Moore back on So You Think for Champion Stakes
Aidan O’Brien’s giant Australian import could only finish fourth in the Arc, his second defeat since moving to Ballydoyle after coming up just short in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
He was ridden by Seamie Heffernan in France but Ryan Moore will be reunited with the five-year-old at the weekend.
John Gosden has declared his impressive King George winner Nathaniel, while Henry Cecil’s Twice Over, winner of the race for the past two seasons when it was run at its former home of Newmarket, will be trying to make it a hat-trick.
The six-year-old bounced back to his best to win the Juddmonte International at York, giving owner Khalid Abdullah his first win in a race he has sponsored for over 20 years.
A close second that day was stable companion Midday, and the durable mare will again be in opposition.
Ian Mongan, who rode Twice Over at York, renews partnership, with stable jockey Tom Queally staying loyal to Midday.
Ed Dunlop has decided to run Snow Fairy after her blinding effort in the Arc when she finished in front of So You Think. Dunlop has booked Olivier Peslier.
Mahmood Al Zarooni will have two representatives, the unbeaten Dubai Prince, trained by Dermot Weld last year, and Group One winner Casamento.
Frankie Dettori has plumped for the potential of Dubai Prince rather than the proven form of Casamento, who will be ridden by Richard Hughes.
Wigmore Hall put behind him a string of unlucky efforts with a win in the Northern Dancer Stakes at Woodbine and has his first run in Britain since finishing fifth in this 12 months ago.
The sole challenger from France is the consistent Cirrus Des Aigles, trained by Corrine Barande-Barbe.
Kieren Fallon will ride Green Destiny for William Haggas having won two Group Three events on his last two outings.
Charlie Hills’ Ransom Note and the Roger Varian-trained Sri Putra complete a competitive field.
Meanwhile, Frankel, who faces seven rivals at Ascot in the Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tomorrow, has been reported to be “going really well” by trainer Henry Cecil.
There were no major surprises at the final declaration stage with just two horses dropping out. Rio De La Plata’s withdrawal means Godolphin’s sole representative is last year’s winner Poet's Voice, who will bepartnered by Frankie Dettori, while the Roger Charlton-trained Cityscape also misses the race.
Among the eight remaining is Frankel’s stablemate Bullet Train
