Champion Stakes Tips: Horse-by-horse guide and tips for Ascot Group 1

Qatar Racing Champion Stakes (Group 1)

• When: 16:00 Saturday, October 17
• Where: Ascot
• First Prize: £737,230
• Going: Good
• TV: ITV & Sky Sports Racing
• Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook | Free bets

ALMAQAM (Ed Walker)

Slow-maturing five-year-old who went agonisingly close (traded 1.01 on Betfair) to a fine second Group 1 of the season when reeled in late on by Item in the Juddmonte International at York in August.

Relatively quick turnaround when not in the same form in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month, only fourth after a slow start from a wide draw and – for all he rallied late on - unlikely to have finished in the frame had A Boy Named Susie not run into traffic problems.

Longer break between races here will suit, as will the easier ground (further rain would be welcome), and no surprise if he improves on last year's third to Calandagan where he was much closer to the strong pace than the two who finished ahead of him.

BAY CITY ROLLER (George Scott)

Strong-staying colt who ran well when second to Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, and then relished the test on desperate ground in the Coronation Cup (where Calandagan failed to run his race).

Took his form up another notch when – having chased home superstar Daryz in the Prix Foy – he filled the same position behind that rival in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe despite taking a wider route in the early stages from his outside stall.

This would be a very fast turnaround, but does have a history of running well when quickly turned out, so not one to take lightly.

CALANDAGAN (Francis-Henri Graffard)

Reigning champion who – like runner-up Ombudsman – came from well off the pace when storming home to land this race a year ago, and duly made history when becoming the first overseas winner of the Japan Cup in 20 years on his next start.

Hasn't been at his best this term, adding just a narrow success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud to his ledger from three starts, though looked a bit more like his old self when coming from further back than winner Kalpana when second in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

This will be his first start over ten furlongs since landing this race (as part of a five-race winning streak), and worry would be that it might not be run to suit. Significant rain would count against him.

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (John & Thady Gosden)

Pacemaker for Ombudsman who did that job well in this a year ago, and when setting the race up well in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in the summer. Same role here.

OMBUDSMAN (John & Thady Gosden)

Winning machine who was dropped in last when his jockey William Buick was trying to get him settled in this race last year, and, as a result, conceded first run to eventual winner Calandagan.

Campaigned more sparingly this term but produced a performance of great distinction when pulling four lengths clear of Minnie Hauk (subsequent back-to-back Arc winner Daryz in third) when landing a second Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Below par when only fourth in the Juddmonte International at York last time, undone by trouble in running and some pre-race rain showers, but likely to put that run behind him back at his favoured venue.

CONSTITUTION RIVER (Aidan O'Brien)

Looked a potential superstar when landing the Prix du Jockey Club and (likely below average) renewal of the Coral-Eclipse, but much too keen after stumbling over a path when only third in the Juddmonte International at York in August.

A bit underwhelming, with no obvious excuses, when filling the same position behind Hotazhell in the Irish Champion last time, and will need to take another forward step if he's to get back to winning ways here.

Verdict

Although he may be freshened up by a break having looked a little lacklustre (still) in the King George, last year's winner Calandagan could be vulnerable once more as he builds towards his Japan Cup defence (huge bonuses on offer for winning there).

Last year's runner-up Ombudsman is preferred of those at the top of the betting, likely to be a different horse than the one beaten at York now back at Ascot with his yard in better form, while there's also a strong case to be made for last year's third Almaqam. He is an improved model this term and could be better positioned this time with no guarantee the race will be run quite as strongly as last season.

However, HOTAZHELL looks the value at this stage. He caused a bit of a ruckus ahead of Constitution River and Almaqam when winning at Leopardstown last month, but had to delay and switch wide to launch his initial challenge there, so may be value for a little more than the winning distance of a nose.

Having been something of a revelation since the cheekpieces went on, and with Wimbledon Hawkeye having since franked the form in France, he's fancied to continue his late-season progression.

Updated at 10:00 BST on 15/10/26

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