Champions Day with Baaeed at the end

Ascot, Saturday, 15 October: Today`s Champions Day at Ascot will feature top-class galloping. The event will be introduced by the Long Distance Cup (1st race/14.25pm/500,000 pounds/3210m), in which Trueshan (Hollie Doyle) could repeat his success from last year. For this to succeed, he will have to get rid of Eldar Eldarov (David Egan), who was without competition in the English St Leger (Group 1). Waterville (Ryan Moore), currently successful at the Curragh, could steal the show from the former.

The Champions Sprint Stakes (2nd race/15.00/500,000 pounds/2410 m) promises to be a fast-paced affair. Creative Force (William Buick) sold well when fourth in the July Cup (Group 1), now he could make up for lost time. Art Power (David Allan), who put on a one-horse show in the Ranaissance Stakes (Group 3), and Rohaan (Adam Kirby), who was a big winner in the Bengough Stakes (Group 3) here a fortnight ago, are in hot pursuit. Kinross (Frankie Dettori) is not to be overlooked as a series winner.

Ladies only` is the name of the game in the Champions Fillies & Mares (3rd race/15.40 hrs/500,000 pounds/2410 m), where Emily Upjohn (Frankie Dettori), who disappointed beyond measure in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1), should be able to build on her good honours in the English Oaks. Danger comes primarily from Eternal Pearl (William Buick) and Sea La Rosa (Tom Marquand), who have been unbeaten four and three times in a row respectively and appear strong enough to finish well in front.

It`s over the mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3rd race/15.40pm/1.156m pounds/1609m). Inspiral (Frankie Dettori) is well known to the local public having won the Coronation Stakes (Group 1). She recently set her career highlight in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard (Group 1) in Deauville with a narrow victory against strong stallions. This time, the Gosden mare will have to face Modern Games (William Buick), who has a fresh victory in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (Group 1) to his credit. The Revenant (Ryan Moore) won that fixture two years ago. He underlined his good form in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2) by finishing second.

The best comes at the end. In the Champion Stakes (5th race/17.00/1.3m pounds/2000m), the turf world looks to Baaeed (Jim Crowley), unbeaten in ten starts. It is the last appearance for the Sea-The-Stars son, then he switches to the stallion box. There is, however, a stumbling block in the form of Adayar (William Buick), the English Derby winner and fourth in last year`s Champion Stakes. His victorious comeback in Doncaster leaves much room for speculation.