QIPCO Champion Stakes 2013

4.05 Ascot

QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £737,230

Advice: 1 pt each/way Morandi (10/1 general)

Cirrus Des Aigles: Been a star performer for past two Champions days, winning 2011 renewal here before chasing home Frankel (gave him slight run for his money) last year on softer surface; Not been at his best this season until last run but it was a deeply impressive turn of foot he used to settle Prix Dollar latest and should take the beating again.

Farhh: One of the best horses from a mile to 10f in the country, a point he underlined when slamming his Lockinge opposition by four lengths on return (had previously been unlucky in prince of Wales before being well beaten behind Frankel twice) from successful season; Been off the track since then but long absences not an inssue and no reason why he can’t go close.

Hunter's Light: Had some success going abroad but beaten favourite in July for German Group 1 and looks outclassed here.

Main Sequence: Second in Derby last year but has become disappointing (as that race’s form has been) and looks too slow for this

Mukhadram: Form has taken on a new level this season from the front, on appearance hard worked to beat main Sequence before a superb effort when only Al Kazeem was able to run him down in Prince of Wales’s Stakes; Beaten further in Eclipse but that was still quality effort and strength at the finish in York Stakes that of an improved horse; Worry is that this ground wrecked his chances.

Parish Hall: Clearly very useful still despite a year that he missed after winning Dewhurst, winning Group 3 at Dundalk after solid effort in Irish Champion; has to show that soft suits him though.

Hillstar: Rewarded the faith and market support shown so regularly when landing King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot with late run, and then third in King George; Fourth in Juddmonte wasn’t the worst effort but not sure he wants this trip; Won on soft.

Morandi: Been on and off this year but second to Intello in Jockey Club looks damn good now and latest effort in defeat to that one a perfect tuneup for this; Excelleed as juvenile when going was testing with more than one wide margin win, including 7 length success in Criterium De Saint-Cloud; Can go well here.

Ruler of the World: Below form on first start since Derby win but proved that all wrong with close Prix Niel second, although tapped possibly for toe and pace when seventh in Arc two weeks ago; No shame at all in that and we know he will go on the surface; Just a question of if this is his ideal trip.

Triple Threat: Appeared not to stay properly when only eighth in Prix Niel latest but had just taken having come from last to first to land Prix Eugene Adam, fulfilling promise that had seen him sent off as favourite for Criterium International as 2yo; Plenty to find but was previously progressive and not to be ruled out.

VERDICT: Cirrus Des Aigles is a worthy favourite to take back his title with ground having come right for him. If in his Prix Dollar winning form – which hinted that he was at his best after a quiet season in winning terms – he should take the beating with Farhh untested on this deep a surface, but neither of the two are much value and with Ruler of the World possible not a 10 furlong horse MORANDI may be value to give them all a run for their money on ground they love.