LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT: IT MIGHT not have been particularly pretty but New Approach duly took advantage of Duke Of Marmalade's absence to land yesterday's Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
In the process he completed an almost 9 to 2 Group One double for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, who earlier scored with Lush Lashes in the Coolmore Matron Stakes, and brought to an end a dramatic Champion Stakes weekend.
The heavy rainfall that provoked a 24-hour postponement finally did for Duke Of Marmalade's participation in the morning, but considering Leopardstown was unraceable on Saturday there was happy surprise at how the surface came up officially "yielding".
Just as surprising for many, though, was how hard it seemed for New Approach to pull out a half-length defeat of the 50 to 1 outsider Traffic Guard, with Mores Wells edging Multidimensional for third.
The runner-up was officially rated over a stone inferior to the Irish star and had won just three of his previous 18 starts. It was enough for some firms to actually lengthen New Approach out to 10 to 1 for the Arc, but Bolger was unconcerned and outlined likely plans that include either Longchamp or the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, before a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"He only did what he had to do and Kevin confirmed he had bundles in the tank. It was a nice, easy race for him and he should come out of it well," said Bolger.
New Approach's style has rarely veered to the spectacular and this was no Daylami-style rout but rather a Giant's Causeway-like slug-out that added his name to the most illustrious roll-of-honour in Irish racing.
Bolger later indicated that such Group One opportunities for New Approach might be limited as a stallion career, rather than a transfer to Godolphin, beckons at the end of the season. However, the Derby winner made his last start in Ireland count before he ventures overseas again.
Traffic Guard will also be on his travels with Australia's Cox Plate a target. Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: "I couldn't believe his price because some of his form is very good."
Lush Lashes shows no signs of a busy campaign and gathered a third Group One prize of the season in the Matron when proving a neck too good for Nahoodh, with her old rival Halfway To Heaven in third.
"She's as tough as old boots but only just got away with the ground," reported Manning, while Bolger delivered a series of options that include the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
"She also has an invite to Hong Kong and the Breeders' Cup people would like to see her in California, so it will be hard to please everyone," he said.
"It's been a wonderful day and Lush Lashes also has a good bit left in the tank so we could have a good end to the season too."
Bolger and Manning emerged as saviours to favourite backers as they later completed a treble in the juvenile maiden with Vocalised.
Earlier those same favourite backers had taken a smack when the French Derby runner-up Famous Name got turned over in the Group Three Kilternan Stakes.
Colm O'Donoghue powered The Bogberry to a half-length defeat of Famous Name, while John Oxx and Michael Kinane combined for a double with Baliyana in the fillies maiden and Masiyma, who short-headed Sualice in the fillies handicap.
Trainer David Marnane saddled the first two home in the seven furlong handicap, but it was the "wrong" one for punters with Rain Rush at 20 to 1 edging out Maundy Money.
Honoria should be able to cope with testing conditions
ALMOST HALF the field in tonight's Listed feature at Galway are proven winners around Ballybrit's unique track, but it could still be worth betting that Honoria trumps the lot of them, writes Brian O'Connor.
Dermot Weld's Ghimaar was a hugely impressive handicap winner during the main festival and he will be a popular fancy on Day One of the September festival for the Ardilaun Oyster Stakes.
Celtic Dane is hiked in trip, having won the Galway Mile in July, while Glitter Baby is a course and distance winner.
Proven form around here is always an advantage, but it is still possible to fancy Honoria on which Séamus Heffernan steps in for the suspended John Murtagh.
Her easy maiden victory at Wexford suggests the trip will be no problem and her pedigree indicates Honoria should be able to cope with testing conditions.
Love To Dance is the Ballydoyle hope in the mile and a half maiden and her 90 rating makes her appear a better option than Matters At Hand.
However, both have had lots of chances and maybe Michael Kinane's mount Tarvini can improve for a Gowran debut.
Caim Hill secured a maiden victory over jumps at Sligo and the dual-bumper winner can follow up in the novice hurdle over 2m 4f.
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