Bay Bridge, who shocked the racing world by ending Baaeed’s unbeaten record in last season’s Champion Stakes, faces eight rivals in defence of his crown at Ascot this weekend.
Mostahdaf, the impressive winner of this year’s Juddmonte International and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, would appear to be the leading player on ratings but the five-year-old’s participation is in doubt due to adverse ground conditions.
That means Bay Bridge’s principal rivals are likely to be Prix Dollar scorer Horizon Dore and Epsom Derby second King Of Steel, who has Frankie Dettori on board for the first time.
Group 1-winning mare Via Sistina races against the opposite sex for the first time in more than year, while My Prospero is back in top company after a victory at Listed level last time out.
Royal Rhyme – the only other three-year-old in the field – goes for a hat-trick, Dubai Honour returns from a lengthy break, while Aidan O’Brien is represented by outsider Point Lonsdale.
The latest Champion Stakes odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Champion Stakes verdict
Timeform: Conditions will no doubt play their part in the signature race of the day and with no Auguste Rodin to worry about, KING OF STEEL is selected to gain a first Group 1 level success of his career and give Frankie Dettori the perfect send off on his ‘final’ ride in Europe. Bay Bridge’s finest hour came when landing this contest 12 months ago and he looks sure to put up a bold defence his crown, with Via Sistina and Mostahdaf (who is by no means a guaranteed runner) another couple to consider.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Champion Stakes runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Champion Stakes 2023.
Bay Bridge
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 8
Plenty to like about his performance tackling 1½m for the first time as he easily won the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton last month. Too keen as has often been the case this year when sixth in the Arc since but goes well in the mud so should put up a bold defence his crown.
****
Dubai Honour
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: James Doyle Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 6
Big improver over 1¼m at 3, winning pair of Group 2s in France and runner-up in this corresponding event. Failed to reach those levels in 2022 but firmly back on track this season, winning a couple of Group 1s in Australia in the spring. No impact when last seen in Eclipse so best watched.
**
Mostahdaf
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 7
Finally confirmed himself the top-notcher he’d long looked when impressively landing the Prince of Wales at Royal Ascot and fully confirmed that improvement when controlling the Juddmonte at York (10.2f) a couple of months ago. Softer ground a concern but could figure if standing his ground.
***
My Prospero
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 4
Very progressive 3-y-o, signing off with a close third in this corresponding event 12 months ago. Gradually back to form this term, going close in messy Group 2 at York before capitalising on the drop in grade in listed event at Goodwood most recently. First-time blinkers/tongue tie applied.
***
Point Lonsdale
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 4 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 3
Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed better than ever this spring with successes in 10f Alleged Stakes at the Curragh and Huxley Stakes at Chester. Back to best when sixth to Auguste Rodin in Irish Champion Stakes 6 weeks ago but will surely come up short in this field.
**
Via Sistina
Trainer: George Boughey Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 9
Made a winning return in Dahlia Stakes and backed that up when landing Pretty Polly at the Curragh in July. Falmouth probably came too soon less than a fortnight later but was back on song when nose second to Mqse De Sevigne in Prix Jean Romanet. Handles soft ground so she’s one to consider.
****
Horizon Dore
Trainer: P. Cottier Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 2
French Raider who has progressed well this year, gaining his fourth success in a row in Prix Dollar at Longchamp (9.7f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Ground somewhat of a concern but he’s firmly on the up so must be respected on his first attempt at the top table.
***
King Of Steel
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 1
Massive improvement on return for a new yard when finding only Auguste Rodin too good in the Derby, going clear but collared late. Easy winner of Group 2 at the Royal meeting here next time and back to best on his first go at this trip when fourth in Irish Champion 6 weeks ago. Major player.
*****
Royal Rhyme
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 3 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 5
Most progressive away from firmish ground this year, winning 10f handicaps at Newmarket in May and Goodwood in August. Took the step up in grade in his stride when taking listed race at Ayr (10f) 4 weeks ago and he’s certainly worth chancing in this given forecast testing conditions.
***
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