French star Calandagan tests his powers against Ombudsman and Delacroix in what promises to be an epic renewal of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Francis-Henri Graffard's raider has already proven his liking for the Berkshire circuit by winning the King Edward VII Stakes last season and the King George this term, as well as finishing a close second to the now-retired Anmaat in this race 12 months ago.
Having been kept fresh since his King George triumph in late July, connections are confident of another bold showing in the Champions Day showpiece.
Nemone Routh, French racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: "It’s a wonderful race, we’re very happy that it’s being run on good ground and we’re very happy with his draw (stall seven) because last year he was drawn one and it didn’t really suit him. He broke poorly, Mickael (Barzalona) had to ride him to get a position on that inner track and it didn’t work out.
"We’re very happy with where he is. I suppose the question mark is over the trip as he hasn’t run over a mile and a quarter since he ran in the Champion Stakes a year ago, but we think he’s a versatile horse, he’s in great form, we know he likes Ascot and he’s very reliable – he always runs a good race.
"We’ll just have to see how he sits in this field. We’re certainly not counting our chickens before the eggs have hatched, but he’s been our flagbearer this year and it should be a really exciting race – I think it’s good for the sport."
Calandagan sits second in most markets for the Champion Stakes, sandwiched in between Ombudsman and Delacroix, who will meet for the third time this season with the score one apiece.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Delacroix was the narrow victor in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in early July, but John and Thady Gosden’s Ombudsman emphatically turned the tables in the Juddmonte International at York the following month and he is the favourite to confirm his superiority.
William Buick will be aboard the latter and told the Godolphin website: "Ombudsman had a nice rest after York, where he showed everyone what he could do.
"I have ridden him at home and he appears to be in great form. I think the likely ground conditions are going to help everybody and it’s a great race to be part of."
Since his York defeat, Delacroix has bounced back to winning ways in the Irish Champion Stakes and now bids to become only the seventh horse to complete the Champion Stakes double.
"Everything has gone great since Leopardstown, we’ve been happy with everything since," said O’Brien.
"It’s a massive day’s racing and where everybody wants to be. Ascot is an incredible place, we’ve got an incredible race on and it’s going to be lovely ground, so I think everybody is looking forward to it."
On renewing his rivalry with Ombudsman, the Ballydoyle handler added: "That’s what everybody does it for, I know that’s what our lads do it for and that’s what we all want to see – the best horses meeting on the big days all the time and races being as competitive and as fair as possible."
Andrew Balding runs the fast-improving Almeric, winner of each of his three starts since finishing fourth on his debut, as well as Fox Legacy, who followed up victory in the John Smith’s Cup at York with an emphatic success in a conditions race at Goodwood in early August.
"It was frustrating because he (Almeric) won the Feilden Stakes in April but then he got an injury which meant we missed the French Derby, which was his target and a shame," said the Kingsclere handler.
"I thought he looked good on his comeback at Ayr, but this is in at the deep end. I’m sure he will be capable of mixing it at the top level in time, but whether that is on Saturday we’ll find out."
Of Fox Legacy, he added: "I think this horse has really found his feet, he had had a couple of races really close together and thought we would keep him fresh for this race.
"We thought it might cut up but it’s as deep a Champion Stakes as we have seen in years. The plan has kind of backfired and we’re 25-1 rather than say 10-1, but he’s a capable horse who will give his best."
The Andre Fabre-trained First Look won the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend at Longchamp a fortnight ago and was supplemented on Monday.
Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing, said: "We’ve had to supplement him and it’s obviously a phenomenal race. It’s going to be difficult, but we’ll find out how good he is.
"If he’s within two or three lengths of the winner, if that’s finishing in mid-division or wherever, then we know we’re in great shape for next year.
"He’s a gelding and we don’t need to protect him, he’s won his last three starts, but we know this is a completely different league."
