Hawkbill just 'perfect' for toughest test
Godolphin colt Hawkbill has enjoyed the perfect preparation for Saturday's G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, according to his trainer Charlie Appleby.
And the G1 Coral-Eclipse winner will need to be at his peak as he meets arguably the strongest G1 field assembled for many seasons, in a championship race that has attracted 13 runners of the highest reputation.
"I have been pleased with Hawkbill since his run in the G1 Juddmonte (International, at York)," Appleby said.
"He is a G1 winner against older horses over this trip and hasn't put a foot wrong in his preparation for this race. In saying that, it is shaping up as one of the stronger races this year, which means he will have to be at his best.
"I am keeping an eye on the forecast and remain hopeful he will get conditions to suit," he added.
Appleby was of the opinion that the ground at York was too quick for Hawkbill when the colt finished eighth to Postponed in the Juddmonte last month. In his post-race analysis, the trainer said that in future he would be looking for softish going for Hawkbill, who remains one of the biggest improvers all year.
Hawkbill will be lining up against the Aga Khan's dual Derby winner Harzand as well as Ballydoyle's multiple G1-winning Classic heroine Minding -- plus the Prix du Jockey-Club winner Almanzor, and last year's Breeders' Cup Turf winner Found. And there are many others with outstanding credentials.
Jim Bolger will run Godolphin's Moonlight Magic, the winner of the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial earlier in the campaign.
The depth of representation at the Irish Champions Weekend cannot be underestimated -- they run at Leopardstown on Saturday and the Curragh on Sunday -- and there is little doubt many of the races over the two days will be regular reference points when championship honours are decided by a panel of handicappers in December.
The G1 Matron Stakes has attracted eight runners, which includes Godolphin's Devonshire, trained by Willie McCreery.
She will oppose Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Jet Setting, dual G1 winner Qemah, G1 Falmouth Stakes winner Alice Springs, plus the unbeaten Persuasive.
On the same card, the Bolger-trained Tribal Beat will carry Godolphin colours in the G2 Boomerang Stakes, over one mile.
Tribal Beat, a Street Cry colt, won the G3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown last start, which sends the three-year-old into battle with decent credentials against the older milers.
