QIPCO British Champions Day looking a cracker as stable stars remain in contention
Highland Reel is one of a number of top-class thoroughbreds still in contention for Champions Day
THIS year's Flat stars all stand their ground following the latest forfeit stage for QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21.
A total of £4.3 million in prize-money will be up for grabs on Britain's richest raceday and there are 35 individual Group 1 winners entered across the card.
Ante-post favourite Cracksman is one of 26 horses to stand their ground for the Qipco Champion Stakes.
John Gosden's Great Voltigeur and Prix Niel winner sidestepped the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which was won by stablemate Enable.
Barney Roy, Highland Reel, Winter, Decorated Knight and Poet's Word are also in contention.
Winter is also one of 29 horses in the QEII, a list that is headlined by Richard Fahey's stable star Ribchester.
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His opponents could include Churchill, Barney Roy and Al Wukair - the first three home in this year's 2,000 Guineas.
Andrew Balding is set to saddle last week's fast-improving Joel Stakes winner Beat The Bank, as well as Here Comes When.
"Beat The Bank is an intended runner. Here Comes When is in good form and goes straight to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes," said Balding.
"We were thinking of running him (Here Comes When) in Italy (after Goodwood), but decided we were best keeping him fresh for Champions Day."
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Harry Angel is rated the best sprinter in the world on official ratings and heads a field of 25 horses going forward for the Qipco British Champions Sprint.
The four other top-level scorers in the field are Caravaggio, Karl Burke's Quiet Reflection, James Fanshawe's The Tin Man, who won this race 12 months ago, and Henry Candy's Limato.
Big Orange and Order Of St George fought out an epic battle for the Gold Cup in June and could clash again in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.
Other hopefuls among 31 horses still in the mix include Gosden's Goodwood Cup winner Stradivarius, and David Elsworth's Desert Skyline.
"He's come out of his win at Doncaster fine and we are looking forward to running him on Champions Day," said Elsworth.
Last year's winner Sheikhzayedroad is set to defend his title for David Simcock.
Winter is also one of 19 possible runners in the Fillies & Mares along with her stablemate Rhododendron, last year's winner Journey and her stable companion Coronet.
Balding's Horseplay was fourth behind Enable in the Oaks at Epsom in June, but has not been seen in competitive action since July.
Balding said: "She had a setback, but at the moment we are in good shape to try to make it to Champions Day with her.
"Her Oaks run looks pretty good now and she handles cut in the ground, if it comes up like that on the day."