Irish Champion 'very possible' for Winter as O'Brien keeps options open

Winter will remain among the possible runners for Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes at Tuesday's forfeit stage, with trainer Aidan O'Brien still considering pitching his flying filly in against his crack colts.

Dual Classic winner Winter, who has won four Group 1s this season, can be backed at 10-1 with Betfred for Leopardstown's €1.25 million Qipco-sponsored highlight, largely on the assumption Ballydoyle will not run her against Churchill and Cliffs Of Moher, and she remains hot favourite for the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes on the same card.

However, asked on Monday for an update ahead of the forfeit stage, O'Brien said: "Winter is in both the Irish Champion and Matron and a decision will be made on which race she'll take in later this week.

"It's very possible that she could run in the Irish Champion Stakes but not decided as of yet."

Churchill, the 2,000 Guineas winner who finished second in the Juddmonte International at York last month, is a general 4-5 favourite for the Irish Champion, with Derby runner-up Cliffs Of Moher as big as 20-1 with bet365. Another stablemate, globetrotter Highland Reel, is a general 7-1 second favourite but appears an unlikely runner.

O'Brien said: "Highland Reel is a good solid horse. We'll decide about him in the morning — he probably won't run on Saturday but we have Churchill and Cliffs Of Moher."

Winter or no Winter, O'Brien's Matron Stakes challenge looks a formidable one, and he said: "The plan is for Rhododendron to head to the Matron and we'll leave Roly Poly in there too."

Jean-Claude Rouget is set to rely on Qemah as his sole representative over Irish Champions Weekend, with Al Shaqab’s dual Royal Ascot winner returning to Leopardstown for a second crack at the Matron.

Qemah was sent off 11-8 favourite for the race 12 months ago but finished third to O'Brien's Alice Springs in what proved her final start at three.

After defeating compatriot Usherette in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Ascot, Qemah was beaten only half a length in fourth behind Roly Poly in the Prix Rothschild at the end of July.

Rouget said: “The Matron is the plan for Qemah. I thought she ran pretty well at Deauville and there were no excuses. She hasn’t run very much, and hopefully is a bit fresher than at this stage of the season last year.”

Rouget enjoyed a landmark evening at Leopardstown 12 months ago, when the now-retired Almanzor was so impressive in winning the Irish Champion Stakes.

But with Mekhtaal having stayed in the United States to continue his career with Graham Motion, Rouget will be without a runner in the 2017 renewal, while two more of his stable stars will be staying nearer to home at the weekend.

“Taareef and Zelzal will both run in the same race, the Prix du Moulin at Chantilly on Sunday,” he said.

If you were interested in this, you might like

Leopardstown next for slow-burner who has rocketed to the top

O'Brien 'very happy' with Caravaggio as Irish Champions Weekend nears

Monday Jury: Joseph O'Brien and co answer the key questions

No ifs and buts - Maybe a joy to watch with Moyglare triumph