Irish Champion Stakes preview: Today's Baileys Irish Champion Stakes has been widely billed as round two of the Ouija Board-Alexander Goldrun epic but the Leopardstown feature could yet ultimately end up with Dylan Thomas striking a much-needed blow for the classic generation.

Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby hero only got the green light to run in the €1 million centrepiece three days ago but Hurricane Run's absence does at least allow one three-year-old to take on his elders. Mind you, on the evidence of this year so far, that is not a prospect to have Dylan Thomas's opponents exactly quivering.

The Eclipse, the Sussex and the Juddmonte to mention just a few races have resulted in nothing but bitter defeat for the younger brigade. Dylan Thomas himself contributed to that dismal record with a distinctly underwhelming fourth to Notnowcato at York last month and, at first glance, the star billing for the two older mares looks to be entirely justified.

After all, not for nothing has last month's Nassau Stakes already been labelled the race of the season. Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun presented us with one of those rare toe-to-toe thrillers that present the game at its very best.

Ouija Board may have literally nosed the result that time but on her home ground this time, the Irish filly will be widely expected to edge any nod that's going.

It would be desperately galling, then, for Kevin Manning and Jim Bolger if something else came to "do" their stable star, especially in the light of a desperately unlucky run in the race last year behind Oratorio, but that nightmare outcome could come true. With Rob Roy's late defection, this afternoon's five-strong field is the smallest in the 30-year history of the race and a big question mark over the contest will be where the pace comes from.

Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun usually race from off the early speed, as does Mustameet. In the circumstances, the initiative looks to lie firmly with the Ballydoyle camp, and that is always a dangerous prospect for the opposition.

It will be intriguing to see how Aidan O'Brien's instructions to Kieren Fallon and Michael Kinane unfold.

Ace will hardly be reduced to a pacemaker role with Kinane on board but making the pace crucially doesn't look like being a problem for Dylan Thomas. He made much of the running over the course and distance last May and led the Epsom Derby until just inches from the line.

There is the concern of his last race but the vibes from Ballydoyle before that race were that Dylan Thomas was pushed to make York. He should be sharper today and the ground looks to have come right for him.

Certainly, if Fallon ends up getting an uncontested lead, it could spell big trouble for the older horses because he is one man who doesn't need a head start.

So far this season, most of the three-year-old crop have looked like they might need such a start but there is no denying the impression Dylan Thomas made at the Curragh last July.

It was enough to earn him a rating which puts him bang in the firing line today.