Six Irish-trained horses ended 2005 ranked in the top 60 of the world's best on the flat, but it is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Hurricane Run who is ranked top.
The international handicappers issued a list of the top three-year-olds and older horses yesterday, and best of the Irish is the now-retired King George hero Azamour, who is rated joint-second best with Westerner on a mark of 126.
That puts the ex-John Oxx-trained star 1lb ahead of America's top representative, the Breeders' Cup Classic winner Saint Liam, and 2lb ahead of Australasia's top runner Makybe Diva, who won a record third Melbourne Cup in a row in November.
Hurricane Run, however, is rated a full 4lb clear of his rivals after a devastating Arc success under Kieren Fallon.
Aidan O'Brien's Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes winner Oratorio is rated joint 10th on 123, while his stable companion Ace, on 122, is joint 16th.
Another Ballydoyle-trained pair, the St Leger hero Scorpion and the retired Arlington Million winner Powerscourt, are joint 13th on 120, while Jim Bolger's Nassau Stakes winner Alexander Goldrun is joint-38th on 119.
Tony McCoy will team up with the Dusty Sheehy-trained Justified for the first time at Newbury today, and the Baileys Arkle at Leopardstown at the end of the month could be the next step for the horse.
"Tony will ride and we're thinking long-term," said Sheehy yesterday. "We want to see what Tony thinks of him and where we are towards Cheltenham. It looks a decent race at Newbury, but if he is as good as we think he is there is nothing to worry about."
Justified fell at the first fence at Leopardstown over Christmas, but Sheehy explained: "There was a screen at the back of a hurdle and he just took his eye off the fence. He just got a little distracted. The plan is the Baileys Arkle, all being well."
Cashmans bookmakers issued prices on the Leopardstown Arkle yesterday and made the Durkan winner Missed That their 2 to 1 favourite, with last year's runner-up Foreman a 7 to 2 second favourite.
