Ruby Walsh: Champions Day or ducking D-Day?

Frankie Dettori, who will have the support of a number of old allies when he bids for a memorable farewell on Qipco British Champions Day. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

British Champions Day has rolled around again with its prodigious title and all the same issues it has carried since its inception, the biggest one being the belief that Britain needed such a day to round up the season. To have the day this title bills it to be, you need the best racehorses.

In Flat racing, to make it a champions day when you are in Europe, that means the best Ireland and France have to offer, along with some German participants. You are aiming for championship fare, and the billing requires fields to match.