POETIC Flare is on course to take on St Mark’s Basilica and Tarnawa in next Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes.

Jim Bolger has confirmed that his 2000 Guineas and Royal Ascot winner will step up in trip for the Leopardstown race after avoiding a clash with Baaeed in France tomorrow.

Poetic Flare was last seen when just edged out by Palace Pier in a thrilling edition of the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

The trainer told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast: “I’ve got the weather forecast for the week, (and) while it’s going to rain, I don’t think it will be enough to produce soft ground, so I’m taking a chance and at this stage we’re saying we’re going to Leopardstown.”

In a stellar season, Poetic Flare has proved himself without doubt one of the toughest and best milers of recent years. Aside from his big-race victories and run behind Palace Pier he has also been second to stablemate Mac Swiney in the Irish Guineas and runner-up to Alcohol Free in the Sussex Stakes.

Bolger explained that a combination of financial factors and ground conditions at Leopardstown had been key to his decision rather than the potential opposition at either venue.

He said: “(I was tempted to run in France) because I thought Leopardstown might get more rain, but I’m reasonably satisfied now that the going will be okay at Leopardstown.

“I’m not thinking about which is tough, I’m just going for which race I think suits best on the day. I’m not concerned about who goes where – I’m only concerned about the going.

“I can’t be sure (10 furlongs will suit better than a mile), but weighing up all the considerations, it’s been fairly easy for me to opt for Leopardstown.

“If you want to look at the financial side, the winner in Longchamp would take home about €250,000, which is not inconsiderable, and at Leopardstown it will be almost €700,000 I reckon. As someone who has to run the sport-cum-business in a reasonably financial manner, Leopardstown makes more appeal.

“Leopardstown is home as well and we don’t have to spend €80,000 on an aeroplane so, for that reason, Leopardstown was a no-brainer, but then I had to consider the going. They are the only considerations, I’m not concerned about who else is going there as long as there’s room for us.

“It’s been the best mile-and-a-quarter race in the world in the last number of years.”

Top shape

While Bolger is not certain Poetic Flare will thrive for a mile and a quarter, he has seen plenty in his manner of racing to raise to indicate he will.

He said: “This fella wouldn’t know how to be in any other shape – only top shape. That’s the sort of horse he is. He pulls out with his tail up every morning, it doesn’t matter if it’s the day after a race, he’s the same. You just couldn’t give him too much.

“I won’t be confident (about 10 furlongs suiting) until after Saturday week, but I’m reasonably sure by the way he was coming home in his mile races off a very fast pace that he will stay the extra two furlongs.

“If you look at Ascot, (it was) a record time for the race – even faster than the great horses that have won it in the past, including Frankel. He didn’t seem to be stopping as he approached the line so I’m reasonably confident he will get the trip and if he doesn’t, so be it.”