As John Gosden has alluded to on more than one occasion, the Leopardstown straight has staged a number of high-profile dramas in Irish Champions Stakes over the years, and it was once again the case in the Royal Bahrain-sponsored feature of the 2026 Irish Champions Festival.

Many hoped that the 10-furlong contest would provide a clearer picture to the division following a dramatic Juddmonte International at York, where Item edged out Almaqam from Constitution River, who had over-raced, with a below-par Ombudsman back in fourth.