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Championship glut honours opportunity over merit
This is a seminal weekend within the evolving structure of the Flat season in Europe. The Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday affords us a last sip of summer wine, while almost simultaneously at Leopardstown, Irish Champions Weekend ushers in the unmistakable gust of autumn.
It is a significant passing of the baton, marking the point when fast-ground horses are at the mercy of the weather. As much was plain from the ruminations of the Monday Jury in this paper two days ago, when the consensus was that Quiet Reflection was most likely to be crowned champion sprinter.
The memory of Limato beating Quiet Reflection decisively on quick ground in the July Cup is already receding fast. From now on, it is as much about opportunity as racing merit.
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