The English Champion Stakes tends to be overlooked in favour of the Breeders Cups - which is to be held in two weeks. This year the best middle distance horses, with the exception of Arc winner Bago and star filly Ouija Board, meet in the ten furlong race.
The Champion Stakes forms part of an eight race card which includes seven group races and the Cesarewitch.


DOYEN: Bitterly disappointing when unplaced in the Irish Champion Stakes behind Azamour. Previously won the King George impressively from Hard Buck and subsequent International winner, Sulamani. Has been working well and looks the Godolphin pick, as Frankie rides. Doyen bids to redeem his reputation and confirm his brilliance shown in the Hardwicke and King George.

MINGUN: Superbly bred - a son of A.P. Indy and Miesque. Lightly raced, the four year old colt has ran just six times. His first start for the season was a creditable third to useful stablemate Mikado in a listed race at the Curragh. Mikado ran fifth in the English St Leger and is a cut below top class. Mingun has run just once in Group One company when fourth to the mighty Falbrav in last year's Juddmonte International. Ballydoyle have enjoyed more success in recent weeks - with Group One wins by Oratorio and Ad Valorem.

NAHEEF: The pacemaker for Godolphin. An outsider for the race, to be ridden by Ted Durcan. The son of Marju was fifth to Alkaadhem in a listed race at Goodwood last time out.

NORSE DANCER: The bridesmaid in racing. Touched off by half a length by Azamour in the Irish Champion Stakes. Previously narrowly defeated Lucky Story in the Sovereign Stakes before running unplaced in QE11 Stakes behind Rakti and Lucky Story at his last start. David Elsworth trains the colt, who will be ridden by John Egan. A highly talented sort, Norse Dancer has had a vigorous campaign and his poor last run makes it hard to know whether he will produce his best form.

REFUSE TO BEND: Last year's English 2000 Guineas winner has been a revelation at four. Disappointing in his first two starts for Godolphin, the handsome colt bounced back to win the Queen Anne Stakes - from subsequent multiple Group One winner Soviet Song. He then won the Eclipse Stakes by a head from dual Coronation Cup winner, Warrsan. He was unplaced in the Sussex Stakes and ran third at his last start to Rakti and Lucky Story. A strong second string for the all conquering Godolphin. This will be the swan song for the son of Sadler's Wells - he retires to Kildangan Stud next year.

SALSELON: Threw away victory last time out when stopping late under Frankie Dettori, allowing Polar Ben to swoop past him. A talented entire, he has not won in over a year despite showing good form for new trainer, Luca Cumani. Ran well in the Queen Anne and Lockinge-behind retired Russian Rhythm- but has been beaten by horses since not considered Group One caliber. The moody son of Salse will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

CHORIST: High class mare who has improved with age. The daughter of Pivotal was third in a Group Two race at Deauville to smart filly Whortleberry. Previously she won the now Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh - over subsequent Group One winner Alexander Goldrun. Chorist then ran third to Favourable Terms - who has not been seen out since. Trained by William Haggas for Cheveley Park- the five year old mare will be ridden by Kieran Fallon. The latter is fighting a desperate battle with Dettori for the jockeys title.

AZAMOUR: The three year old missed the Juddmonte International after concerns over the ground but was an impressive winner of the Irish Champion Stakes over Norse Dancer and demoted Arlington Million winner Powerscourt, with subsequent Group One winner Rakti further back.
Won four of six starts to date including the St James Palace Stakes over Antonius Pius and Diamond Green. The colt, a son of Night Shift, is trained by John Oxx- whose star Alamshar was such a disappointing favourite last year. Stable jockey Michael Kinane rides. Arguably the best three year old around.

HAAFHD: Received rave reviews after a scintillating win in the 2000 Guineas over Snow Ridge and Azamour. The chestnut has been well beaten since- fourth in the St James Palace Stakes and unplaced in the Sussex Stakes. Barry Hills, who trains him, describes the son of Alhaarth as the best miler he has ever trained. Previously he won the Craven Stakes and ran third in last year's Dewhurst to Milk It Mick. Regular rider, Richard Hills rides.

LUCKY STORY: One of the top rated two year olds of last year, he was beaten half a length in the QE11 behind Rakti last time out. He has run just three times this year, for a second to Norse Dancer and an unplaced run in the Prix du Moulin. An own brother to leading young sire, Dr Fong, he is trained by Mark Johnston. The colt will be ridden by Daryll Holland.

MISTER MONET: Is bidding for a fifth success win.
Been a revelation in his last two starts, when easily winning both the Rose of Lancaster Stakes and Prix Guillame D'Ornano. He beat subsequent group winner Delfos by four last time out at Deauville. Takes a step up in class. A half brother to Tarascon, he is a son of Peintre Celebre. Kevin Darley rides for Mark Johnston.

SELECTION
1. Lucky Story
2. Norse Dancer
3. Mister Monet