September 7, 1999. Copyright, 1999, Graphic News. All rights reserved

THE CLASH OF THE TITANS
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, September 7, Graphic News:  SATURDAYÕS IRISH Champion Stakes, third leg in the Emirates World Series Championship, is being billed as a Òclash of the titansÓ as the two giants of the turf, Daylami and Royal Anthem, prepare to cross swords in what promises to be the most exciting race so far this year in the European racing calendar.
The powerful grey Daylami, who won the Coronation Cup at Epsom (Derby race for older horses) and the Man OÕWar Stakes in New York last season, showed he has what it takes to be a true champion when surging to a five length victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, second leg of the World Series.
Royal Anthem demonstrated he has no fear of travelling to take on the world when winning the 1998 running of the Canadian International at Woodbine. After his awesome show of class in YorkÕs International Stakes last month, Royal AnthemÕs trainer Henry Cecil stated that the four-year-old son of Theatrical would go straight for the Irish Champion Stakes before returning to England for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October.
But these two great racehorses will be joined in the line-up by some mighty talented opposition. Dream Well, the 1998 Irish and French Derby winner, returned to form last month in a Group 3 race at Deauville over the same distance as SaturdayÕs race. In addition, France is also well represented by this yearÕs French and Irish Derby winner Montjeu Ð most punditsÕ idea of the top three-year-old colt in Europe in 1999.
Irish-trained Sunshine Street has always competed at the highest level and connections are intent on accumulating those valuable World Series points. Fourth in last yearÕs Epsom Derby, followed by a close third in the St Leger, Sunshine Street is another seasoned traveller and ended a fine year by finishing fifth in the Breeders Cup Turf. ItÕs going to be a hell of a race.
/ENDS