Rebel Tale (right) chases home Armory in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Rebel Tale bids to provide Andrew Slattery with one of the biggest wins of his training career to date when he lines up for the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Navan maiden winner was a largely unconsidered 50-1 shot for last month’s Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh, but outran those huge odds to fill the runner-up spot behind Aidan O’Brien’s odds-on favourite Armory.
The American-bred juvenile gets the chance to prove that effort was no fluke on the opening afternoon of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, and Slattery is confident his charge is going into the one-mile Group Two in tip-top shape.
He said: “Everything is good. The horse seems in good form, and I think he’s come forward again since the Curragh the last day.
“He seems to be an improving horse and he looks to be going there with every chance.
“We had a Group Two winner a couple of years ago, with Creggs Pipes, and it would be great to have another one. It’s great just to have a runner on a big day like this, never mind a fancied one, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Rebel Tale is set to face six rivals, three of which are trained by Aidan O’Brien.
The Ballydoyle handler has saddled five of the last seven winners of this event and this year sends out course-and-distance winner Cormorant dual winner Royal County Down and recent Curragh victor Mogul
The latter — a full-brother to last month’s Juddmonte International hero Japan — is seemingly the first string under Ryan Moore.
O’Brien said: “We’ve always liked him (Mogul), and he has done everything nice. He had a lovely first run and progressed well to his second run.
“His brother Japan didn’t go to a Group One at two. We want to think of next year with him.”
Jim Bolger ’s maiden Agitare the Tony Mullins-trained course scorer Howling Wolf and Michael Halford’s Curragh winner Sinawann are the other hopefuls.
Halford said: “It’s a big step up from a maiden to a Group Two. But he was impressive in his maiden, and we think he’s come forward since.
“His preparation has gone well. It looks a very competitive race, but that’s what you’d expect.”
Halford is also represented in the Clipper Logistics Boomerang Stakes by the admirable mare Surrounding
The daughter of Lilbourne Lad has finished in the first three in 17 of her 23 starts and claimed her eighth career win in a Listed contest at the Galway Festival on her latest outing.
“She’s been a wonderful servant and she’s had a great year,” the trainer added.
“She has a bit to find on ratings, but we felt she was entitled to have a crack at a Group Two — and if she could be placed, we’d be delighted.”
David O’Meara’s British challenger Suedois bids for his second win in the Group Two contest. The consistent gelding claimed this prize in 2017 and returns in fine form, following a recent Group Three success at Goodwood.
Another leading contender is O’Brien’s unbeaten colt Lancaster House — who turns out just five days after completing his hat-trick in a Listed event at Listowel.
Group Three honours are up for grabs in the Paddy Power Betting Shop Stakes.
Joseph O’Brien’s Buckhurst is bidding to complete a hat-trick at this level, following wins in the International Stakes and the Royal Whip at the Curragh.
“He’s been very progressive this year and he seems in good form,” said the trainer.
“We think the step up to a mile and a half will suit him, and we’re hoping for a good run.”
The history-making One Cool Poet is one of 18 runners set to go to post for the 150,000 euro Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Petingo” Handicap.
Matthew Smith ’s inmate became the first horse to win three Flat races in the same week at the Galway Festival, and is out to complete a four-timer this weekend.
“We gave him a two-week break after Galway,” said Smith.
“This has been the plan since. It couldn’t not be with that prize-money — and the owners are buzzing.
“I won the Grade Two Flyingbolt Chase at Navan with Rawnaq, but this would rival that if he won.”
