Baileys Irish Champion Stakes Tips (9th Sep)

The Baileys Irish Champion Stakes rarely fails to deliver a race of exceptional quality and, despite the absence of arguably the best mile and a quarter horse in training, David Junior, this year's renewal, run at Leopardstown on September 9, looks set to uphold that tradition. A member of the Classic generation has won this Group 1 event seven times since 1988 and Dylan Thomas flies the flag for that age group this year and is a top-priced 7/4 favourite at the time of writing with tan James. His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, has won three of the last six runnings of this contest, and Dylan Thomas appears to be firmly on the upgrade, beaten in a photo-finish when third in the Vodafone Derby before gaining rich compensation when routing his rivals in the Irish equivalent at The Curragh subsequently. The son of Danehill landed the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes over this course and distance in May, demonstrating that he has the requisite speed for this trip, so the drop back from a mile and a half will not be a problem. However, I have my doubts as to whether he will be good enough to contain the brilliant mare Ouija Board. While Dylan Thomas was mightily impressive when powering home at The Curragh, it is pretty easy to pick holes in that form, whereas Ouija Board has consistently mixed it at the highest level, looks as good as ever this season and rates exceptionally good value at 11/4 with Stan James given her proven class. Although connections had long thought that she was better at a mile and a half, the daughter of Cape Cross has looked very good over ten furlongs this season, beating the likes of Electrocutionist and David Junior in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and last time out at Glorious Goodwood she got the better of Alexander Goldrun in one of the best finishes to a race in modern times in the Nassau Stakes. The Nassau wasn't run to suit either mare as the pace wasn't particularly strong, but to their credit they both stamped their authority in the races, fighting out a cracking finish, with Ouija Board winning by a nostril. Ed Dunlop's charge deserves particular credit, as Frankie Dettori found himself in front far earlier than he would have liked, fully three furlongs out, but his mount stuck to the task magnificently. That said, nothing should be taken away from Alexander Goldrun, who looked sure to prevail when getting her head in front just over a furlong out, but just couldn't shake off Ouija Board. Jim Bolger's stable star was unlucky in running when finishing well to beaten under a length into third behind Oratorio and Motivator in this race last year, and she is nigh-on certain to go close again. Dylan Thomas has by far the most scope for improvement in the race and it wouldn't be at all surprising if he were to bridge the gap needed to take this. But he does have a fair bit to prove now that he is taking on such high class elders, and at current odds he is well worth taking on in my opinion. I feel pretty confident about Ouija Board winning, but I am also inclined to recommend a small saver Manduro, as Andre Fabre has a good line through all the top middle distance form through Hurricane Run and Shirocco, and he looks too big at 14/1 with Stan James to my mind. The four-year-old has been banging on the door at trip between a mile and ten furlongs at the highest level this season, including when a close-up third behind Ouija Board at Royal Ascot. The son of Monsun shaped as though a return to this trip was just what the doctor ordered when staying on finish a neck second to Librettist in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville last time. The ex-Germain trained colt does have a bit to find in order to trouble the likes of Ouija Board and Alexander Goldrun, but he is relatively lightly raced for his age and he possesses the right blend of speed and stamina to win a Group 1 race over a mile and a quarter at some stage soon. Maraahel generally comes up short at the highest level, and I can't envisage him winning this. Mustameet, who is under the same ownership as Maraahel, is far more interesting. He had plenty left in the tank when beating Chelsea Rose by three lengths in a Group 2 at The Curragh latest. He needs to improve to get involved in a race of this quality, but he is tough and genuine and should give a good account of himself. Verdict: 2pts Ouija Board @ 11/4 (Stan James) & 0.50pts e/w Manduro @ 14/1 (Stan James)