City aiming for Champion lead

Jamie Spencer will attempt to help trainer Brian Meehan and owner David Sullivan land a second Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

David Junior carried the silks of Sullivan’s Roldvale company to victory three years ago and they recently bought a share of City Leader, who is still also part-owned by the Sangster Family.

Last year’s Racing Post Trophy runner-up has endured a few near-misses this season too, getting close to two of his likely rivals, Twice Over and Russian Cross, in the Prix Eugene Adam and Prix Guillaume d’Ornano respectively.

He was back in France again last time with a fourth-placed finish to the smart Vision D’Etat in the Prix Niel at Longchamp.

“The plan is to run and Jamie went over to Brian’s last week to sit on the horse,” said Eamonn Connolly, racing manager to Sullivan.

“The ground has been far too quick for him a couple of times this season and he has also had bad luck in running in France.

“Jamie will ride him if we run, and hopefully he will unless the ground is rock hard.

We’re also really looking forward to him running as a four-year-old.“