SHAMROCK LANDS HIS NAP AND THREE DOUBLES: With a non-runner in his yankee, Shamrock managed three winning doubles from his nap, Wrote (WON 6-4), and Zanughan (WON 7-2) at Galway yesterday.
How about a race that invariably attracts a true champion. There are two big weekends ahead in Ireland but star of the show is this coming Saturday, the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
In the last 12 years, its winners read like a Who’s Who of champions: in alpha order, Azamour, Cape Blanco, Daylami, Dylan Thomas, Giants Causeway, High Chaparral, New Approach and Sea The Stars.
Their incredible total of major prizes is: King George 3, Epsom Derby 3, Irish Derby 3, Breeders Cup 3, Eclipse 3, St James Palace Stakes 3, Arc de Triomphe 2, Man O’War Stakes 2, Juddmonte International 2, and one each of Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, French 2,000, Arlington Million, Newmarket Champion Stakes, Coronation Cup, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Sussex Stakes.
Saturday’s select field is headed by this year’s Eclipse winner, So You Think, the darling of Ballydoyle with 10 Group wins to his name in England, Ireland and Australia.
And the supporting cast consists of English and Irish Oaks winner, Snow Fairy, who also won the Hong Kong Cup; the Irish 2,000 winner, Roderic O’Connor; and 14-times-winner Famous Name.
The Saturday after there’s a double bill at the Curragh, with the Irish St Leger and the National Stakes. So roll up, roll up for a super Irish-racing September on Betdaq. I’ll be marking your card.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: King Of The Celts (4.10 Ripon)
NEXT BEST: Potentiale (4.55 Epsom)
OUTSIDER: Rafella (4.20 Epsom)
DAQ TRIO: King Of The Celts (4.10 Ripon), Aye Aye Digby (4.30 Goodwood), Potentiale (4.55 Epsom)
