CHAMPION STAKES PREVIEW: HOPES APPEAR high that Fame And Glory will be able to secure another Group One prize when he lines up for today's Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien’s star is the headline act on a hugely valuable programme that also sees Jim Bolger attempting an unprecedented four-in-a-row in the Dewhurst Stakes with the Godolphin-bound Chabal. With runners also in the Cesarewitch, the Challenge Stakes and the Rockfel Stakes, it could be a big day for the Irish, but there will be a certain amount of sentiment behind Fame And Glory’s bid.
Normally sentiment is not a word associated with Ballydoyle’s remorseless big-race trawl, but this looks a different case. Were it not for being foaled in the same year as Sea The Stars, Fame And Glory would be a dual-Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner in 2009, and despite managing only sixth in the Arc he has been a worthy opponent for John Oxx’s superstar all season.
Despite such a supporting role, on ratings he remains one of the best horses trained by O’Brien, his 129 mark makes him superior to High Chaparral and Rock Of Gibraltar. With Rip Van Winkle and Mastercraftsman waiting for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, O’Brien will be hoping Fame And Glory can start a resounding end-of-season campaign.
The omens look good, as that Arc blip, Fame And Glory’s first time out of the first two, can be explained by a less-than-trouble-free passage and a less-than-frantic early pace.
Today he is up against a top filly, Sariska, and a French Group One performer in Never On Sunday, but overall this opposition, and the 10-furlong trip, shouldn’t be a problem for Fame And Glory at his best.
Chabal switches to Godolphin after the Dewhurst, but there should be a final hurrah for the Bolger team as the Co Carlow trainer has stated he believes this colt has a better chance than Teofilo, New Approach or Intense Focus.
Galway Hurdle winner Bahrain Storm represents Gary Carroll and Pat Flynn in the Cesarewitch, and the Co Waterford trainer is also represented in today’s home feature, Cork’s Listed Navigation Stakes, which features 15 runners attempting to secure a valuable black-type prize.
Worldly Wise and Thewaytosanjose are the Flynn runners, but O’Brien has three, including Chief Lone Eagle, who raced on the other side of the track when beaten by Galileo’s Choice at Navan last time. Seamus Heffernan is on Chief Lone Eagle today, and the Ballydoyle number two is also on board the Galileo newcomer Don Carlos in the seven-furlong juvenile maiden. However, this one faces a tough task against Shintoh.
