Approach leads Champion charge

Derby winner New Approach will face 10 rivals as he bids to land a third Group One of the season in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Jim Bolger’s colt landed the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on his latest start and was also runner-up to Henrythenavigator in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas.

The only entry not to take his place in the field from the five-day stage is the Khalid Abdullah-owned Famous Name, with Henry Cecil’s Twice Over running instead.

Twice Over beat Raven’s Pass in the Craven back in April before coming up short in the Dante at York.

He endured a troublesome run in France on his last start behind Andre Fabre’s Russian Cross, who was supplemented for this race earlier in the week.

Pipedreamer, placed in numerous big races already this term, will attempt to break his Group One duck for John Gosden and new pilot Frankie Dettori.

Gosden also sends Upton Grey but as he runs in the colours of Princess Haya along with New Approach, he is expected to make the pace for the favourite.

Sir Michael Stoute relies on Linngari, who has been campaigned in Germany and Turkey on his last two starts and he will be attempting to give Ryan Moore his first Group One winner in Britain this season.

Traffic Guard got within half a length of providing Jane Chapple-Hyam with the biggest win of her career behind New Approach last time and bids to go one better.

Criquette Head-Maarek runs Full Of Gold while Brian Meehan’s City Leader, Aidan O’Brien’s Hebridean, a 14-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle with Stan James, and Walter Swinburn’s Staying On have also been declared.