Dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire} has been the subject of an upbeat bulletin from trainer Dermot Weld, who is preparing the Aga Khan homebred for his next major target, the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Sept. 10.
“I've had Harzand back in for a couple of weeks and he probably looks better than ever,” said Weld.
“The present plan is that he's likely to run at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes and then the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.”
Harzand could be joined at Leopardstown by his stablemate, Newtown Anner Stud's Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who in May added the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup to his victory in last season's G1 QIPCO British Champion S.
Weld said of the 5-year-old stallion, who also holds an entry for next week's G1 Juddmonte International S. at York, “He isn't quite there. He can run in the Irish Champion as well.”
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