Gosden's flying filly will love Leopardstown

Irish Champions Weekend kicks off with an excellent card at Leopardstown on Saturday. The main event on the card is the Irish Champion Stakes, a Group One which has been won by legendary horses like Dylan Thomas, Golden Horn and Sea The Stars.

Here's our free guide to the 2023 Irish Champion Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2023 Irish Champion Stakes Odds

Strong cases can be made for the majority of the runners in this stunning renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes. Tactics, however, could be all-important.

Aidan O'Brien almost always has a pacemaker in the race and Point Lonsdale, who made the running in the King George, will likely go forward early from stall eight. Last year's winner, Luxembourg is a very strong stayer over this distance and Auguste Rodin has proven his stamina over the Epsom Derby trip, so I'm expecting Point Lonsdale to try and set the race up for one of his stronger-staying stablemates.

King Of Steel will relish a fast early pace, as will the French raider, Onesto. For me, the jury is still out on how good this year's crop of Classic colts really is, so I'm happy to take King Of Steel on at his current price. Onesto, meanwhile, has only been seen once so far this season and fast ground might not be to his advantage.

The progressive Alflaila will likely be held up out the back. As will NASHWA and, for me, John and Thady Gosden's filly appeals most at the current prices, given that she only has to give the three-year-olds three pounds at the weights.

Nashwa was last seen placing second behind Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International Stakes. The winner made all and set a rapid time that day, but Hollie Doyle's mount - who had struggled behind a slow pace on heavy ground at Goodwood on her previous start - rose to the challenge brilliantly, crossing the line just a length behind Mostahdaf and a neck ahead of this season's outstanding three-year-old, Paddington.

The conditions of Saturday's race will be similar to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf that Nashwa ran in at Keeneland last autumn. Doyle's mount gave herself far too much to do in that contest following a dreadful start, but Nashwa made up tons of late ground to finish fourth behind Tuesday, who set a record for the Breeders' Cup in winning that contest.

Nashwa must have come out of the Juddmonte International Stakes in good order and we saw how well Doyle's mount took her racing during a busy three-year-old campaign last season. A fast pace and a sprint to the finish is exactly what Nashwa wants and I'm certain that the track at Leopardstown - which usually puts more emphasis on speed over stamina - will suit.

2023 Irish Champion Stakes Live Stream

Irish Champion Stakes Live Stream page.