DAY TWO of Irish Champions Weekend could feature two huge clashes, each on the opposite end of the spectrum. Order Of St George is set for a Gold Cup rematch with Big Orange in the Comer Group Irish St Leger Stakes and leading juveniles Expert Eye and Gustav Klimt could put their reputations on the line in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Big Orange is one of the most popular horses on both sides of the Irish Sea and his trainer Michael Bell is looking forward to the trip. He said: “He’s a wonderful horse who has taken us around the world twice and given his owners and a few jockeys huge moments. It’s great that he’s taking us over to Ireland now for a huge weekend.

“It is lovely to win classics. I’d be more delighted for the horse over anybody else if he could win an Irish St Leger. You just want to be able to puff your chest out and be proud of your horse.”

However, the six-year-old faces a tough task to confirm form with Aidan O’Brien’s runner, according to Paddy Power, the official bookmaker partner of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, who have made Aidan O’Brien’s five-year-old the 4/6 favourite.

There are a number of other interesting entries for the final Irish classic of the season which include Queen Elizabeth’s ultra tough stayer Dartmouth and the Charlie Appleby-trained Endless Time. Appleby, who is alsoplanning to be well represented in the juvenile races, said of Endless Time: “She is a slightly ground dependant filly in that all of her best form is with ease in the ground so we’ll be keeping an eye on the ground for that.

“The trip was definitely too far for her in the Ascot Gold Cup but coming back to a mile and six furlongs at the Curragh will definitely suit her.”

STOUTE’S EYE IN

Paddy Power have also priced up the National Stakes where Sir Michael Stoute’s Expert Eye is shading favouritism ahead of Gustav Klimt.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned colt impressed many when winning the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and was supplemented for next Sunday’s Group 1 race at its latest forfeit stage. Gustav Klimt was last seen winning the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting. Jim Bolger will check ground conditions before making a decision on the participation Theobald and Verbal Dexterity, who have both impressed this season.

“Theobald doesn’t want soft ground, so he may switch to the one-mile Group 3 at Leopardstown the day before, then Verbal Dexterity will take his place at the Curragh.”