British Champions Day Horses, Connections to Watch
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Stradivarius takes center stage Saturday at Ascot
Racing Post's Joe Napier looks at the big storylines for Saturday's racing at Ascot.
Trainer
Frenchman Francis-Henri Graffard is looking to upset the apple cart at Ascot Oct. 18. Only he and Martyn Meade train favorites outside of John Gosden's Clarehaven stables or Ballydoyle on the Champions Day card.
A win for Graffard, The Revenant (GB) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1)-winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) could encourage more overseas interest in Ascot's autumn showpiece.
With Magna Grecia currently the second favorite, Graffard will look to again deny Aidan O'Brien another group 1 this season following this year's Coronation Stakes, which saw Graffard-trained Watch Me defeat Hermosa.
Jockey
Set to be crowned champion jockey for the first time after a sensational season, Oisin Murphy has rides in all six races at Ascot.
He holds an unassailable lead over Danny Tudhope in the Flat jockeys' championship, but the celebratory champagne will taste even sweeter should he also ride a winner on the card.
His best chance of gracing the winner's enclosure may be aboard Godolphin's Benbatl in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Saeed bin Suroor's globetrotter returned to England with a five-length thumping of King of Comedy in the Joel Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.
Deirdre also provides Murphy with a good opportunity in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1).
Horse
Stradivarius is one of the stars on show at Ascot and if winning a second QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2), he will once again take center stage. The chestnut boasts a ten-race unbeaten streak since May 2018 and he is undoubtedly Champions Day's main pull.
With Cracksman retired and Enable being saved for next year, Stradivarius will be free to strut his stuff clear of any shade. He is a class act and a defence of his title will deservedly steal the headlines.
Race
This year's Champion Stakes looks to have an interesting field with last year's QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares (G1) winner Magical at the head of the market.
She will be bidding for her fourth group 1 following her fifth-placed effort in the Arc, having previously won the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown.
The soft-ground loving Addeybb (IRE) will be hoping to cause an upset. The 5-year-old won the Listed Wolferton Stakes over the same course and distance at Royal Ascot and has been given a break since winning a group 3 at Haydock.
Trainer John Gosden has won the last two renewals with Cracksman and this year he is represented by Coronet and Mehdaayih. The Japanese-trained Nassau Stakes (G1) winner Deirdre adds international luster to the nine-runner affair.