2026 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Beat Ombudsman in last year's Brigadier Gerard but his best performance arguably came when third behind Calandagan and Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes later in the season. 

Took another step forward when landing the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his return, and likely found the ground too quick – at the top level at least – when only fourth behind old foe Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. 

Never far from the pace and looked to have made a race-winning move when collared close home by Item in the Juddmonte International last month, possibly paying the price for being in front a long way from home. 

Uncomplicated sort who would welcome any rain, and trainer leaning towards running (had previously said his main aim is next month's Champion Stakes at Ascot). 

Highly-thought-of individual who failed to go on last season following a juvenile campaign that included wins in the Tyros, Beresford and Futurity Trophy Stakes, his best three-year-old effort arguably coming when four and a quarter lengths fourth in this race 12 months ago. 

Ran around when beaten a nose by subsequent winner Isaac Newton in a thrilling finish at Navan on his reappearance, and then built on an encouraging third (in first-time cheekpieces) behind Purview when battling to a nose success over Timeforshowcasing in a German Group One in July. 

That form franked, admittedly at a lower level, but capable of a good run at a price. 

English and Irish Derby winner last term but has generally looked a shadow of his former self since landing the Huxley Stakes (by a neck from Bay City Roller) on his return this spring. 

More encouraging signs with cheekpieces removed when four and a half lengths fourth - having helped force a strong pace - in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes last time. 

Pacemaking duties on the cards once more now down in trip. 

Progressive sort who was below the top table last season but ended his campaign on a high, and has returned an improved model this term, making a real impression when carrying a penalty to victory in a mile and a half listed contest at the Curragh on his return. 

Not as far clear of the same rival (Trustyourinstinct) when coping fine with the return to this trip in a Group Three back there when last seen in June, but was equally dominant in victroy, and second, third, fourth and sixth have all won since at a variety of levels. 

Plenty of physical scope for more improvement and remains with plenty of potential heading into an autumn campaign, though slight suspicion that his very best might come when stepped back up in trip. 

Experienced four-year-old whose biggest moment in the spotlight came when landing the valuable Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky a year ago. 

Changed hands in July and quickly recouped some of the cost, following a staying-on third to Hotazhell in Germany with a battling Group Three success at Deauville. 

Supplemented for this on the back of that win, and trainer thinks the course will suit, but this looks too tough an assignment. 

Series of fine efforts behind the leading Ballydoyle crop as a two-year-old following his debut win at Killarney, and has continued that theme this season, coming from further back than those who finished ahead of him when third to Christmas Day here in April. 

Again given plenty to do (taken back from a wide draw in contrast to the winner) when fourth behind Constitution River in the French Derby, and took another step forward when three-lengths second to the same rival – one of the last off the bridle in a strongly-run race - in the Coral-Eclipse last time. 

Showed he hasn't forgotten how to win when coming five lengths clear against three very inferior rivals at the Curragh last month, and with any rain not a big negative, it would be no surprise to see him produce a career-best effort, especially if ridden more positively.   

Stretched his winning streak to five when a wide-margin winner of what appeared an unremarkable renewal of the Coral-Eclipse, though form since franked by the runner-up A Boy Named Susie (Royal Whip winner) and fourth Saddadd (German Group One winner). 

Race didn't go to plan when only third behind Item and Almaqam in the Juddmonte International at York last month - on edge leaving the parade ring, and too keen out wide in the race itself after a small stumble as stablemates couldn't set a strong enough early gallop - so quite a valiant effort to finish as close as he did. 

Similar profile to last year's winner Delacroix, who was a record-extending 13th in the race for the yard, though is yet to run on genuinely soft ground. The one to beat if quickly back to his best. 

Proved himself at home in the mud when landing the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster last October, and performed with great credit on quicker ground when second to stablemate Constitution River in the French Derby and when third behind the same rival in the Eclipse. 

Despite his wins coming the from the front, his trainer believes he wasn't suited by making his own running (too keen) when beaten 25 lengths in the Juddmonte International, so has something to prove after that below-par performance. 

Place claims at very best. 

The only blot on his copybook came when down the field in the Derby, though that effort easily excused given the state of the ground that day after torrential rain. 

Had previously stayed on well to win the Dante Stakes (Derby winner Christmas Day back in third), and then took the York Stakes (recent September Stakes winner Pride Of Arras in second) and returned to the same C&D with gusto last month when getting up late on in the Juddmonte International to pip the more prominently-ridden Almaqam, where he would have been an even more emphatic winner there with a clearer run through. 

That race sponsored by his owner, so was clearly Plan A (almost didn't run because of a late foot problem), but shouldn't be taken lightly here given his clear progression and will to win. Significant rain would be a question mark, though.  

A risky tactic, given Aidan O'Brien's dominance of this race, but Constitution River looks one to take on at short prices. He compromised his chance at York with his behaviour and a repeat of that would make short-priced favourite backers sweat, for all it's expected that Lambourn as a pacemaker will do a better job (as Mount Kilimanjaro did last year for Delacroix) 

The two that finished ahead of him at York last month – Item and ALMAQAM – both make plenty of appeal. The last-named looks the best value at 5-1; his Tattersalls Gold Cup win in the spring was impressive and this track should prove ideal, too. 

Of the others, A Boy Named Susie has produced two very good runs at the track, most notably when granted a true gallop to aim at when beaten a short-head by Christmas Day in the Eyrefield Stakes here last season.  He has given the impression this term that he has been winding up to the sort of performance needed to break through at the top level.

1 ALMAQAM. 2 ITEM. 3. CONSTITUTION RIVER.