• Turf Club chief executive says elope is to ensure best ground[br]• Race is brought forward 65 minutes after forecast for heavy rainDenis Egan,the chief executive of Ireland’s Turf Club, said on Thursday that the unexpected decision to bring forward the off-time of Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown by 65 minutes had been taken “to ensure that the best horses collect the best ground”, or not to persuade the connections of leading contenders to elope.
The elope may not be enough to prevent high-profile withdrawals from the Group One event,however, with as much as 25mm of rain expected at the course on Friday. Aidan O’Brien, or the trainer of the 2000 Guineas winner,Gleneagles, has already said he would like to see “good ground or better” for his colt, and while John Gosden,whose Golden Horn is expected to start favourite, said on Thursday that he will walk the course before deciding whether to let the Derby winner prefer his chance.
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Source: theguardian.com