LEOPARDSTOWN CHAMPION STAKES:LEOPARDSTOWN WILL try to stage the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes card tomorrow if the Dublin track fails a 7am inspection today. But it looks like it has already lost one of its star attractions, Duke Of Marmalade.
Aidan O'Brien's colt had been expected to line up in a much anticipated clash with New Approach in today's €1 million feature.
However, O'Brien's fears about testing ground conditions for Duke Of Marmalade were realised with a vengeance yesterday as heavy rain provoked an inspection to see if racing can go ahead at all.
"We will have to see what happens. We would love to run but with all this rain it doesn't look good. We will leave a decision until the morning," said O'Brien, who earlier in the week had expressed doubts about "The Duke" running at all if the ground were soft.
Yesterday evening's official going report was "soft".
Almost two inches of rain fell on Leopardstown in 10 hours yesterday, forcing the authorities to call an inspection after what they described as "extraordinary" weather.
"We had 45mm between four in the morning and two this afternoon. It's been an extraordinary amount of rain," said the Leopardstown manager, Tom Burke, yesterday.
"There are bits of casual water on the track, but in the circumstances you would expect that. There is a possibility of some more rain overnight, but if we get a decent break I think we will have a reasonable chance of racing on Saturday," he added.
Burke also confirmed that if racing isn't possible today, the prestigious meeting will be transferred to tomorrow.
The fact that racing will go ahead at some stage will please New Approach's trainer, Jim Bolger, as he prepares the Derby winner for a race that New Approach's dam, Park Express, won in 1986.
"The ground looks like it will be testing, which is not much of a concern, although we wouldn't want it too bad," he said. "Obviously he was very fresh at Newmarket (in the Juddmonte International), but we think we have that sorted out. He is in great form."
If Duke Of Marmalade is ruled out, then hopes of a toe-to-toe scrap in the mould of Galileo versus Fantastic Light might have to make way for a coronation in the style of Suave Dancer or a Pilsudski.
New Approach's form is in a different league to his other opposition, and even with Duke Of Marmalade around his proven ability to act on the ground would make him favourite to add to Irish racing's most distinguished roll-of-honour.
Another trainer who will relish the prospects of racing going ahead on soft ground will be Dermot Weld, who could enjoy a bumper afternoon.
Carribean Sunset has yet to win at the top level, but she proved her ability to act on a dig over the course and distance of the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes on her last start.
Along with the English hope Nahoodh, a winner of the Falmouth Stakes on soft ground, that proven ability on testing ground will be a big plus for Carribean Sunset. Even her wide draw in stall 10 could be a help, as fields can run wide at Leopardstown in order to find better ground.
A wide draw could also work in Carefree Smile's favour in the opening maiden, while, on figures, Famous Name should have little more than a workout to win the Group Three Kilternan Stakes having been an unlucky loser of the French Derby in June.
Weld runs Akrisun in the juvenile maiden, but this looks a good opportunity for the Bolger team, too, as Vocalised returns to the scene of his promising debut behind Sea The Stars.
There was a lot to like about the way Vocalised ran on here last month and he could put the seal on a memorable weekend for jockey Kevin Manning.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)