Queen Elizabeth II stakes

Following Monday's confirmation stage, 17 horses remain in contention for Saturday's G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot, including the top-class three-year-olds Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Calandagan (Ire) in what has the makings of a blockbuster clash. Trained by William Haggas, Economics is unbeaten in four starts this season, culminating with a first Group 1 victory in last month's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, while French challenger Calandagan confirmed himself a major force to be reckoned with when filling the runner-up spot behind the outstanding City Of Troy (Justify)...

   Still in its infancy but already firmly established as a staple of racing's culinary experience, Ascot's Qipco British Champions Day is back on Saturday with the first of possibly several editions set in the COVID-19 era. No crowds, none of the hoopla that characteristically greets the collection of luminaries in all categories, no atmosphere other than that created by the races themselves. Back in June, the Royal meeting was the first of the country's major festivals to take place in the current void and it came through thanks largely...

G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois victor Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) will bid to keep his unbeaten record intact in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 17. Trainer John Gosden, who will be bidding for a fifth win in the race, said, "Palace Pier will go straight to Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II S. He took his race at Deauville [the Marois] well, and he's been in good order since. I don't think the ground there...

Last week's G1 Sussex S. winner Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) is aiming for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on Champions Day as his next big target, with trainer Marcus Tregoning as-yet undecided as to whether the 4-year-old will have another start prior. "His end-of-season target will be the QEII," said Tregoning. "Whether something slots in before that we're not sure yet, but Ascot is his main target. "We could have really done with the [G1 Prix Jacques le] Marois being a week later than it is. There isn't anything...