The Data Detective: six tips for the Irish Champions Festival
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Fri 11 Sep 2026
Andy Stephens likes a pair in action at Leopardstown on Saturday plus has a quartet to consider at The Curragh on Sunday.
Enjoy our RaceiQ pace maps
SATURDAY
Nola Soul will be even more potent if learning to settle a bit better (Healy Racing)
2.45 LEOPARDSTOWN: NOLA SOUL
Chesham time: second fastest in 30 years
Maximum stride at Ascot: No 1 of 445 two-year-olds to run at the meeting in the RaceiQ databasse
Maximum stride at Curragh: 8.41 metres
Course winner Nola Soul has a low stride cadence and a massive stride, which suggests moving up to nine furlongs will suit him.
He needs to learn to settle a bit better but there’s been only one faster winner of the Chesham in the past 30 years, Pinatubo, and he stuck at it when fourth in the Futurity at The Curragh last time.
5.35 LEOPARDSTOWN: TRUTH BE TOLD
Final three furlongs at Leopardstown: 36.47sec
Final furlong at Ballinrobe: 11.20sec
Finishing Speed Percentage form: 11112
Truth Be Told has shown improved form since joining Michael Grassick and is well worth a second look at the 8-1 on offer with Betfair.
He was at least a full 1sec quicker than his rivals over the final three furlongs when storming home at Leopardstown in May and was unlucky not to follow up at Ballinrobe last time.
His final furlong of 11.20sec was easily best and there was more in his tank.
SUNDAY
1.45 CURRAGH: HEADMASTER
Final two furlongs at Curragh in May: 22.79sec
Highest Speed: 42.67mph (latest run)
Finishing Speed Percentage form: 131201
The regally bred Headmaster is invariably a strong finisher and flew from last of 22 to first in the final two furlongs when winning over course and distance in May.
He’s since had valid excuses, including when dropped to five furlongs last time, and the 12-1 on offer looks chunky.
He finished only tenth of 12 that day but still had the best Finishing Speed Percentage and is now 4lb lower in the ratings. Coul Angel and Dark Ace are others for the shortlist.
2.50 CURRAGH: GREEN EMPRESS
Highest Speed: 42.03mph
Last two furlongs latest start: 22.55sec
Finishing Speed Percentage form: 211
Green Empress has twice played second fiddle to Sun Goddess this summer but looks overpriced to turn the tables.
She impressed when winning the Debutante Stakes over course and distance last time, when unleashing a very fast final furlong of 11.64sec after having to wait for a run.
Before that she had been second to Sun Godddess over 6f here but was marginally faster in the closing stages.
Andy Stephens crunched Scandinavia's numbers before he ran, and won, at Goodwood last time. Click here to read more.
4.35 CURRAGH: SCANDINAVIA
Highest Speed: 40.66mph
Final 3F at Goodwood: 35.53sec
Form in cheekpieces: 1111111
Scandinavia looks banker material in the Irish St Leger despite high-class stablemate Jan Brueghel standing in his way.
He is the No1 stayer around but is not short of gears, polishing off the last three furlongs of the Goodwood Cup on his latest start in 35.53sec.
He won in a time 3.10sec quicker than the RaceiQ Par and is unbeaten in seven starts since being equipped with cheekpieces.
5.10: THUNDERING ON
Finishing Speed Percentage form: 115111
Epsom final furlong: 11.99sec (fast)
Navan Time Index: 9.2 (meeting average 7.8)
Thundering On was a dazzling winner of the Oaks and can get back to winning ways here.
The Epsom form has taken plenty of knocks, but she was different class, gliding past rivals and producing a fast final furlong of 11.99sec.
She was found to be coughing when subsequently fourth to Estrange in the Pretty Polly Stakes but still had the best Finishing Speed Percentage.
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