Champion Stakes Ascot (15th Oct)

Should connections of Almanzor change their minds and head to the 'Arc' it could allow Minding a golden opportunity to resume her winning way here, I believe.

Hoping for an opportunity to oppose Almanzor in this. Obviously will depend on field size and going, but would love to see him try to repeat the manner of his Leopardstown win in this. For sure he'll be held up out the back.

Yesterday some bookies had Minding at 16/1 prior to the misfortune news of La Cressonniere. Now only 5/1, and will be 2/1 (if confirmed for race) and lesser if Almanzor heads for the 'Arc'. If so, only danger is Fascinating Rock, I believe; I also believe coming up the centre of track was the difference between winning and losing in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Almanzor is 2/1 favourite and he looks far too short to me.

Zarak has finished runner-up to him twice this season, beaten a length and a half in the french Derby and then a lenght in the Group2 when reportedly in need of the run. I don't know whether he runs in the Arc next or the Prix Dollar over 10f but he should not be 10 x the price of Almanzor for Ascot. 20/1 is far too big. Incidentally, CDA won the prix dollar before his Champion Stakes win.

Zarak is 5/4 (here) for the Prix Dollar.

Almanzor is definitely running here - all being well - he's been taken out of the 'Arc' today.

I think a rematch against Minding is very, very likely now as she is unlikely to run in the QE2 against the colts over 8f or the Fillies and Mares where AOB already has Seventh Heaven.

the older horses for me so Found and Jack Hobbs for me

Backed Found.

Would love to see Found win for obvious reasons but it's notoriously difficult to win straight after winning the Arc in the same year. Having said that, I can't honestly say I know exactly how many tried but I remember a few that tried and lost and can't remember the last one that won. On top of that Found ran a peak at Leopardstown, ran close to it again at Chantilly and returns here only 13 days later and under those circumstances I'd say it's odds against most horses running to their best form. I would've been against Almanzor making a quick reappearance but he's had a 5 week break and that might just be enough for him to recover but at this price I'll have to pass. It's possible they could both run below par here but most of these just don't look up to even moderate Gp1 level. Of the 3yos USAR looks to have regressed recently and it seems a big step up for Midterm. Jack Hobbs and Racing History both have the potential to improve as 4yos but backing either of them would just be a shot in the dark after not running for so long. Too difficult

I thought The Grey Gatsby ran a fine race - despite getting third...nice to see the horse showing some sparkle...

*I mean 5th