Leopardstown Tips on September 12th - Irish Champions Weekend Day 1 Tips
Day 1 of Irish Champions Weekend 2026 at Leopardstown promises thrilling action, featuring marquee Group races like the Irish Champion Stakes. Expert tips highlight standout contenders: Maire Rua (Ingabelle Stakes), Andab (Sovereign Path), Quest For Stars (Golden Fleece), Thread Of Gold (Kilternan Stakes), Blue Bolt (Matron Stakes), Quddwah (Solonaway Stakes), and others. Factors like track preference and draw history receive special emphasis. Recommended bets are based on form, historic trends, and trainer records. The main conclusion: punters should back these value selections for the festival’s best opportunities and follow the schedule closely.
- Best bets on day one of Irish Champions Weekend
- This famous meeting begins at Leopardstown on Saturday 12th September
- Quest For Stars, Blue Bolt and Quddwah feature in our selections
- Irish Champions Weekend Day 1 Schedule
- 1:35pm Leopardstown - Ingabelle Stakes Tips
- 2:10pm Leopardstown - Sovereign Path Handicap Tips
- 2:45pm Leopardstown - Golden Fleece Stakes Tips
- 3:15pm Leopardstown - Kilternan Stakes Tips
- 3:55pm Leopardstown - Matron Stakes Tips
- 4:25pm Leopardstown - Solonaway Stakes Tips
- 5:00pm Leopardstown - Irish Champion Stakes Tips
- 5:35pm Leopardstown - Petingo Handicap Tips
- 6:10pm Leopardstown - Autumn Fillies Handicap Tips
ICW Day 1 Tips
Free selections through the full card on day one of Irish Champions Weekend 2026.
Irish Champions Weekend begins at Leopardstown on Saturday, where the Irish Champion Stakes headlines an excellent card. Here are our best betting tips for every race at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Irish Champions Weekend Day 1 Schedule
| Time | Track | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1:35pm | Leopardstown | Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes (Listed Race) 7f |
| 2:10pm | Leopardstown | Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap (Premier Handicap) 7f |
| 2:45pm | Leopardstown | HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes (Group 1) 1m1f |
| 3:15pm | Leopardstown | World Pool Bet With The Tote Kilternan Stakes (Group 3) 1m4f |
| 3:55pm | Leopardstown | Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes (Group 1) 1m |
| 4:25pm | Leopardstown | Tonybet Solonaway Stakes (Group 2) 1m |
| 5:00pm | Leopardstown | Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f |
| 5:35pm | Leopardstown | Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m5f |
| 6:10pm | Leopardstown | World Pool Bet With Tote Autumn Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) 1m½f |
Irish Champions Weekend Day 1 Tips
1:35pm Leopardstown - Ingabelle Stakes Tips
I was really keen on MAIRE RUA (3/1) going into the Firville Stakes. Ger Lyons' filly was hugely impressive when scoring here at Leopardstown on debut, and Colin Keane's mount was backed into 5/4 favouritism before the off.
I didn't think Maire Rua ever looked comfortable on that straight track. Keane struggled to find a good pitch throughout, and Lyon's filly wavered a little when push came to shove. The favourite had to be angled towards the inside to try and challenge late on, but could only finish two and a half lengths behind Alwaysanangel in third.
This contest is by no means stronger than the Firville Stakes, and returning to Leopardstown is a huge plus for Maire Rua. Lyons has a good record in this race too, and I'd be disappointed if she didn't win.
2:10pm Leopardstown - Sovereign Path Handicap Tips
Eight of the last 10 winners of this handicap were drawn in a double-figure stall. Horses towards the top of the weights have a very good record, as do three-year-olds, who've won five of the last eight renewals.
Everything points towards a strong showing from ANDAB (12/1), who makes his handicap debut. Joseph O'Brien's gelding ran in several Classic trials at the start of the season and has had his last three starts on British soil. Andab was well beaten behind Talk Of New York at Sandown and barely featured in either the Jersey Stakes or the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.
Despite his recent struggles, I'm certain that Andab is better than his opening handicap mark of 103. Both the trip and track should suit, while Joey Sheridan will be pleased with his wide draw in stall 20.
2:45pm Leopardstown - Golden Fleece Stakes Tips
We now reach the first Group One race of the weekend. This used to be called the Champion Juvenile Stakes, but it's been upgraded to Group One status and extended to nine furlongs for this year's renewal.
Aidan and Joseph O'Brien both play strong hands, while Chesham Stakes winner Nola Soul cannot be discounted. There are a couple of British runners in here too, and I fancy QUEST FOR STARS (11/2) at the current prices.
Charlie Appleby's raider is unbeaten in three career starts, having scored on his first two outings over seven furlongs. Quest For Stars then made all to win the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury, where he was passed by Scommessa Sicura at the furlong pole before battling back to snatch a narrow victory.
Quest For Stars looked like he needed every inch of the eight-furlong trip that day. Given his breeding, this step up in distance is sure to bring about further improvement, and Appleby's runners on Irish soil always have to be respected.
3:15pm Leopardstown - Kilternan Stakes Tips
How good is Purview? Well, Dermot Weld's four-year-old ran up to a massive RPR of 121 when winning the Orby Stakes in May. Colin Keane's mount wasn't as effective over ten furlongs next time out, but still managed to win. Weld has been reluctant to run Purview at Group One or even Group Two level, but he certainly warrants a short price in this sort of contest.
That being said, there are some decent value options against the market leader, including Charlie Appleby's Arabian Crown, and Melbourne Cup entries James J Braddock and Sons And Lovers. In the end, I've landed on THREAD OF GOLD (10/1), who'll be looking to complete a hat-trick following two hugely valuable handicap wins.
Willie Mullins' three-year-old swooped home from the rear to win the nine-furlong Nasrullah Handicap here at Leopardstown in July. Thread Of Gold then justified strong market support at the Galway Festival, where he saw out 12 furlongs well under Billy Lee before powering clear of the field.
Thread Of Gold now has to translate that form into Pattern company, where he faces plenty of proven Group-race performers. Yet, this son of Ghaiyyath is clearly a three-year-old on the up, and Mullins' gelding looks good enough to make his presence felt.
3:55pm Leopardstown - Matron Stakes Tips
The top two in the betting for Saturday's second Group One look to have this between them, and I see no reason why BLUE BOLT (11/8) won't confirm her superiority over Precise.
Andrew Balding's filly shot to prominence with a runaway victory in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Blue Bolt then upset Precise when claiming the Falmouth Stakes and got the better of her younger rival again when following up in the Prix Rothschild.
Having beaten Precise when giving her nine pounds at Newmarket and six pounds at Deauville, Blue Bolt will only concede five pounds to her on Saturday. I much prefer Blue Bolt's draw in stall nine to Precise's position on the rail in stall one. Balding's filly is most definitely the one to beat.
4:25pm Leopardstown - Solonaway Stakes Tips
QUDDWAH (9/2) is a perfect 5/5 when returning from a break of at least 70 days, and Simon Crisford's six-year-old could teach his younger rivals a lesson in this Group Two contest.
James Doyle's mount was in sparkling form when last seen during the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Quddwah won the Zabeel Mile and the Singspiel Stakes before finishing just two lengths adrift of the excellent Ombudsman in the Dubai Turf on his most recent appearance.
Crisford's stable star has won a couple of times in France too, so travelling to Ireland won't be a problem. Any notion that he needs soft ground to be at his best was put to bed in Dubai. I think he's the best and most reliable horse in this race.
5:00pm Leopardstown - Irish Champion Stakes Tips
Read our full guide to the 2026 Irish Champion Stakes to find out who we're backing in Saturday's Group One feature.
Visit our Irish Champion Stakes Live Stream page to watch any of Saturday's races at Leopardstown via a mobile or tablet.
5:35pm Leopardstown - Petingo Handicap Tips
Like the Sovereign Path staged earlier on the card, a wide draw has been hugely beneficial in the Petingo, with nine of the last 10 winners coming from stall 12 or wider. MADBADANDDANGEROUS (25/1) seems overpriced, given his wide draw and strong handicap form this season.
Noel Meade's three-year-old relished the step up to 13 furlongs when scoring in a valuable handicap at Down Royal in June before following up at the Galway Festival under Colin Keane five weeks later. Madbadanddangerous then took his chance in the Vinnie Roe Stakes here at Leopardstown, but struggled to make any significant inroads from the rear after the leaders had set a fairly sedate pace.
The return to handicap company should help Gavin Ryan's mount, who enters this contest carrying a lovely racing weight of 8-11. At a lengthy price, Madbadanddangerous could live up to his name.
6:10pm Leopardstown - Autumn Fillies Handicap Tips
Given the performance she produced to win this race cosily 12 months ago, PINK OXALIS (18/1) has to be worth a punt off just a one-pound-higher mark.
Stephen Thorne's filly came through plenty of trouble in running to win nicely last year, cruising home in the closing stages to score by almost two lengths. Pink Oxalis came up short in Listed company on her final two starts of 2025 and has largely struggled in eight appearances so far this year.
Jack Kearney's mount did run well enough to place on two occasions and wasn't beaten all that far over this course and distance last time out. Pink Oxalis has again been drawn wide in stall 18, and a bold defence of her crown wouldn't be unexpected.
Verdict
Leopardstown Tips on September 12th:
Blue Bolt
3:55pm Leopardstown
@11/8 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Maire Rua
1:35pm Leopardstown
@3/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their Bet £10 Get £10 as a free ACCA welcome offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.
Quddwah
4:25pm Leopardstown
@9/2 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Quest For Stars
2:45pm Leopardstown
@11/2 - 5 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
11 September 2026
- Daily Racing Lucky 15 -
- Horse Racing
- St Leger Festival Day 2 Tips -
- Horse Racing
- NAP Of The Day -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 Premier Fillies' Handicap -
- Horse Racing
12 September 2026
- Irish Champions Weekend 2026 Day 1 Tips -
- Horse Racing
- ITV Racing at Doncaster and Chester -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 St Leger -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 Irish Champion Stakes -
- Horse Racing
13 September 2026
- 2026 Irish St Leger -
- Horse Racing
Load More
