An Irish Champions Festival to remember? Assessing Christophe Soumillon's star-studded book of rides on day one at Leopardstown

With Ryan Moore out injured Christophe Soumillon has stepped into the breach for Ballydoyle and he has strong book of rides to look forward to at Leopardstown on Saturday as the Irish Champions Festival gets underway. Here, we run through the jockey's chances . . .

Diamond Necklace

2.15 Leopardstown: Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes (7f, Listed)

A half-sister to Australian Group 1 winner Magic Wand and Irish Oaks winner Chicquita, this daughter of St Mark's Basilica went through the sales ring at €1.7 million as a yearling last August.

She was sent off at 9-1 behind a stronger-fancied stablemate on debut over 7f at the Curragh last month and showed a good attitude to score by a length and a half after squeezing through a tight gap two furlongs out.

The runner-up has let that form down with an odds-on defeat next time, but Diamond Necklace is open to plenty of improvement and warrants respect.

Diamond Necklace14:15 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

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Montreal

3.20 Leopardstown: KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (1m, Group 2)

Montreal, a son of 2,000 Guineas, Arc and Derby winner Sea The Stars, is pitched into his first Group race on Saturday on his third start.

The colt scored by eight lengths in a mile maiden at Leopardstown last month on his second outing, taking a step forward from his debut third at the same track. His main market rival appears to be stablemate Benvenuto Cellini, the mount of Ronan Whelan.

Montreal15:20 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

Acapulco Bay

3.50 Leopardstown: CMG Group Stakes (1m4f, Group 3)

This colt has won just one of his eight starts and a career-best effort is required now returning to Group company.

He finished third in a handicap at Galway last time but more will be needed in this contest against some proven performers at this level.

Acapulco Bay15:50 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

January

4.25 Leopardstown: Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (1m, Group 1)

January was a highly creditable second when beaten a head by Fallen Angel in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month, when partnered by Soumillon for the first time.

She has yet to win over a mile but has been a consistent performer this campaign. January wears cheekpieces for the first time, which could bring some improvement, although she needs to reverse form with Fallen Angel and Cercene.

January16:25 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

Expanded

4.55 Leopardstown: Tonybet Solonaway Stakes (1m, Group 2)

Expanded has his first start since trailing in last in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh in May, having also disappointed at Newmarket that month.

This represents a drop in class and his juvenile form, including a neck second to Shadow Of Light in the Dewhurst, reads well. He should not be discounted despite a long absence and could outrun his double-figure odds.

Expanded16:55 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

Delacroix 

5.30 Leopardstown: Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (1m2f, Group 1)

Soumillon's most high-profile ride on Saturday is Coral-Eclipse winner Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Ombudsman reversed the Sandown form with Delacroix in the Juddmonte International at York, but with the Godolphin star absent this looks a good opportunity for Delacroix to gain a second Group 1 win.

Delacroix is entered in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Qipco Champion Stakes and this race is sure to provide some further clues for the autumn, with Anmaat and Shin Emperor among his opponents.

Delacroix17:30 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

London City

6.05 Leopardstown: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (1m5f handicap) 

London City bids to bounce back from a no-show in the Ebor in this €150,000 handicap.

The son of Justify out of Classic winner Winter was far from disgraced in the Group 2 Curragh Cup on his penultimate start and remains fairly lightly raced over extended trips.

London City18:05 Leopardstown

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Jky: Christophe Soumillon Tnr: A P O'Brien

Read this next:

Confirmed runners and riders for the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday as Ballydoyle jockey bookings are revealed 

Mouthwatering match-ups: who will come out on top in this weekend's feast of Group 1 battles? 

'He looks the clear value' - why this horse can win at the St Leger meeting or the Irish Champions Festival 

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