Almanzor could defend his QIPCO Champion Stakes title at Ascot racecourse on Champions Day in October
Almanzor has not been seen yet this season and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget will have more of an idea of his targets after his run in the Prix Gontaut-Biron next week
LAST year's winner Almanzor could attempt to defend his crown in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Jean-Claude Rouget's colt was brilliant last year but he has suffered a couple of setbacks and is due to make his seasonal reappearance in the next week.
"I have yet to make any decisions, and we will know more after Almanzor's comeback race on August 15 in the Prix Gontaut-Biron," the trainer said.
"He satisfied me when working last Tuesday and although he won't be 100% fit, I'm hopeful of a good performance."
Other Champion Stakes contenders include Almanzor's fellow French-trained colt Zarak, John Gosden's Enable and Coral-Eclipse one-two Ulysses and Barney Roy.
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Barney Roy's trainer, Richard Hannon, said: "Barney Roy has been entered in both the Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Champions Day is a target for him.
"I'm not sure which race he goes for, it really depends how his next race goes."
No trainer has more entries on Champions Day than Aidan O'Brien.
The Ballydoyle handler's contenders for the 10-furlong showpiece include Winter, Churchill and Highland Reel.
QIPCO British Champions Day
- The winners of 83 Group 1s and 16 European Classics hold entries for QIPCO British Champions Day where the horses will comepte for a record-breaking £4.26 million in prize money
- Europe’s top 10 horses all entered for Britain’s richest raceday, including top rated horse in Europe, Enable
- 30 French entries, including winners of the French Derby and French Oaks
- Celebrate the end of the Flat season in style and party the night away with a headline act which saw Sigala bring the curtain down on the finale last year
- Tickets can be purchased
"It's a brilliant meeting, but it's tough, it's very competitive," said O'Brien.
"All of the good horses from the whole year are lining up, so we know it's always going to be tough."
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