So You Think claims the Irish Champion Stakes

| Sun 4 September, 2011

By James Burn Racing Post UK

Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) 2000m

SO YOU THINK added his name to the stellar list of horses who have won the Irish Champion Stakes when he saw off Snow Fairy in a thrilling finish to the Red Mills-backed Group 1 at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The betting suggested 1-4 favourite So You Think would ease to his third Group 1 triumph since joining Aidan O'Brien, but 6-1 shot Snow Fairy, a dual Oaks winner for Ed Dunlop last year, gave his supporters a scare when she rallied under Frankie Dettori.

However, So You Think, who claimed the scalp of last year's Derby and Arc hero Workforce in the Coral-Eclipse, last time, gamely held on for Seamie Heffernan to record a half-length triumph.

Plans for the ex-Australian superstar remain unclear and Paddy Power and William Hill left him unchanged at 5-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while connections also mentioned the possibility ofa mouthwatering clash with the mighty Frankel in the Qipco-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October.

O'Brien said: "We think he can take more racing and he's ready for a busy campaign. Nothing's definite, but he coulddrop to a mile for the QEII or go for the Champion Stakes [on the same day.

"There's also the Arc to consider. Nothing's decided."

John Magnier, who owns So You Think with his Coolmore partners Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor, added: "He's the kind of horse we're spoiled for options for. He could run in the mile race at Ascot or mile and a quarter and the Arc.

"We're not going to be rushed into a decision."

Reflecting on So You Think's performance, O'Brien, who has now won the Irish Champion seven times, said: "It's a long time since he ran. We gave him a good break since the last day and we were a bit worried about that.

"We knew he'd be there to be shot at and Snow Fairy would stalk and that they would have her spot on.

"He was very professional when she put it up to him. He's getting more relaxed and mature and you could see that in the parade ring.

"We'll go home and discuss what we do next but he can do anything because he cruises through his races.

"He's an incredible specimen, big and powerful and an unbelievable thoroughbred to look at."

Snow Fairy, who raced against the rail in third, tracking So You Think, has not won since landing the Hong Kong Cup in December, but Dunlop was delighted.

"I'm very proud," he beamed. "She's bounced back and that was arguably the best run of her life."

The consistent Famous Name again ran with credit to fill third, six lengths behind the front two.