VIDEO: Ryan Moore and Pat Smullen ride the Champions Stakes

Leading jockeys Ryan Moore and Pat Smullen have said the newly-demarcated course for the QIPCO Champion Stakes “rides beautifully” having taken part in a course ride ahead of the £1.3million contest at QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday 15^th October.

The pair were riding the inner flat course which is the intended track for the Champions Day showpiece in less than 2 weeks’ time.

Moore, fresh from winning the Sun Chariot Stakes on Alice Springs and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Found at the weekend, said afterwards: “We both thought it rode very well. There is no great difference to the other track, you’d have no issue going round there at all. The track is in really good condition, it’s a bit quick at the moment, but there is a beautiful layout and there won’t be any problem.”

“The track hasn’t been ridden since April but there is a beautiful cover of grass and it rides very well.”

Smullen, who won last year’s race on Fascinating Rock, added: “The alignment is perfect. It rode beautifully and it was quite quick today but you’d have no issues in riding around there.”

Chris Stickels, Clerk of the Course for Ascot added, “We were very happy with the condition of the track beforehand and were really pleased with the feedback from both jockeys following the course ride. Following 10mm of rain over the weekend the going on the inner flat course is good to firm, firm in places.”

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Following the latest forfeit stage 28 horses remain engaged for the QIPCO Champion Stakes including Almanzor; defending champion, Fascinating Rock; QIPCO Guineas and Investec Oaks winner, Minding; Coral-Eclipse winner, Hawkbill and this weekend’s Arc-heroine, Found.