OF THE 12 horses left in yesterday's stage for Saturday's Group One £150,000 Irish Champion Stakes, six are trained in England, five in Ireland and one in France.

A field of seven is likely, including the winner of the Epsom Derby and the Irish Oaks, not to mention Timarida, the recent winner of the Grade One Beverly D Stakes at Arlington.

Shaamit, who was running for only the third time when winning the Epsom Derby in fast time, was subsequently a close-up third behind his seniors Pentire and Classic Cliche in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. Both he and the Irish Oaks winner, Dance Design, should be suited to this 10 furlongs.

Dermot Weld has declared Zagreb and Definite Article as well as Dance Design but, with the likelihood of fast ground, the filly will be his only starter. Definite Article is his first substitute, and Zagreb, who loves an ease in the ground, will go straight for the Arc de Triomphe.

There is Japanese interest in the Irish Derby winner but he has not been sold. "He is a clean-winded horse and is in. great form," said the trainer yesterday.

The third Irish-trained runner will be Idris, who was supplemented yesterday.

Michael Hills, who captured the prize 12 months ago on Pentire, will be reunited with Shaamit, leading a probable three-pronged British assault on the race.

Glory Of Dancer, fourth behind Shaamit at Epsom, will be ridden by Olivier Peslier, while Gary Carter has been booked for the Godolphin runner, Tamayaz.

Henry Cecil has left Bosra Sham and Storm Trooper in but is not expected to run either.

Singspiel will run at Goodwood on Saturday in the Group Three Select Stakes, where Cash Asmussen will take the ride on the Michael Stoute-trained colt.