Big names still bound for Ascot

Most of the leading middle-distance performers in Europe remain in contention for the QIPCO Champion Stakes after the latest forfeit stage for the race passed this week.

The field is set to be headed by Almanzor, withdrawn from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Wednesday morning in order to focus upon this £1.3million prize on October 15. The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt has already won both the French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes this season

The first four home in last year’s renewal – Fascinating Rock, Found, Jack Hobbs and Racing History – could be on course to meet again, while the first two in this year’s Investec Derby, Harzand and US Army Ranger, plus Minding, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks winner, are other possibles. Minding also has alternative entries in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes on the same card.

My Dream Boat, Highland Reel and Hawkbill, all also Group One winners in Britain this season, are also still engaged in the Champion Stakes.

Meanwhile, Lightning Spear is on course to spearhead a strong team of challengers for the race sponsor QIPCO elsewhere on the British Champions Day card.

The five-year-old, trained by David Simcock, carries the maroon and gold silks of Qatar Racing and will represent them in the £1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Lightning Spear was a fine third to Tepin in the Queen Anne Stakes on his last visit to the Berkshire course and on his latest start he was a fluent winner of the Group Two Doom Bar Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

“He’s in top form, flying, and we are hoping to see him run a huge race,” reported David Redvers, racing and bloodstock manager for Qatar Racing. “I always felt he was a Group One horse, right from his two-year-olds days, and it’s been a case of getting there. He’s got there now and now we need to win one as I’m hoping he’s …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com