Going concern

RACING / News and preview: Aidan O'Brien says he will continue to closely watch the state of the ground at Leopardstown ahead of High Chaparral's attempt on tomorrow's big race.

The official going was described as "good" at Leopardstown yesterday and the expected big names lined up present and correct at the declaration stage for the Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes.

The seven declared include the 5 to 4 favourite Alamshar, Falbrav and High Chaparral about whom O'Brien had earlier expressed concern about the ground turning too quick.

He said yesterday: "It is a drying day today so we will continue to have a look at the ground. We will definitely walk the track on Saturday and we might have a look at it tomorrow as well."

The Ballydoyle trainer also declared France and said that the colt would be doing his best but wouldn't mind going on in the race if needed.

Michael Kinane will seek a record fifth success in the Champion Stakes on High Chaparral and on Sunday will be in Germany to ride Black Sam Bellamy in the Grosser Preis von Baden.

John Murtagh was confirmed as the rider of Alamshar after successfully returning from his enforced 17-day absence due to weight problems.

After the good ground call at Leoapardstown yesterday, a decision will be taken this morning about further watering.

"Joe Collins walked it this morning and described it as good. We are having a good, drying day at the moment so if it is good to firm in the morning we will make a decision about putting more on it," said Leopardstown's racing manager Tom Burke.

"The forecast on Friday is for a little drizzle in the Dublin area but no more than 2mms and then it is dry for Saturday. We are aiming for safe ground for everyone," he added.

The overseas challenge will consist of Falbrav, Islington and Moon Ballad from Godolphin while the Irish Oaks winner Vintage Tipple will represent the 84- year-old trainer Paddy Mullins.

The only defections were O'Brien's Sussex Stakes runner-up Statue Of Liberty and Dermot Weld's Refuse To Bend, both of whom are bound for Longchamp's Prix du Moulin on Sunday.

BETTING: (Paddy Power): 5-4 Alamshar, 5-2 Falbrav, 100-30 High Chaparral, 8 Vintage Tipple, 9 Islington, 12 Moon Ballad, 25 France. (Cashmans): 5-4 Alamshar, 2 Falbrav, 5 High Chaparral, 10 Vintage Tipple, 12 Moon Ballad, 14 Islington, 33 France.

It's an all-National Hunt card at Kilbeggan today and Ruby Walsh could be the jockey to follow on going that is officially forecast as "firm". Walsh has been booked by Charlie Swan for High Gear in the opening maiden hurdle and this one should be up to going better than a half length defeat to Valerun over the course and distance last time out.

Walsh is on Royal County Buck in the handicap chase and after a run behind Central Billing on yielding ground at Galway, Tony Martin's horse should be more at home here where he ran fourth to Kirmar. Michael Hourigan's bumper horses have been making their presence felt all summer.