It started off at Leopardstown and finished off at the Curragh.
Saturday at Leopardstown
The Champions Juvenile Stakes got things moving when Jessica Harrington's Green Impact got the better of favourite Delacrois and not for the first time. They were close together in the market but in those cases the O'Brien runner seems to get the nod at home.
They soon got back (Ballydoyle that is) when Diego Velazquez won the Solonway in record time beating Mutasarref who went right out to 20/1 why we cannot work out and Nountain Bear 20/1.
The Matron saw a great run and a great ride for Portafortuna and now she's going to head to America for the Breeders. Fallen Angel was second and Soprano 14/1 third and again Yland Ylang disappointed.
What more can we say about Economist? He's tough and he's good – in fact he's very good as he beat Auguste Rodin at home by a neck and then ¼ length to A Shin Empreror who was sent off at 16/1 and his connections would be well pleased by that run and now it's on to the Arc in which we think he would have a great chance provided the weather and the draw are not too outrageous. Auguste Rodin will head to the Japan Cup.
On Sunday the action moved to the Curragh with the G2 Blandford going to Johnny Murtagh's Hanalia with Shane Foley riding. Our roughie Wingspan was second and Purple Lily third.
Unfortunately in the Moyglare Stud Bedtime Story was found to be lame after the race which explains her poor result – just hope it is not too serious as she has a lot of talent.
Stablemate Lake Victoria got the win over Simmering who continues to progress.
The Flying Five saw Bradsell establish himself up the top of the sprinters section as he won in race record time with poor Believing the bridesmaid again. Makarova returned to form to run third and deny her 28/1 odds.
The Vincent O'Brien saw Scarthy Champ 12/1 get the better of Henri Matisse who was somewhat wayward in his run (prompting a stewards' enquiry which he managed to get off in) and Seagulls Eleven filled the third spot.
Kyprios did all the right things in the Irish St Leger to win comfortably from Vauban whose run must have pleased Willie Mullins and insured his trip to Melbourne, with Giavelotto third.
