Review LEOPARDSTOWN 10TH SEP

Oratorio capped a memorable day for Aidan O'Brien when confirming his superiority over Motivator in a thrilling renewal of the million euro Baileys Irish Champion Stakes.

The Danehill colt repeated his half length Eclipse Stakes victory over the Derby winner, produced with a steady run in the straight by Kieren Fallon to lead inside the final furlong.

Alexander Goldrun finished best of all just a head back in third, while Azamour was unable to raise his effort inside the final quarter mile back in fifth.

'I don't have to talk about this horse as he does all the talking. He's lazy and just does enough but is very courageous.

'The ground doesn't seem to matter to him,' said O'Brien, whose Scorpion landed the St Leger at Doncaster just half an hour earlier.

Michael Bell was 'thrilled' with the performance of Motivator saying, 'He's only beaten half a length by a very good horse over 1 1/4m, and that will set him up well for the Arc.'

However bookmaker opinion on the 'Arc' was divided with Motivator quoted between 5/2 and 6/1 for the Longchamp showpiece, behind general favourite Hurricane Run.

O'Brien initiated a four-timer at the Foxrock venue with a 1-2 in the 2yo 7f maiden, and the market proved a good guide as the supposed 'second string' Septimus justified support (20/1-10/1).

The son of Sadler's Wells was partnered by Wayne Lordan, replacing Colm O'Donoghue who was held up in traffic, and rallied well in the closing stages to deny stablemate Arabian Prince by 1/2L.

'They are two lovely colts, and should both come on a lot from the run. They are well entered up including the Racing Post,' said O'Brien.

Briolette benefitted from a strong drive by Fallon to touch off Burren Rose by a neck in the fillies handicap, while the same combination also scored with Dylan Thomas.

The Danehill colt drifted badly right in the straight of the Irish Breeders Foal Levy Stakes but still enjoyed a 3/4L verdict over Royal Power.

Attraction recorded her tenth win and fourth at Group 1 level when successfully employing her characteristic front-running tactics under Kevin Darley in the Matron Stakes.

The 4yo stayed on gamely as a wall of challengers lined up behind, and she had 3/4L to spare at the line over Chic with Virginia Waters another half length back in third.

Deirdre Johnston, representing her husband Mark, said, 'I knew from riding her before and after her latest run at Newbury that she was coming back to her best.'

'She has a number of options now including the Sun Chariot, the QE2 and a couple of races in America if the ground is suitable.'

Alayan is on target for the Group 2 Prix Dollar on 'Arc' weekend after overcoming a four months lay-off in the Listed Kilternan Stakes.

The Aga Khan's home-bred son of Sri Pekan drifted wide in the straight under Christophe Soumillon but came home strongly to deny the front-running Good Surprise by 3/4L.

'He was supposed to run in the French Derby but was off colour before the race and for quite a while afterwards. He's very consistent and handles cut in the ground,' said John Oxx.

Hard Rock City made it four wins from as many starts (three at this track) when holding on by a neck under Niall McCullagh in the seven furlongs handicap.

'He missed all of last week with a slight setback, and could come back here at the end of the season for the Listed Knockaire Stakes,' said trainer Michael Grassick.

Fields Of Joy (Robbie Burke) quickened up on the stands side a furlong out to take the 9f handicap by 1 1/2L from Bush Maiden.

Alan Magee