The main event of the day is of course the Champion Stakes and Cracksman will be a short price with ground conditions coming right for the Gosden inmate. Lots of views around the day and below are a selection of thoughts from some of the top trainers on what they think of their horses chances today.<\/p>\n
QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP<\/strong><\/p>\n News from the Gosden yard is that likely favorite Stradivarius is in great condition and the Million Pound Horse (scooped the seven-figure Weatherbys Hamilton-backed bonus) with wins in the three major stayers cup races in the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup.<\/p>\n “He is in tremendous form and I’m very happy with him,” said Gosden.<\/p>\n “He has put good condition back on. He comes in great order and we are thrilled with him.<\/p>\n “I think his win in the Gold Cup was the most satisfying moment of my year.<\/p>\n “He’s a diminutive horse and the fact he gave everything, pulled a shoe off and rammed it into his foot in the last furlong and still won was a pretty remarkable achievement.<\/p>\n However, the likely soft ground may not be ideal and Frankie Dettori is quoted as saying “I am worried about the ground”<\/p>\n We’ll have to see what happens but it is likely the horses class will see him through.<\/p>\n QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES<\/strong><\/p>\n It could be a red letter day fro trainer John Gosden as the filly Lah Ti Dar goes for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.<\/p>\n Quotes from trainer John Gosden earlier in the week seem to give an air of caution:<\/p>\n “She got the idea of what she was supposed to be doing in the last furlong at Doncaster,” said Gosden.<\/p>\n “She is still a very a big, immature filly. Frankie said he set her to sleep and he couldn’t wake her up again, but I love the way she finished.”<\/p>\n It would not be a Group 1 without mass representation from Ballydoyle and Aiden O’Brien runs six and last year’s winner Hydrangea looks the pick of his runners with Magical a nice back up after running a solid race last time in Paris for The Arc.<\/p>\n O’Brien is quoted as saying:<\/p>\n “Magical is in good form and we were very happy with her at Longchamp,” said O’Brien.<\/p>\n “She just had a bad draw in the Arc, but came out of it well and we’re looking forward to seeing her running again over a mile and a half.<\/p>\n “Hydrangea’s had a bit of a break and she seems to be in good form. It’s a while since she ran, but she seems to be in good form.<\/p>\n “She probably had a better preparation last year when she had a busier time than she did this year. She hasn’t run since the King George this year.”<\/p>\n