Series stars to light up weekend

Minding, who has won three races in this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series, runs at Leopardstown on Saturday evening. Picture: Racingfotos.com

No fewer than 11 winners of the QIPCO British Champions Series races are in action this weekend.

Five clash in one compelling race, the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (6.45).

Between them Minding (1000 Guineas, Oaks and Nassau); Harzand (Derby); My Dream Boat (Prince of Wales’s Stakes); Hawkbill (Coral-Eclipse) and Highland Reel (King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes) have won almost a quarter of the races in this year’s Series.

Found, runner-up in five Series races without managing to win one, contests the same race.

Earlier on the card, Qemah (Coronation Stakes winner) and Alice Springs (Falmouth) will clash in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes, while US Army Ranger, the Derby runner-up, will line up in a Group 3 event on the card.

On Sunday, the past two Gold Cup winners – Order Of St George and Trip To Paris – will meet in the Palmerston House Estate Irish St Leger, with Sole Power appearing in one of the supporting races.

Meanwhile, in France, Goldream (2015 King’s Stand winner) will be in action.

With the Derby third, Idaho, odds-on for the Ladbrokes St Leger, it will be a surprise if horses who have not left a mark on the Series do not enjoy further success.