Champions Series weekly digest

With the fallout from the Dubai World Cup, plus the running plans for many QIPCO British Champions Series stars starting to firm up, it’s been quite a hectic week.

Here’s a handy round-up of all the headlines from the past seven days.

Dubai World Cup

A plethora of Champions Series stars were on display out in Meydan and but for US star Arrogate breezing past all his rivals to win the main prize, the return of JACK HOBBS to the winner’s enclosure may well have been the story of the day.

He left fellow Champions Series contenders Postponed, Seventh Heaven and Highland Reel in his wake to claim his first win since September 2015 and put himself firmly in the picture for top honours this year. His trainer, John Gosden has already earmarked the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot as his first target this season.

Meanwhile, POSTPONED will aim to retain his Investec Coronation Cup with trainer Roger Varian adding: “He certainly won’t run before Epsom and we’d be very keen to get him back for the Coronation Cup again if we can. I’m sure he’ll bounce back in the summer.”

The Long Distance division will also have a new star to challenge the formidable Sheikhzayedroad and Big Orange after VAZIRABAD put them both to the sword in Meydan. His target was immediately announced as the now upgraded Group 1 Goodwood Cup, with a tilt at the Gold Cup also mentioned as a possibility.

QIPCO 2000 Guineas

With the first Classics of the weekend approaching rapidly, there have been updates on leading contenders in the both the 2000 and the 1000 Guineas this week. Aidan O’Brien saddles the two market leaders for the former and he gave an update on both CHURCHILL and CARAVAGGIO this week after they worked at Naas. O’Brien also gave an update on the wellbeing of Seventh Heaven and Highland Reel following their Dubai exploits.

In the 1000 Guineas, Charlie Appleby saddles WUHEDIA and feels that she could potentially develop in to a filly for the showpiece Investec Oaks later in the season. Appleby added: “She might not be sharp enough to go and win a Guineas, we don’t know, but we’re going to get a better assessment of her if we can see her with a true end to-end gallop going forward to the Oaks.”

Also in the news

A firm favourite within the Champions Series, SOLOW is edging closer to a return, with Royal Ascot still earmarked as the ‘perfect’ place for him to make his comeback, according to Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for owners Wertheimer Brothers: “That would be perfect, of course, and for sure it is some place in our minds, but time will tell. The horse will tell Freddy when he is ready.”

Meanwhile, RIBCHESTER will have the assistance of a pacemaker this season after Godolphin transferred Toscanini to the yard of Richard Fahey to take up the duties.

Finally, the Middle Distance division looks set to be one of the most competitive ever this season. We’ve been taking a look at some of the big hitters who are already vying for the crown, never mind the youngsters who will emerge this season.

By the same token, the Sprint division has also seen some of its biggest stars remain in training, but there are plenty of young bucks vying to be named the sprint superstar. Can Lady Aurelia and Caravaggio topple Limato and Quiet Reflection?

Main picture: Caravaggio works at Naas ahead of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. C:Racingfotos.com