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Despite the heavy rain forecast, multiple stars from the 2023 flat racing season have been declared for Saturday’s Champions Day at Ascot, including Mostahdaf and Paddington.
Nine remain in the feature Group 1 British Champion Stakes, headed by dual Group 1 winner Mostahdaf from the John and Thady Gosden yard. Despite concerns about the ground, the Shadwell-owned five-year-old will attempt to add another top-level success to his tally unless conditions become unsuitable. The French-trained Horizon Dore is expected to put up a big performance in search for a fifth straight success whilst last year's winner Bay Bridge cannot be ruled out. Frankie Dettori will take the ride on Amo Racing's King Of Steel, in what could be his last ride in Europe before moving to the US.
It will be the clash of the three-year-olds in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with the Classic winning Paddington set to take on Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Tahiyra and 2000 Guineas victor Chaldean. The older horses will be represented by the Gosden's Nashwa, who will be the sole female representative from the stable following the withdrawal of Inspiral due to ground worries.
Kinross' job has been made a little easier in the Group 1 British Champion Sprint Stakes following the defection of exciting three-year-old Shaquille, but he will still require a big effort to beat the Charlie Fellowes-trained Vadream, who relishes soft ground. The pair are joined at the top of the market by Group 3 winner Mill Stream and Andrew Balding's Sandrine, victorious in the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster.
Fourteen have been declared for the twelve furlong British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, headed by Dettori's ride Free Wind. It is a fairly open renewal of the contest with Aidan O'Brien bringing over Jackie Oh and Above The Curve, who are joined by the Charlton's Time Lock, winner at Newmarket last time.
Trueshan will be bidding for a fourth success in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup and faces strong opposition from Aidan O'Brien's Prix du Cadran winner Kyprios and last year's runner-up, Coltrane.