British Champions Day: Who are the main contenders at Ascot?

Can he finally get it right at Ascot in what could be his final career start? The aforementioned duo will fancy their chances along with rejuvenated four-timer seeking Limato and the unpredictable Brando.

Fillies and Mares Stakes

Outside of Stradivarius, Lah Ti Dar is probably the likeliest good thing on Champions Day. Gosden’s fantastic filly has won three out of her four starts and found only Kew Gardens too tough in the St Leger last month. That form line is comfortably the strongest in the race.

Prix Vermeille winner Kitesurf and Coronet will oppose alongside O’Brien pair Hydrangea and Magical. Roger Varian’s three-year-old, Pilaster, could also challenge back down at 1m 4f after winning a Group 2 contest at Goodwood and finishing runner-up at Doncaster over 1m 6f.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Laurens rarely goes off as favourite. And she’s not likely to again here with Roaring Lion looking for his fourth Group 1 win in a row. Gosden’s star has been imperious over 1m 2f this term. Can he handle the drop back to 1m? If he can’t, then Laurens will likely be on the premises. Karl Burke’s filly has lost just once over 1m and recently landed her fourth Group 1 of the season in the Sun Chariot Stakes. Connections have opted to supplement the three-year-old for this one – and with a £660,000 pot on offer, who can blame them?

French raider Recoletos’ form doesn’t look quite as good following Wind Chimes’ disappointing showing in the Sun Chariot. Likewise, Lightning Spear has disappointed in this company before. Ex-handicappers Lord Glitters, Addeybb and Beat The Bank will be hopeful of positive runs.

Champion Stakes

Cracksman bolted up by 7l to win the Champion Stakes 12 months ago. Gosden’s under-fire colt is unlikely to have things quite as easy this time. The son of Frankel requires tread underfoot to do his best work and must bounce back from defeat to Poet’s Word in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June.

If he doesn’t, then Crystal Ocean will certainly be on the premises. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge missed the Arc in favour of this and must be taken under consideration after running well behind Enable in the September Stakes. Capri remains relatively fresh in the context of the season, while Monarchs Glen will need a significant step up to challenge in this company.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing