Horse racing tips: best bets for Sunday's Irish Champions Festival action

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap (1.45) was nominated as the next race for AMIATA after his win at Navan in late-August, so he clearly must have been bouncing at home for connections to run him back there aain since. 

That run last Saturday didn't quite go to plan, with the race dominated by two horses who were able to set steady fractions over the minimum trip, and Colin Keane was certainly not hard on the gelding once his winning chance had gone. 

Though taking on a higher class of opponent than before, this strong-travelling hold-up horse should be suited by the demands of this race, and he seemed to relish the track when winning over five furlongs here in June. 

A big run looks on the cards for a yard that won this with a three-year-old in 2024. 

Joseph O'Brien hasn't won the Moyglare Stud Stakes (2.50) since Intricately sprang a 25-1 shock in 2016, but may hold a stronger hand in this year's renewal this his dad Aidan, with GREEN EMPRESS fancied to add to her C&D success in the Debutante. 

She was undoubtedly suited by the way the race was run, with stablemate Dancing Destiny softening up Alpha from some way out, but I was still impressed with the turn of foot she showed last time. 

Her previous second behind favourite Sun Goddess over six furlongs obviously reads very strongly, too, and on that occasion the Ballydoyle runner was able to skip clear before Green Empress was able to muster her effort. 

Clearly, Sun Goddess will be tough to pass, but I think general 2-1 chance Green Empress has been brought along very steadily and will be strongest at the finish over this trip. 

I haven't seen anything this year from Comanche Brave that makes me think he won't cope with the demands of the BAR 1 Betting Flying Five Stakes (3.25) now dropped to the minimum distance for the first time, but he's short enough in the market and I'm inclined to give MISSION CENTRAL another chance now he's faced with a more suitable task. 

Winner of his first three starts this term, including when just getting up under a fine ride in the King Charles II Stakes at Royal Ascot, he failed to fire on very quick ground in the July Cup (won by Comanche Brave). 

Then, he travelled well for a long way but couldn't make up significant ground on Bacio and co – on the unfavourable far rail – in the Nunthorpe, where he was not persevered with once beaten. 

This race looks a much better fit, and I'm encouraged by his October win last term which suggests he's not just an early season type; he can extend his unbeaten track record to three at a best-priced 12-1. 

Clearly, Scandinavia is the one to beat in Sunday's Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (4.35), his profile much more similar to that of Kyprios than some of the 'lesser' stablemates who have been beaten in this such as Illinois (12 months ago).  

But it's also worth noting that both Kyprios and Order Of St George – albeit in different circumstances – met with odds-on defeats in this race, and I'm not sure it will provide enough of a test of stamina to show Scandinavia at his very best. 

The race has often gone to those stayers with a turn of foot and – whilst fellow Ballydoyle inmate Jan Brueghel is respected - that perfectly describes the Joseph O'Brien-trained course specialist TRUSTYOURINSTINCT. He was put firmly in his place by the exciting Irish Champion Stakes entry Purview in May, but got much closer to that rival back at the track in June and then produced his best effort for over a year when quickening smartly in a moderately-run race last time. 

Unexposed over this trip, Trustyourinstinct may be more finely tuned than the favourite whose main target this autumn could be the Prix du Cadran (which might play more to his strong-staying strengths); he's worth backing at 8s.