WHAT a breath of fresh air it is to see so many British trainers trying their luck at the Irish Champions Festival this weekend. After all, it makes perfect sense, since Karl Burke raided Leopardstown and the Curragh for a treble at this meeting last year. Eve Johnson Houghton plundered a Group 1 with Zavateri too.

It was noticeable at the five-day confirmation stage this week that Charlie Appleby had added two fascinating candidates to today’s card at Leopardstown. In a season where Notable Speech has been the Godolphin trainer’s sole domestic Group 1 winner, could his fortunes be about to change?