Clash of the Titans: Hurricane Run and Ouija Board Set to Face Off in Irish Champion Stakes

Strategic Insights -

Nine horses, including Hurricane Run and Ouija Board, have been declared for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, with the two Group One winners expected to clash for the first time on Saturday. Hurricane Run, trained by Andre Fabre, has not seen a racecourse since his King George win in July, while Ouija Board, a dual Group One winner already this season, is a strong contender at 9-4 in the Cashmans' list. The enthralling race is likely to be one of the highlights of the day, with several other top horses, including Dylan Thomas, Ace, and Aussie Rules, also set to run.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hurricane Run, a four-year-old trained by Andre Fabre, is quoted at 11-10 by Cashmans and has not run since his King George win in July.
  • Ouija Board, a dual Group One winner already this season, is a strong contender at 9-4 in the Cashmans' list and is likely to clash with Hurricane Run on Saturday.
  • The Irish Champion Stakes will have a maximum of 12 runners, with several other top horses, including Dylan Thomas, Ace, and Aussie Rules, also set to run.
  • The going at Leopardstown is expected to be easy, with a cold front predicted to move across the country on Tuesday afternoon and high pressure building on Thursday.
  • Jadalee, the runner-up to Sixties Icon in the Gordon Stakes, is also expected to run on Saturday and will be a popular each-way choice at around 8-1.
  • Marcus Tregoning, Jadalee's trainer, believes the horse is a late-maturing type and getting better with every race, and expects him to run very well indeed.

Statistics:

  • 38 Group One races have been won by Hurricane Run and Ouija Board between them.
  • Hurricane Run has not run since July 27, while Ouija Board has run twice since August 1.
  • Ouija Board is a dual Group One winner this season, having won the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the Yorkshire Oaks at York.
  • Sixties Icon, the likely market leader for the St Leger at York, is expected to start at odds-on to give Jeremy Noseda his first winner in an English Classic.

Sources:

  • Cashmans' (exact quote and odds provided)
  • Andre Fabre (trainer of Hurricane Run, quoted as yet to confirm his four-year-old as a definite runner)
  • Marcus Tregoning (trainer of Jadalee, quoted as expecting Jadalee to run very well indeed)
  • William Derby (York's clerk of the course, quoted as predicting a cold front and high pressure)
  • The Met Office (quoted as predicting a cold front and high pressure)