NOBODY could be expected to match the book of rides that Ryan Moore has to look forward to today at Leopardstown, but Tom Marquand could easily have the pick of mounts on the card when it comes to the Group 1 action.

With Ballydoyle’s retained rider required to partner Ylang Ylang in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes (2.50), it paves the way for Marquand to reunite with market leader Porta Fortuna - one of the shortest-priced runners on this afternoon’s bumper nine-race card.

Marquand was aboard when the Donnacha O’Brien-trained filly struck in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot two starts ago but Moore took over at the July Festival last time. The roles are reversed again now.

As well as having a favourite’s chance in the Matron, the 26-year-old visiting rider also has arguably the biggest gun of the weekend to look forward to in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (3.25), long-range favourite Economics.

With a Coolmore quartet featuring in the eight-strong line-up, there’s every chance it could prove to be a tactical battle for the top British rider to negotiate. Having struck on this weekend back in 2022 with I’m A Gambler in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap (one of only four rides he’s had at the Dublin track), the leading jockey is relishing the challenge.

“Economics was exceptional in France and really stamped himself as a true contender for a Group 1,” Marquand said of an impressive win in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.

“You can’t help but get excited by him. Horses like him are so hard to come by and I’m really rubbing my hands and looking forward to it. It’s obviously going to be a tough race as it is every year but it’s the sort of thing that gets your blood pumping.

Deauville victory

“He’s a winner over a mile in a novice [at Newbury] and in France he showed the speed he has in the locker as well. Deauville is a tight, turning track and [runner-up] Jayarebe set him a good target to go and run down but I never had a stride where I doubted that I was going to get there, which is pretty remarkable watching it back.

“That’s a testament to the feel he gave, and I think going around Leopardstown will be an exciting day for us.”

Haggas has been delighted by the big-race favourite’s progress heading into today’s €1.25 million contest. In an unusual set-up for a short-priced market leader in the Irish Champion Stakes, this will be the Night Of Thunder colt’s first start in Group 1 company.

“We were thrilled with the way he ran at Deauville and thrilled with the way he’s come out of it,” said the trainer, who is seeking his first winner at Leopardstown after three seconds from his eight runners at the track.

Not only does Marquand have the two Group 1 favourites to ride at Leopardstown today, he teams up with the second favourite for the Group 2 Tonybet Solonaway Stakes (2.15) in Maljoom, and market leader for the Group 3 Tonybet ‘We’re Here To Play’ Stakes (4.00), Klondike.

The 14-time Group 1-winning jockey has picked up lively each-way chances in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Petingo Handicap (4.35) on Willie Mullins’ Bialystok and in the same sponsors’ Sovereign Path Handicap (5.10) on Raknah, trained by Jessica Harington.

Arisaig (Charlie Johnston) will also give Marquand a chance of a winner in the newly-introduced HKJC World Pool Autumn Fillies & Mares Handicap (5.45).