IT may not be hyperbole to suggest that this is one of the biggest weekends in the recent history of Irish flat racing with the Irish Champions Weekend concept being put to the test.

The fields at both Leopardstown and at the Curragh are fully worthy of the billing they have been given and tomorrow’s action at the Curragh will be the focus for Tote customers. With the Pick 6, Placepot and Jackpot being guaranteed for €100,000, €15,000 and €10,000 the rewards for getting it right could be very handsome indeed.

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Handicap (2:05) is by far the hardest race on the card and being well covered is an absolute must in an effort to make it into the second leg. British-trained sprinters have been doing particularly well in valuable Irish handicaps this season and thus the David O’Meara-trained Out Do and the Mike Murphy-trained Discussiontofollow are worth including. Of the home defence, the David Marnane-trained Zalty and the Tracey Collins-trained Majestic Queen make the most appeal.

The Group 2 Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blandford Stakes (2:40) has attracted some high-class fillies and the most interesting one is undoubtedly the returning Chicquita on her first start for Aidan O’Brien. Of the rest, the Dermot Weld-trained Tarfasha should go very well.

The Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (3:10) brings together some rapid sprinters and the British challengers may have the edge over the domestic defence, with the Tim Pitt-trained Sir Maximilian, the Willie Muir-trained Stepper Point and the Olly Stevens-trained Extortionist looking to be the ones to beat.

The Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes (3:40) is an excellent renewal of this always-interesting contest and two stand out from the rest. The Roger Varian-trained Cursory Glance has top-class form in the book, whilst the Aidan O’Brien-trained Found has the potential to be one of the best juvenile fillies around. The safest thing is to include both of them. The Group 1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (4:15) looks to be an excellent opportunity for the Aidan O’Brien-trained Gleneagles to consolidate his position as one of the most promising juveniles around. The son of Galileo created a very good impression in the Futurity Stakes over this course and distance last time and with more improvement to come, he will be very difficult to beat.

The Group 1 Palmerstown House Estate Irish St. Leger (4:50) has attracted a star in the shape of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Leading Light and it is difficult to see him being beaten. He showed how tough he is when winning the Ascot Gold Cup and that experience evidently didn’t leave a mark on him, as he put up an impressive performance in winning the main trial for this race three weeks ago.

It will be a big surprise if he is beaten, but just in case all doesn’t go to plan, the Dermot Weld-trained Pale Mimosa is worth including.