Cirrus and Eagle head Champion market as Gatsby ruled out

Cirrus Des Aigles (13/8) and FreeEagle (3/1) and now head the market with Paddy Power for Saturday’s Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot following the defection of Australia and the news that The Grey Gatsby won’t run despite being left in the race but will stay in training next year.

Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old has enjoyed a tremendous campaign, winning the Dante Stakes at York, the French Derby and most recently lowering the colours of Australia in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

“I’m not going to run him on heavy ground. They had 25 millimetres of rain last night and there is more forecast,” said Ryan. “He’s done everything we’ve asked of him this year. He stays in training next season, so we’ll look forward to that now.”