Weld pondering Prix Niel for Derby star Harzand

Harzand: out to deliver first Irish Champion Stakes for Weld and Smullen

Harzand: dual Classic winner prefers ease in the groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dermot Weld is ready to take the wraps off his dual-Derby winner Harzand after an extended summer break and revealed his big Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hope could bypass the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and head to France next instead.

Owned and bred by the Aga Khan, Harzand is a top-priced 2-1 favourite for the Leopardstown Group 1 on Saturday week, but Weld warned there would need to be some ease in the ground for the three-year-old to run, with the Prix Niel the day after the Irish Champion an alternative as his final stopping point before the Arc on October 2.

Stablemate Fascinating Rock, a top-priced 13-2, could also miss Leopardstown with Weld not wanting the ground to come up too quick for the Qipco Champion Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner.

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Tony O'HehirRacing Post Reporter

Published on 28 August 2016inNews

Last updated 17:28, 28 August 2016

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