Golden Horn set for Gleneagles showdown

Golden Horn could finally get to take on Gleneagles at Leopardstown after hopes of a clash at York between the two stars were dashed.

The highly-rated pair were set to go head to head in an eagerly anticipated meeting in the Juddmonte International Stakes earlier this month, but Gleneagles was withdrawn on the day of the race due to soft ground following heavy rain.

Arabian Queen caused a huge upset by ending Golden Horn’s unbeaten record at York and he will bid to get back to winning ways in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes on September 12.

Gleneagles is also set to contest the Leopardstown race, but the ground will have to be suitable otherwise the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old will not be involved.

Owner Anthony Oppenheimer says Golden Horn’s participation is also dependent on conditions as he would be open to the idea of a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe without a warm-up race at Leopardstown.

“The plan now is to go to Ireland, where we hope they will have an Indian summer,” he is quoted as saying by Setanta. “Leopardstown is a very good track and drains very well so we hope the ground will be fine for him.

“If we cannot travel to Ireland because of the ground, that (going straight to the Arc) is a possibility.”