Al Kazeem v Declaration Of War might not happen

Posted by Andy at Bet1015.com on 06/09/2013

The Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes comes from Leopardstown on Saturday evening and it is set to be another cracking race in what is a huge day of Flat racing.

This is a Group 1 encounter held over a distance of one mile and two furlongs and you only have to look at the field to see just how prestigious this race is.

The talented Al Kazeem holds an entry right now, as does Declaration Of War and many would love to see these two lock horns in another epic battle.

They were last seen battling it out in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York and it was Declaration Of War who got the better on that day. However, Al Kazeem had four wins from four to his name in 2013 before then and beat Aidan O'Brien's charge in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown Park.

Although many would love to see them lock horns once more, the rain forecast at the racecourse could mean that one of them is withdrawn. If the track suits Al Kazeem, it might be too slow for Declaration Of War.

Prior to the race, clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer said it is unlikely that both of these horses will be in action.

He said: "We're not sure exactly how much (rain the track will get), but they are talking from Friday midnight through to the early part of Saturday. We are maybe looking at 15 or 20 millimetres of rain.

"Unfortunately, it may be slow enough for Al Kazeem, but if it's slow enough for him, it will be too slow for Declaration Of War. We would love to have them all here, but that's unlikely."

Of course, you never quite know what the weather is going to do and there is a chance that we will see these two much-fancied horses in action, but even if we don't, there is still bags of quality in this race.

The Fugue has shown just what she is capable of this year and comes here on the back of a win at York, so could be another one to keep an eye on - especially as William Buick is the man doing the steering.

Declaration Of War's stablemate - Kingsbarns - is another to watch, as is Trading Leather.

We might not see the epic battle between the two favourites that many had been hoping for, but this race is all-but certain to be a thriller.

Get the Odds on Al Kazeem HERE

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