FROM an early stage of the season, expectation began to build for the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh in September. The organisers and racing authorities had showen great initiative in seizing a much sought after slot in the international racing calendar for such an event, but having the slot was no guarantee that it would work. Some cynical voices had expressed fears that the public would not turn out for it and that it would not attract interest from international runners, turning it into a Ballydoyle benefit. Thankfully for Irish racing, those fears very much proved unfounded.