15:45 Ascot

Saturday 21 October 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0515:4516:25

Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Middle Distance)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 2m 8.42s

(8)

Bay Bridge²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 121| CD

10/3

Plenty to like about his performance tackling 1½m for the first time as he easily won the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton last month. Too keen as has often been the case this year when sixth in the Arc since but goes well in the mud so should put up a bold defence his crown.

Form: 1-32516

(6)

Dubai Honour^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 120| D

17/2

Big improver over 1¼m at 3, winning pair of Group 2s in France and runner-up in this corresponding event. Failed to reach those levels in 2022 but firmly back on track this season, winning a couple of Group 1s in Australia in the spring. No impact when last seen in Eclipse so best watched.

Form: 26-1134

(4)

My Prospero^b1,t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 119| BF| D

12/1

Very progressive 3-y-o, signing off with a close third in this corresponding event 12 months ago. Gradually back to form this term, going close in messy Group 2 at York before capitalising on the drop in grade in listed event at Goodwood most recently. First-time blinkers/tongue tie applied.

Form: 13-4421

(3)

Point Lonsdale⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115| C| D

18/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed better than ever this spring with successes in 10f Alleged Stakes at the Curragh and Huxley Stakes at Chester. Back to best when sixth to Auguste Rodin in Irish Champion Stakes 6 weeks ago but will surely come up short in this field.

Form: 0-11386

(9)

Via Sistina⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: G Boughey| OR: 116| BF| D

11/2

Made a winning return in Dahlia Stakes and backed that up when landing Pretty Polly at the Curragh in July. Falmouth probably came too soon less than a fortnight later but was back on song when nose second to Mqse De Sevigne in Prix Jean Romanet. Handles soft ground so she's one to consider.

Form: 21-1132

(2)

Horizon Dore²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: M Barzalona| T: P Cottier| OR: 120| D

4/1

French Raider who has progressed well this year, gaining his fourth success in a row in Prix Dollar at Longchamp (9.7f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Ground somewhat of a concern but he's firmly on the up so must be respected on his first attempt at the top table.

Form: 521111

(1)

King Of Steel⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: R Varian| OR: 121| C

3/1

Massive improvement on return for a new yard when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in the Derby, going clear but collared late. Easy winner of Group 2 at the Royal meeting here next time and back to best on his first go at this trip when fourth in Irish Champion 6 weeks ago. Major player.

Form: 17-2134

(5)

Royal Rhyme^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| D

16/1

Most progressive away from firmish ground this year, winning 10f handicaps at Newmarket in May and Goodwood in August. Took the step up in grade in his stride when taking listed race at Ayr (10f) 4 weeks ago and he's certainly worth chancing in this given forecast testing conditions.

Form: 431011

Non-Runners

(7)

Mostahdaf⁵⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: J & T Gosden J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

King Of Steel (3/1), Mostahdaf (3/1), Bay Bridge (10/3), Horizon Dore (4/1), Via Sistina (11/2), Dubai Honour (17/2), My Prospero (12/1), Royal Rhyme (16/1), Point Lonsdale (18/1)

Conditions will no doubt play their part in the signature race of the day and with no Auguste Rodin to worry about, KING OF STEEL is selected to gain a first Group 1 level success of his career and give Frankie Dettori the perfect send off on his 'final' ride in Europe. Bay Bridge's finest hour came when landing this contest 12 months ago and he looks sure to put up a bold defence of his crown, with Via Sistina and Mostahdaf (who is by no means a guaranteed runner) another couple to consider.