British Champions Day fields taking shape

The Toronado vs. Dawn Approach rematch looks very much on the cards in

Europe's richest mile race, the £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. A positive

bulletin about Toronado has been made by Richard Hannon Jr. as the scratchings

were announced for the five Group 1 races on British Champions Day at Ascot on

October 19.

Dawn Approach leads 2-1 after his Two Thousand Guineas and St James's Palace

Stakes victories, but Toronado has the most recent triumph to his name after

landing the Sussex Stakes.

With the likes of Maxios, Farhh, Sky Lantern, Olympic Glory, Soft Falling

Rain, Declaration of War, Magician, Gordon Lord Byron and Elusive Kate amongst

the 26 remaining engaged, it could become one of the most eagerly awaited mile

races for many years.

Some have alternative engagements in the £1.3 million Champion Stakes,

Europe's richest 1 1/4-mile race in which 24 horses remain engaged, notably

Toronado, Maxios, Farhh, Sky Lantern, Declaration of War and Magician, but

Toronado looks like heading for the QEII.

"No firm plans have been made yet but there is every chance that we will be

represented in both races," Hannon said. "Toronado has had a small procedure

done on his palate and the way that he is progressing now there is an excellent

chance that he will make it back for Champions Day. He is back working well and

the QEII is the more likely race for him.

"Sky Lantern has come out of the Sun Chariot really well and has the option

of running in both races, we need to talk it over with her owner.

"Olympic Glory did not turn very well when he finished second in the Prix du

Moulin in France so the straight mile of the QEII ought to suit him.

"Montiridge ran the race of his life in the Joel Stakes, he's a very good

horse. The QEII is a possibility for him, but he has targets in Dubai in March

and other options beforehand."

Alan Cooper, racing manager to the Niarchos Family, said about Maxios, the

impressive winner of the Prix du Moulin last month, "He has been in very good

form since the Moulin. He has been left in both the QEII and the Champion Stakes

to keep our options open -- we will decide nearer the time. The Moulin was a

great result for Maxios and a reward for the patience that has been vested in

him.

"Main Sequence is also a possible for the Champion Stakes."

Cirrus des Aigles, winner in 2011 and runner-up to Frankel last year, remains

engaged in the Champion Stakes after his return to form at Maisons-Laffitte last

time out, while other Group 1 winners to have stood their ground include Al

Kazeem, Camelot, Magician, Ruler of the World and The Fugue.

There is a third Group 1 race this year with the upgrading of the £500,000

British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, now the most valuable all-aged

fillies and mares race in Europe.

The 18 remaining engaged include the one-two from this year's Epsom Oaks, the

Ralph Beckett-trained Talent and Secret Gesture, South African Group 1 winning

star Igugu, who made a good comeback over a mile at Newmarket last week, and

German Group 1 winners Nymphea and Temida.

"I was delighted with Talent's run (second) in the St Leger and the British

Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes is the obvious place to take her to end her

year," Beckett said. "The plan is that she will stay in training.

"Talent is better with some juice in the ground and she is more likely to get

that at Ascot than anywhere else. I think Ascot will suit her well and I am not

sure that the drop back in trip will make much difference to her. As she gets

older I think that she will be less dependent on having to be dropped out and

ridden from behind.

"The British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes is a possibility for Secret

Gesture but she is likely to run in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp this

Sunday. After that we'll see."

Five French-trained fillies and mares remain engaged, including Dalkala, who

defeated the subsequent Group 1 winner Ambivalent, who also remains engaged, in

the Middleton Stakes at York in May.

Lady Cecil's highly regarded Hot Snap, for whom this will be a first try at 1

1/2 miles, a distance she looks to be crying out for on the evidence of her last

two starts, has stood her ground along with Michael Bell's Park Hill Stakes

winner The Lark.

Last year's top three, Maarek, who returned to form at Newbury last time,

Hawkeyethenoo and Sirius Prospect, have stood their ground in the Group 2,

£350,000 British Champions Sprint.

Also engaged is classy sprinter Reckless Abandon and three heavyweights from

the Eddie Lynam yard, Sole Power, Slade Power and Viztoria. Lynam also has

Balmont Mast in the race.

Aidan O'Brien has left Cristoforo Colombo and the Jersey Stakes winner Gale

Force Ten in the race for which 32 remain engaged.

The Queen's Gold Cup winner, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Estimate, remains

engaged in the Group 3, £200,000 British Champions Long Distance Cup along with

the one-two from last year, Rite of Passage and Aiken.

Rite Of Passage, who won the Gold Cup in 2010, has not run since his victory

last year and it would be another remarkable training performance by Dermot Weld

if he could follow up this year. Weld has also left in the very impressive Irish

St Leger winner Voleuse de Coeurs and Pale Mimosa.

Goodwood Cup winner Brown Panther has stood his ground though the Melbourne

Cup remains a more likely target, while Lonsdale Cup winner Ahzeemah, Doncaster

Cup one-two Times Up and High Jinx, the fast-improving Tac De Boistron, 2012

Gold Cup winner Colour Vision, and last year's Irish St Leger winner Royal

Diamon, are others to note among the 29 left in.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com