at Leopardstown.

“I’ve not yet decided,” said Fabre on Monday when ask if his superstar performer was an intended runner. Hurricane Run, winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July, was one of nine possibles left in the 10f contest along with Ouija Board, Alexander Goldrun and Dylan Thomas.

Fabre said: “It all depends on the weather conditions. The forecast is not very clear. There seems to be some rain about and some good weather – I’d like some rain to give us soft ground. If not, we’ll go to Longchamp.

“He won on good ground at Ascot, but soft ground will make the race longer. I’ll have to decide soon and am waiting for contacts with the owners.

“Shirocco is running in the Prix Foy and I don’t mind running the two if I have to. Rail Link is running in the Prix Niel and he’s a possible for the Arc as well.”

Dylan Thomas, the Budweiser Irish Derby winner who disappointed when fourth in the Juddmonte International at York last month, is one of three Aidan O'Brien-trained acceptors, although his participation is also in the balance.

Plans for Hurricane Run could influence whether Dylan Thomas will be in the line-up, although the likelihood of good ground at Leopardstown will strengthen the case for the Ballydoyle colt being allowed take his chance. O'Brien, who also left in Ace and Aussie Rules, said yesterday: “Nothing has really changed regarding Dylan Thomas and the Irish Champion Stakes. We will wait and make a decision in the next couple of days.

"Ace is an intended runner, while Aussie Rules was left in as he didn’t have a really hard race in the Prix du Moulin on Sunday. A decision about him running will be made on Thursday morning."

The ground at Leopardstown was described as good on Monday. Some rain was forecast for Monday night and Tuesday, with mainly dry weather expected for the rest of the week.

Leopardstown’s manager, Tom Burke, said: "If the forecast proves accurate I would expect the ground to be good for Saturday."

The home challenge is also likely to include five-time Group 1 winner Alexander Goldrun, who is also an acceptor for the Group 1 Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes on the same card.

Kevin Prendergast yesterday confirmed that Mustameet, the winner of three Listed races, the Group 3 International Stakes and the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes this season, will be stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time in Saturday's big race.

The Charles O'Brien-trained Lord Admiral, a 200-1 shot with Cashmans, is also entered for the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes on the same card.

IRISH CHAMPION STAKES
William Hill: 11-10 (with a run) Hurricane Run, 9-4 Ouija Board, 3 Dylan Thomas, 4 Alexander Goldrun, 10 Mustameet, 12 Ace, 20 Rob Roy, Aussie Rules, 50 Lord Admiral

[my miss storm cat]

If the ground isn't right, Ouija Board is out.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...ING_Board.html

[my miss storm cat]

Hurricane Run is out.

[my miss storm cat]

From The Telegraph.....

Ground fears keep Hurricane Run at home
By HOTSPUR (J A McGrath)

Hurricane Run is to stay in France at the weekend and will bypass Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown after trainer Andre Fabre decided the ground would be more suitable for the colt at Longchamp in Sunday's Prix Foy.

advertisementThe four-year-old's absence has deprived Ireland's showpiece of a major draw card, but allows Irish Derby winner Dylan Thomas his chance to recapture top form on drying ground against the outstanding mares Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun.

Fabre informed the Magniers, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith of his decision last night. He felt there would be more chance for cut in the ground at the Paris track.

Middle-distance star Hurricane Run will now be following a similar preparation to last year for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for which he is currently 5-2 favourite. In the Prix Foy, he is likely to meet stablemate Shirocco and the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Pride.

In other news, Iffraaj is set to take his chance in Saturday's GNER Park Stakes at York as Godolphin continue to prepare him for the crack at the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs in November. But the ground remains a major issue.

An improved weather forecast has encouraged trainer Saeed bin Suroor to press ahead with plans to declare the five-year-old in the race, but a dislike of soft conditions is playing havoc with his programme.

Iffraaj had been pencilled in to run in either the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock or the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last weekend, but heavy and soft going, respectively, ensured the horse stayed in his box.

"It is becoming frustrating," Simon Crisford, racing manger to Godolphin, said last night. "The ground at York could change to Good (Good to Soft in places) if drying weather continues, but the bottom line is that we'll walk it on the day and make a decision.

"We are now on to Plan B, and if we can't get a run into him at the weekend, then we'll be looking at Plan C, which could be an early trip to the States," he added.

Iffraaj, who won the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood in quite brilliant style last time out, also finished runner-up in the July Cup. He has the perfect profile for the Breeders' Cup Mile, one very similar to Last Tycoon and Royal Academy who were capable of winning top class sprints before tackling a mile on tight American tracks.

If Iffraaj faces the starter, he could be opposed by Quito, who continues to defy his advancing years with a hectic schedule. The nine-year-old, who was flying home for second to Reverence at Haydock on Saturday, is back at the Lancashire course today, and is then expected to turn out again in the Park Stakes.