Frankel, in what is expected to be the final start of his remarkable unbeaten
career, Cirrus des Aigles and Nathaniel are all set to contest Europe’s richest
10-furlong race, the Group 1, £1.3 million Champion Stakes at Ascot, which could
make it one of the highest-rated races this century.
German raider Pastorius was also confirmed Monday for Saturday’s race and is
set to take his chance for trainer Mario Hofer. The three-year-old has won twice
at Group 1 level this year, taking the Deutches Derby over 12 furlongs and the
10-furlong Bayerisches Zuchtrennen. On his most recent start, the Solder Hollow
colt recorded a comfortable Group 3 victory over 10 furlongs at Hoppegarten on
October 3.
“Pastorius is coming over for the Champion Stakes,” Hofer said Monday. “He is
in very good condition and everything is fine with him. I have seen that the
weather forecast is for a little bit of rain and he loves soft ground.
“Frankel is in another world compared to our horse and I would be delighted
if we made the first three. I am very happy with Pastorius and, without risk,
there is no reward.”
A total of eight horses go forward in the Champion with the confirmations
also including Aidan O’Brien’s progressive performer Declaration of War and the
French-trained filly Ridasiyna, impressive when taking the Group 1 Prix de
l’Opera at Longchamp on October 7. Frankel’s pacemaker Bullet Train and Master
of Hounds complete the possible line up.
Meanwhile Excelebration, the second best miler behind Frankel this year, has
his opportunity to win the biggest prize of his career in the Group 1 Queen
Elizabeth II Stakes.
Group 1 winners Cityscape, Elusive Kate and Most Improved also feature among
the 10 confirmations for the £1 million contest, Europe’s most valuable mile
race.
Her Majesty The Queen will be in attendance at Ascot on British Champions Day
and is set to have a runner in the race named in her honor with Carlton House.
The four-year-old, who finished third in the 2011 Group 1 Epsom , has made
three appearances so far this season. After making a successful return in the
Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in May, the son of Street Cry chased home So
You Think in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s at Royal Ascot. On his latest start,
he dropped down in trip to contest the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot on July 21,
when he failed to settle and came home fourth.
“The plan is for Carlton House to run at Ascot,” said John Warren, racing
manager to The Queen. “All is very well with him and he is on target for the
weekend. He didn’t settle in the Summer Mile but he is in good form and we are
looking forward to seeing him run.
“I wouldn’t think any of the horses would like the ground to be bottomless
but I don’t think that we are too concerned about the going. If it really tipped
down, then we would discuss it but we are happy with everything at the moment.”
Indomito, Side Glance, Declaration of War, Requisition and Sovereign Debt
complete the 10 confirmations for the Queen Elizabeth II.
British Champions Day kicks off with the Group 3, £200,000 British Champions
Long Distance Cup, with the 16 confirmations including last year’s winner Fame
and Glory, who also won the 2011 Group 1 Gold Cup. Godolphin’s duo Colour Vision
and Opinion Poll, who filled the first two places in this year’s Gold Cup at
Royal Ascot, and Group 2 Goodwood Cup victor Saddler’s Rock are all set to take
their chance, while a third Gold Cup winner, the 2010 hero Rite of Passage, has
also been confirmed.
Attention switches to speed for race two, the Group 2, £250,000 British
Champions Sprint over six furlongs. Last year’s runner-up and recent Group 1
Prix de l’Abbaye victor Wizz Kid could bid to go one better, while course
specialist Society Rock, successful in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last
time out, also goes forward.
A fascinating clash of the generations is on the cards in the Group 2,
£267,505 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over 1 1/2 milews. The 2011
heroine Dancing Rain is set to make her seasonal reappearance in the prestigious
contest and looks likely to face another Group 1 Oaks winner Was and Great
Heavens, successful in the Irish equivalent. The French raiders Jehannedarc and
La Pomme d’Amour add further spice to a fascinating contest.
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