Leopardstown, like many other major tracks, have in recent years gone about trying to entice a big name international horse to its showcase flat meeting, Irish Champion Stakes day, the first leg of Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

The fruits of this labour have been seen in recent renewals with Britain and France producing strong challenges against the home team. A Japanese major contender is seen as the main aim of the Dublin track but unsurprisingly that has proven to be a difficult task.