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Voice to appear in Champion Stakes

Poet's Voice hasn't shaped like a horse crying out for a step up in trip
Poet's Voice hasn't shaped like a horse crying out for a step up in trip

Godolphin's recent Ascot winner Poet's Voice will be supplemented for next weekend's Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

The progressive three-year-old edged out the talented Rip Van Winkle in a thrilling finish to last month's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is now set to step up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on Saturday week.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, racing manager Simon Crisford said: ‘We have decided to supplement Poet's Voice for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket instead of the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs to limit his travelling at this stage of his career.

‘We also feel that 10 furlongs could be the best trip for him now that he is settled so well and it is possible that a sharp mile around two bends could work against him.’

It will cost connections £30,000 to add him to the field on Monday.

Twice Over continues ticking over to Henry Cecil's satisfaction ahead of his defence of the Group One event.

Cecil said: ‘Twice Over seems in great form.

‘It was a funny race in Ireland. He couldn't pick the other horse up, I don't know why.

‘But he seems very well and I'm sure he's going to run very well next week.’

Ed Dunlop confirmed his dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy as a likely contender as long as the ground is suitable.

Last seen finishing fourth in the St Leger, the Intikhab filly will be stepping back to 10 furlongs before heading off on her travels.

He said: ‘She'll go for the Champion Stakes as long as the ground is OK. Then she will go for a valuable race in Japan, the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup, three weeks later.

‘Ryan Moore rode her this morning and said she felt as well as ever.’

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