The £1.3m Champion Stakes takes place on Saturday, with a small but select field of six set to head to post.
Four return from last year, including three that fought out a brilliant finish in a bid to add their name to a stellar roll of honour that includes Cirrus des Aigles, Frankel and Cracksman.
Five of the six here have struck at Group 1 level and account for 18 top-level victories between them, with a range of top jockeys, trainers and owners all represented.
Calandagan got his head in front 12 months ago and returns to defend his crown at a track that has been so good to him throughout his career. Each of his five runs at Ascot have come at Group 2 level or higher, winning three and finishing runner-up on two occasions. Now five, there is a chance that his powers could be waning, but all conditions look to be in his favour for him to go and produce is absolute best, providing he is still capable of it.
So, alongside last year's winner, we also have the runner-up in Ombudsman. He too loves this place, with that defeat to Calandagan his only loss at the track. Back in June, he became a dual-winner of the Price Of Wales's Stakes, producing a fine performance that had subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz trailing some five-and-three-quarter lengths back in third. He earned an RPR of 133 for that effort, but next time didn't quite go to plan when beaten into fourth in the Juddmonte International.
However, the ground won't have been to his liking that day; Saturday's conditions set to be far more to his liking.
Coming off the fastest turnaround is Bay City Roller, sent here just 13 days following his brilliant Arc second behind Daryz. Connections opted to swerve this race last year, but all the noise coming from George Scott's yard suggests that he has bounced out of Longchamp very well. Victory in the Coronation Cup and brave efforts in defeat to Daryz represent a marked improvement this season and he is sure to pounce on any underperformance from the top two.
Aidan O'Brien has kept everyone guessing with regard to the plan for Constitution River this week, with Thursday's declaration stage eventually revealing that he will stick with 10 furlongs this weekend as oppose for a crack at the mile in the QEII. Group 1 successes at Chantilly and Sandown earlier in the season suggested that he could be a real, real superstar for Ballydoyle, but things haven't gone quite to plan since in the Juddmonte and Irish Champion Stakes. He's developed a few quirks as time has gone by and he will want to iron them out before Saturday if this proves to be his final outing before he is sent off to stud.
Third last year, Almaqam returns with that elusive Group 1 win under his belt, courtesy of two-length win over Bay City Roller in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the beginning of the season. Ed Walker will be praying for a little bit of rain in the build-up, time and time again he has proven to handle a bit of cut much better than his rivals. This was probably seen to its fullest effect in the Juddmonte where he was only narrowly edged out by Item, but did have Ombudsman in his rear view mirror.
Champion Stakes confirmed runners
- Almaqam
- Bay City Roller
- Calandagan
- Devil's Advocate
- Ombudsman
- Constitution River
Champion Stakes betting odds
(Odds will display when market is available)
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
