'We hope he has a big chance' - Emporio to test Irish Champions Weekend form

Tuesday: 3.45 Cork
Navigation Stakes (Listed Race) | 1m | 3yo+ | RTV

Donnacha O'Brien has hit the crossbar by finishing second – either as a rider or trainer – in three of last six runnings of this Listed prize, but Emporio holds leading claims of providing him with an overdue breakthrough in the race.

A decisive winner on his return from a 425-day break at Tipperary two starts ago, he emerged with plenty of credit from his fourth in the Sovereign Path Handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.

There were three British-trained runners in the line-up on that occasion who finished 1-2-5, so Emporio can be considered right up there with the pick of the domestic squad in that €150,000 contest.

Emporio (leader): boasts rating of 100 for Donnacha O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Statement, trained by Joseph O'Brien, looks a live player for a team seeking a third win in the space of five runnings of this race.

Making her stable debut after a 98-day break, she wasn't entirely disgraced despite only beating one home in the Boomerang Mile on Irish Champions Weekend and is entitled to come forward for that effort while also dropping in class.

Ger Lyons farmed this race from 2015 to 2017 with admirable stalwart Brendan Brackan and launches a two-pronged attack on the 2022 edition through Affogato and Georgeville.

Colin Keane favours the former, who will appreciate reverting to calmer waters after being beaten into sixth in the Matron Stakes last time. She could be suited by this track and trip.

Monaasib has got his career right back on track after a bit of a spell in the doldrums, and he can run better than his mark of 96 suggests.

Affogato: seeks her third win of the season for Ger Lyons and Colin KeaneCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The in-form Michael O'Callaghan team are represented by Great Max, who probably ran better than the bare form suggests when last seen fifth in a 7f Listed event at Chester in early July, and premier handicap winner Fastnet Crown.

What they say

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Emporio
We've been happy with how he's been since Leopardstown. He ran a cracker there off a big weight. There was a bit of shuffling around early on and he might have gone even closer if he had been a little more forward. Ideally we'd like to be drawn a bit lower [than stall 11 of 12] as he likes some cover but we hope he has a big chance.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Fastnet Crown and Great Max
Fastnet Crown wasn't helped by his draw last time in the Irish Cambridgeshire. He's going to Dubai over the winter, he likes fast ground, and his owner would like to try for some black type here given his pedigree. Great Max didn't run badly around a tricky track at Chester last time. He's always worked well and has some good form from last year. He seems well enough to have a crack at this.

Joe Murphy, trainer of Celtic Crown
She ran well at Listowel last week when not beaten too far and she might have been a bit unlucky. Hopefully this race should suit, although she'd prefer another furlong. We're expecting another good run.

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