Four added to field for Champion
Rob Roy and Chic, both trained by Sir Michael Stoute, plus Godolphin’s Echo Of Light and French raider Pinson from Jean Claude Rouget’s stable, take the number of horses confirmed for the Group One feature over a mile and a quarter to 17.
Stoute has a third acceptor in Maraahel, while Godolphin have also left in Layman.
Aidan O’Brien is currently triple-handed with Coral-Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes hero Oratorio as well as Ace and Mullins Bay.
There are three other potential French challengers in Prospect Park, Touch Of Land and Pride, with the smart Irish mare Alexander Goldrun also on the list.
The Michael Jarvis-trained Rakti, the winner two years ago, has stood his ground, and Luca Cumani’s Alkaased could turn up after being forced to miss the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when a cut became infected.
Brian Meehan’s David Junior and the Barry Hills-trained Whazzat complete the confirmations.
Emirates Airline Champion Stakes:
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Oratorio, 5-1 Alkaased, 13-2 Rakti, 8-1 Pinson, Pride, 10-1 Alexander Goldrun, 14-1 Chic, Rob Roy, 16-1 Ace, Echo Of Light, Touch Of Land, 20-1 bar.
William Hill: 5-2 Oratorio, 6-1 Alkaased, Pride, Rakti, 10-1 Alexander Goldrun, Pinson, 12-1 Rob Roy, 14-1 Chic, Maraahel, 16-1 Ace, Echo of Light, 20-1 bar.
Meanwhile Godolphin’s three Melbourne Spring Carnival challengers were put through their paces at Sandown racecourse on Monday.
Fantastic Love, Fight Your Corner and Razkalla pleased connections when working separately over six furlongs on grass at the track, where they have been based since arriving in Australia on October 1.
Godolphin’s website, www.godolphin.com report the trio took the flight well and have settled in without problems.
Fight Your Corner, with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, and Razkalla (no jockey booked yet) are on course for Saturday’s Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup, on Saturday.
All three are entered in the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 1.
