St. Nicholas Abbey, second in the 2012 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) behind Cirrus Des Aigles, is one of six entered for Saturday’s Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown. A winner of the Coronation Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot, he has since been third behind Danedream and Frankel in his last two starts, and faces a stiff challenge from Nathaniel and the resurgent Snow Fairy. UAE Derby (G2) winner Daddy Long Legs is one of three 3-year-old runners in the race, and is likely to certify a strong gallop for his stablemate.
A field of fifteen was assembled for Saturday’s Betfred Sprint Cup (G1) at Haydock, led by the globetrotting Ortensia, winner of the 2012 Al Quoz Sprint (G1). Alums from that the desert will take another shot, including Dandy Boy, the Carnival winner who also took this year’s Wokingham Stakes (Listed) at Royal Ascot, Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) winner Hitchens, and Godolphin’s Soul. The going is expected to be good-to-firm for the trip over six furlongs. William Buick is expected to ride Ortensia before catching a helicopter to Leopardstown to partner Nathaniel.