Johnny Murtagh says Rip Van Winkle will take some stopping in Champion

Johnny Murtagh has sent out a warning to Rip Van Winkle's Irish Champion Stakes rivals that he feels his mount could be an even better horse now than he was when scoring at York last month.

The Galileo colt opened his account for the campaign by showing a blistering turn of foot to land the Juddmonte International on the Knavesmire, getting up late in the day to deny Twice Over by half a length.

The pair lock horns again in today's Tattersalls Millions-sponsored Group 1 and while Murtagh respects Henry Cecil's raider, he is confident Rip Van Winkle can confirm the form at Leopardstown.

"It's another good race and Twice Over is a very good horse," said Murtagh. "He has to travel over this time though, we're on our home turf and hopefully there is a bit of improvement in 'Rip'. Everyone knows how much we thought of him last year as a three-year-year-old and he ran some good races and won two Group 1s. He's come back to win another big race in the International at York, which is a huge race on the Knavesmire.

"It's another big assignment this weekend and another Group One. He probably has to improve from York, but we think he has and he should be very tough to beat.

"He won round Leopardstown as a two-year-old and he loved it, so you have to be confident."

Seamie Heffernan gets the leg up on Cape Blanco in a race for the first time since steering him to victory on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse in June, 2009.

"It's great to have a ride in the race and hopefully he can run up to his mark or above it even," said Heffernan. "My horse, Rip Van Winkle and Beethoven are fresh and ready for another race, so we'll let them take their chance."

Twice Over is one of two runners for leading owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, with the Dermot Weld-trained Famous Name also in the line-up.

The owner's racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, hopes the change of track might see Twice Over turn the tables on Rip Van Winkle.

"He has come out of York fine. He's been in very good shape and we are very pleased with him," said Grimthorpe. "What we hope will play into his hands is that the York race was about 110 yards longer. I think if the race had been even 10 yards shorter, we would have had a different result.

"The other thing here is that it's a different racecourse. The straight is not nearly so long as at York which will be a factor - it won't be the only factor, but it will be a factor."

Course specialist Famous Name is unbeaten in three starts at the Dublin track in 2010, but Grimthorpe admits the likely quick surface is not ideal as he takes a step up in class.

"Famous Name is very happy in himself," Grimthorpe continued."We will have a look at the course and if Dermot thinks it is too firm then he won't run."

Meanwhile, O'Brien's Australian speedball, Starspangledbanner, looks to have everything in his favour as he bids to secure his third Group 1 triumph on British soil in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

O'Brien only gave the four-year-old the go-ahead after he pleased in a gallop on Wednesday and he will be tough to beat. A Group 1 winner over six furlongs and a mile in his native country, Starspangledbanner did not seem to really take to the step back to the minimum trip in the Nunthorpe last time.

Sent off favourite for that heat, the quick five furlongs on the Knavesmire combined with a highly-unfavourable draw proved his undoing. Although he kept on for second behind 100-1 scorer Sole Power, his class was not quite enough to peg back the winner who had enjoyed an ideal run.

There could be little argument with Starspangledbanner's previous triumphs in the Golden Jubilee and July Cup, though, and switching back to six here should see him back on top.

Jane Chapple-Hyam's plan can come to fruition as Rangefinder looks to have every chance in the Betfred Kingspin Old Borough Cup. The six-year-old was a seven-length scorer at Chester last time and while he has been raised 8lb for that win, this still looks a workable mark.

Richard Hannon won the Listed betfred.com Stakes with Emerald Commander last term and can repeat the trick with Measuring Time while Godolphin's Secrecy is the choice in the Betfred "Goals Galore" Superior Mile.

Saeed bin Suroor should also be on target with Signs In The Sand in Kempton's Sirenia Stakes, while it could pay to keep the faith with Man Of Iron in the totesport.com September Stakes.