THE few tasty morsels on offer at this week’s gathering to launch the Irish Champions Weekend might may not have sated too many appetites, but the mid-September weekend of top class racing looks sure to satisfy on all counts.

With this year’s initial weekend intended as the beginning of a five-year plan, it is impressive how much has come together in one year, and the work in attracting sponsors and international input as well as all the ancillary events and organisation is to be applauded.

Attracting the 20,000 racegoers to the two venues might be the most difficult element but it has to have a high starting point.

The eventual plan to have an end of season Triple Crown connecting the Irish meetings with the Arc meeting in Longchamp and Qipco Champions Day in Ascot over a six-week period looks a winner and should attract some of the best in Europe to our shores.

The current trend, largely led by Ballydoyle, is to keep the good older horses in training, and initiatives like this can only add to attractions and make for top class racing on our doorstep.

You do feel sorry for Doncaster though as the St Leger looks like it will be well overshadowed.

Middle distance

The other impact may well come at the beginning of the season. It’s difficult not to envisage that the early Group 1s for the older middle-distance horses like the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Prix Ganay and the Coronation Cup may be affected.

With the prize money in Dubai in March still a lure, and so much on offer in the latter half of the season, many of the top horses may start their turf seasons later, probably with Ascot as a first target.