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QIPCO Champion Stakes preview

Richest race of British Champions Day is the QIPCO Champion Stakes. The middle distance star of the year might have headed to the Arc instead, but the favourite here is a genuine star.

Taking the reins is international racecalling prodigy Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

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QIPCO Champion Stakes
Group 1, 10f, £1.3m
1505 local, 0105 AEDST


1 Air Pilot (50/1) (United Kingdom): Been a progressive type this year. Winner of the G3 International Stakes at the Curragh and was favourite for the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis - Bayerisches in Germany but was a withdrawal at the starting gate after injuring himself. Made a good return two weeks ago however in the G2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp running a nice third. This is a bit harder however and is maybe better on fast ground.

2 Fascinating Rock (16/1) (Ireland): Good horse who runs his best races with the sting out of the ground which will suit him here. Three wins from five starts this season in the LR Heritage Stakes, G3 Mooresbridge Stakes and G3 Enterprise Stakes with also a second in the G1 Tattersall’s Gold Cup to Al Kazeem and a disappointing fifth to fellow rival Racing History in the G3 Winter Hill Stakes. Will acquit himself well and look’s an Each-Way bet.

3 Lightning Spear (40/1) (United Kingdom): Been very progressive this year running a top second to Arod in the G2 Summer Mile Stakes and then a staying on fourth in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois but only third in the G2 Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown last time. Should run out this longer 10 furlong trip, going on his Marois run, however he looks much better suited on fast ground.

4 Maverick Wave (50/1) (United Kingdom): Another progressive horse this year from the John Gosden barn. G3 winner of the Huxley Stakes in May but absolutely bombed out in the G1 Arlington Million last time.

5 The Corsican (12/1) (United Kingdom): Improving type this year finished a blinding fourth over the Course and Distance in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes in June and then finished second in the G3 Glorious Stakes to Dubday and then won the G3 Legacy Cup over Sky Hunter and Eagle Top last time. Comes into the race in really good form and goes in all types of ground.

6 Tullius (40/1) (United Kingdom): Consistent type that never disgraces himself. Has some good enough form this year but it will be tough.

7 Vadamos (6/1) (France): Big boom horse of the race. Has improved enormously this year and was a big five-length G2 winner in Germany in September over a mile. Won a conditions race at Chantilly over ten furlongs the time before easily. Huge class rise but Monsieur Fabre is usually right when he says he might have a future champion on his hands.

8 Ribbons (20/1) (United Kingdom): Consistent filly that is arguably in the strongest race she’s faced in her career her but won very cosily in the G2 Blandford Stakes last time and loves the sting out of the ground.

9 Jack Hobbs (5/4) (United Kingdom): Has the best form with a second to Golden Horn in the Dante and Derby and then an easy win the Irish Derby and won the G3 September Stakes very comfortably last time. Missed the Arc for this and even though he’s drawn poorly in 12, he’s the one to beat.

10 Palace Prince (66/1) (Germany): German horse that was fourth to Prince Gibraltar in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden last time and two starts before that finished second to Nutan in the German Derby. Rough place here.

11 Racing History (14/1) (United Kingdom): Hugely progressive type that won the G3 Winter Hill Stakes cosily last time. Could be another boom horse in this.

12 Sumbal (33/1) (France): French horse that had won three from three before running fifth in the French Derby and then only sixth in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville and a good second to Karaktar last time, back over a suitable trip for him, in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange. Tougher here however.

13 Found (9/2) (Ireland): Very consistent filly that’s finished second in the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Irish Champion Stakes this year. Didn’t have the greatest bit of luck in the Arc last time, obviously there’s confidence in the Aidan O’Brien stable by running her in this instead of the Fillies & Mares. Be right up there.

Selections
(9) Jack Hobbs - (13) Found – (7) Vadamos – (5) The Corsican – (11) Racing History – (2) Fascinating Rock – (8) Ribbons – (12) Sumbal – (3) Lightning Spear.

The Bet
(9) Jack Hobbs to win.

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