15:40 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 2m 12.29s

(11)

Addeybb^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 122| CD

9/1

High-class sort who enjoyed a fantastic spell in Australia earlier this year, winning 2 Group 1s. Capitalised on drop in grade in listed event at Ayr last time and has a good record over C&D.

Form: 12-1121

(8)

Desert Encounter^h⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 111| C| D

150/1

Rattled off a 4-timer to end last season, culminating in Group 1 Canadian International 12 months ago. Hard to knock consistency at Group/listed level in recent months but this is a bit beyond him.

Form: 732322

(3)

Extra Elusive²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 115| BF| D

33/1

Has struck up an excellent partnership with Hollie Doyle, defying a penalty for his Rose of Lancaster success in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor in August. Not discredited last time, but needs more.

Form: 652113

(2)

Japan³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| C| D

22/1

Very smart 3-y-o, signing off that campaign by hitting the frame in the Arc. This season has been a let-down, though, and arrives with something to prove.

Form: 14-4335

(7)

Lord North⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 123| CD

11/2

Has progressed into a high-class performer, showing an impressive turn of foot to win Prince of Wales's earlier this year and not discredited in the Juddmonte International subsequently. Solid claims.

Form: 121-113

(1)

Skalleti¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P C Boudot| T: J Reynier| OR: 116| D

13/2

Very smart type who arrives on the back of a convincing win in the Prix Dollar at Longchamp, so not written off for all this demands a career-best effort.

Form: 11-3311

(6)

Magical³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 121| CD

15/8

High-class mare who won 3 times at Group 1 level last year and has added another three to her CV this season, looking as good as ever. Splendidly consistent/genuine and will take all the beating.

Form: 51-1121

(9)

Mishriff⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| D

4/1

Has taken off this season and landed a hat-trick in most impressive fashion in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville a couple of months ago. Open to further progress and primed for a big run.

Form: 31-2111

(4)

Pyledriver³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 119| C

16/1

Impressive winner of the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot and the Great Voltigeur, and ran with credit to finish third in the St Leger. Not ruled out back down in trip.

Form: 7-21013

(5)

Serpentine^p³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120| D

18/1

Made all under a cracking ride in the Derby but hung right and not so good in the Grand Prix de Paris over at Longchamp last month. Still lightly raced and may get back on the up.

Form: 0-5114

Non-Runners

(10)

San Donato²⁸

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Magical (15/8), Mishriff (4/1), Lord North (11/2), Skalleti (13/2), Addeybb (9/1), Pyledriver (16/1), Serpentine (18/1), Japan (22/1), Extra Elusive (33/1), San Donato (100/1), Desert Encounter (150/1)

MAGICAL has the best form and hardly ever puts a foot wrong, so she's difficult to oppose as she bids to go back-to-back in this event. Lord North quickened up smartly to land the Prince of Wales's Stakes in June, so he's feared along with Addeybb, who has a terrific record when there's cut in the ground.