Fifteen horses were left in Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion S. at Tuesday's declaration stage, headed by current favorite Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling), and trainer John Gosden said the draw will be key for Godolphin's G1 Irish Derby winner, who warmed up for this assignment with an eye-catching score in the G3 September S. at Kempton Sept. 5.
“When you put that kind of race on for that kind of money you'll get a lot of really classy and tough horses,” Gosden noted.
“I think the key thing is the draw. If you've ever stood at the mile and a quarter start at Ascot, if you get drawn wide, you hit that bend in Swinley Bottom pretty fast, so we'll all be hoping to be drawn one to about eight. There won't be room for all of us there, so let's hope nobody feels hard done by with the draw.”
Gosden has also left in a potential pacemaker for Jack Hobbs in Maverick Wave (Elusive Quality). Trainer Aidan O'Brien has one representative left standing, the 3-year-old filly Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and others still standing their ground include 2011 winner Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}); Group 1-winning juvenile Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}); Irish representative Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Ire}); and Group 1-winning mare Ribbons (GB) (Manduro {Ger}), who gets the services of Frankie Dettori.
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