The crowdpulling magnet of a long-awaited duel survived one critical deadline yesterday but spectators flocking to Leopardstown tomorrow may still face deep disappointment when they arrive.
Sea The Stars, easily the biggest equine draw of the season, was left in the Tattersalls Million Irish Champion Stakes at final declaration stage but John Oxx, his trainer, has emphasised he could be withdrawn at any stage up to lunchtime on race day.
It had seemed that the deluges of Wednesday, which brought almost an inch of rain to south Dublin, had ended all chance of the Derby winner lining up against Fame And Glory, who won the Irish equivalent for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore. Oxx, however, may feel an obligation to this race, having not yet run the colt in his homeland this year. Already, he has prevented the early deflation of a lengthy marketing campaign.
Such patriotic loyalty will not extend to running the horse in unsuitable ground, though. Oxx, scrupulous in keeping everyone informed, made this plain when he stated: “He would not race there today or tomorrow. If there are further heavy showers, they will ruin all chance of him racing. But if the showers avoid Leopardstown, we will delay a final decision until midday on Saturday.”
Irish racing may seem healthy in its track performances but it is facing financial meltdown on a far more severe scale than has yet afflicted the sport in Britain. The Champion Stakes has become its showpiece event in a Flat calendar that does not approach jumping for popularity - hence the anxiety for tomorrow's cast to be preserved.
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Tom Burke, general manager at Leopardstown, was suddenly upbeat after declaration time, saying: “The track is in better condition than we anticipated. At present, the weather forecast is encouraging and we look forward to seeing all nine horses line up.”
Five of the nine are in training with O'Brien, who has added colour to the mix by declaring Mastercraftsman, twice a group one winner over a mile, to take on his stamina-laden stablemate, Fame And Glory.
Yet again, there is no British representation in a high-profile race but the dearth of middle-distance stars does not extend to sprinting. A field of 14 for the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock tomorrow includes most of the fastest horses in the land. High Standing, the favourite, will be a first group one mount in Kieren Fallon's comeback and two more spare rides were allotted yesterday - Stephane Pasquier travels from France to partner Main Aim for Sir Michael Stoute and Jim Crowley deputises for the suspended Richard Hughes on JJ The Jet Plane.