RACING: Nayef emerged yesterday as a surprise contender for tomorrow week's Irish Champion Stakes.

The sole Irish leg in racing's world series is sponsored by An Bord Bia and is worth €1.1 million this year.

The Irish Oaks heroine Margarula is a possible to be supplemented for the 10-furlong Group One at Tuesday's supplementary stage while Aidan O'Brien still has 15 left in it.

However, trainer Marcus Tregoning appears to have left the door open for Nayef to take his chance in the likely absence of Godolphin's Sakhee (also owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum). But Nayef is the horse in form having won last week's Juddmonte International at York. Tregoning said: "He was a little tired after his York win but he is flying again now and Leopardstown is very much on the agenda."

High Chaparral, Hawk Wing and Rock Of Gibraltar are possible Ballydoyle contenders and O'Brien said: "Our horses seem to be coming back to form at the right time."