Evening all,

The BHA announced on Friday morning that all racing on Saturday in England would be cancelled. However, there will be a new nine-race card which will include the St Leger on Sunday. The Flying Childers and Doncaster Cup that were due to be run on Friday will also be part of the card. As will the Champagne and Park Stakes from Saturday’s card.

I get why today’s racing was cancelled. It gives people a time to reflect on events. Not just about the Queen’s death but the loved ones they have lost. I also understand on the day of the funeral that will be no sport as it gives people an opportunity to pay their respects.

What I’m finding harder to understand is why Saturday’s racing is cancelled but its ok to race on Sunday. Would the Queen have wanted Saturday’s St Leger cancelled?  Given it was her favourite sport, I suspect not.

Meanwhile people still went to work as normal on Friday and I’m at Antiques and Collectables Fair on Saturday which hasn't been cancelled.

No racing in England means Irish Champions Weekend gets underway with the stage to itself.  ITV were due to cover the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday afternoon. At the time of writing this I don’t know if they will be covering any of the Leopardstown card. My hunch and I hope they prove me wrong is that they will virtue signal and not cover any of it.

Inside today's main piece I have looked at the action from Leopardstown including the two Group 1's.

Irish Champions Weekend – Leopardstown

There’s been plenty of rain at both Leopardstown and the Curragh and plenty more is being forecast for the latter track on Sunday. More rain was forecast for Leopardstown on Friday although its set to be dry on Saturday. The going at Leopardstown at the time of writing on Friday afternoon as soft all-round.

The Group 1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.45) and the Group 1 The Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes (4.55) are feature races of an eight-race card for day one of Irish Champions Weekend.

Irish Champions Stakes

Seven have been declared for the Irish Champion Stakes. Coral Eclipse winner Vadeni heads the betting. He only had a neck to spare over Mishriff at Sandown, but he’s open to more improvement, and I don’t think Mishriff wants soft ground. Vadeni is a worthy favourite and is the one to beat.

Luxembourg third in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket returned from a 4-month absence with a workmanlike success in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. He should be capable of further improvement over 1m 2f and with that run under his belt looks set for a big run. There doesn’t appear to be much pace on show, but his stablemate Stone Age could help set it.

Onesto wasn’t well positioned when a 6 ½ length 5th of 15 to Vadeni in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. He’s since improved to win the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris (1m 4f) at Longchamp. His stamina could well come in handy here and trainer Fabrice Chappet doesn’t think he will be inconvenienced by the drop back to 1m 2f.

Alenquer gets ease in the ground for the first time this season. He can’t be ruled out, but you would be disappointed if he proved good enough.

Verdict: Vadeni is the most likely winner but I’m expecting a big perfromances from fellow French challenger Onesto and Luxembourg. If I have a bet in the race its most likely to be Onesto.

Matron Stakes

Quick ground means we haven’t seen Homeless Songs since her impressive win in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Some ease in the ground is what she wants but she’s never raced on ground as soft as this yet.

English challenger Saffron Beach is the biggest rival to the favourite. She’s had light campaign winning the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month. This likable 4-year-old will give Homeless Songs plenty to think about.

Tenebrism was runner-up in Saffron Beach in the Prix Prix Rothschild last time and looks held as does fifth Pearls Galore. The latter does get the first time cheekpieces though and has form over C&D. On soft ground you wouldn’t be surprised to see the 5-year-old get into the places.

Verdict: It looks a match between Homeless Songs & Saffron Beach. I like the former, but I think Saffron Beach looks big at 9/4. For those looking for one each way then Pearls Galore is interesting in the first time cheekpieces.

Quick thoughts on the rest of the card

2:40 – The Aidan O’Brien trained Auguste Rodin & Tower Of London are at the head of the betting. Both juveniles are highly regarded and capable of going on too much better. The former seems to be the pick of Ryan Moore and the latter may prove better over middle distances as a 3-year-old. Serious Challenge, trained by Jim Bolger, shouldn’t be underestimated given he’s proven on heavy ground after winning a maiden at the Galway Festival. Although he’s a gelding he’s open to further improvement and looks overpriced.

3:10 – Point King completed a seasonal hat trick when winning a Listed race (1m 6f) here last month. Drops back 2f here but testing ground will bring his stamina into play. His biggest rivals look to be the Paddy Twomey trained Earl Of Tyrome & Beamish. The soft ground just swings towards the latter. Beamish lost his unbeaten record when only 3^rd of 8 over C&D last month. He shouldn’t be judged to harshly on his latest run as he would have preferred more of a stamina test and he’s 2-2 on soft ground.

4:20 – Recent Goodwood Group 2 winner Jadoomi probably deserves to head the betting. However, the Group 2 he won was weak for the class and whilist he will like the ground, I want to take him on. All three of Boundless Ocean’s three career wins have come here including two over C&D and he’s respected.  However, I like Irish Lincolnshire winner Raadobarg. He’s got 6lb to find with the favourite on official ratings, but he goes well on testing ground and when he won the Irish Lincolnshire, he had looked a Group horse in handicap. Hopefully on his preferred ground he’ll be able to show it.

Saturday Verdict:

Vadeni will be a tough nut to crack in the Irish Champion Stakes. However, you don’t need me to tell you that. I do like the claims of Onesto and I might have bet on him. Outside of the handicaps my main fancies on the Leopardstown card are Beamish and Raadobarg and its the former who is today’s selection.

Leopardstown

3:10 – Beamish – 6/1 @ Ladbrokes.

Given the St Leger is on tomorrow and it's the final day of Irish Champions Weekend I will do rare Sunday column.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John