Raymond said, “We've hopefully got Tom Marquand booked. William [Haggas] has Jon and Julia Aisbitt's horse [Tiber Flow (Ire) (Caravaggio)] in the race. He may run that, but he might just let Tom off to ride ours.

“Tom is very keen to ride ours and we're 95% certain we've got him.”

Raymond added of the Richard Fahey trainee's most recent effort, “Richard said he'd got a bit sore–not jarred up–just a bit sore.

“Hopefully the weather will break before the weekend, as he could do with softish ground. You never know this time of year. If it came soft, I would be favouring him a lot. Not just because it is Ascot, but because he is fresher than most.

“He is still a 3-year-old, but he is a mature 3-year-old. I've seen him working and he's good and fresh and he's in top shape.”

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“He did a bit of work with me last week with Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who runs in the Arc, and then he did a bit of work with Michael and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) two days ago,” said Hills, speaking from Newmarket. “We're all on target and he's in good form. We're all happy.”

Baaeed kicked off his 4-year-old season with a victory May 14 in the G1 Al Shaqab Longines S., and added the June 14 G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot on June 14. He added the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood in July and was last seen devastating the G1 Juddmonte International S. by 6 1/2 lengths over Sunday's Arc entry Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) on Aug. 17.

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More information on the series can be found on the official World Pool website.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 86 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Heavyweights Go Head-to-Head in QIPCO Champion Stakes

Ten runners have been declared for a thrilling renewal of the 1 ¼-mile QIPCO Champion Stakes headed by multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff (IRE) and Cazoo Derby (G1) hero Adayar (IRE).

The John & Thady Gosden trained Mishriff, owned by Prince A A Faisal, was last seen winning the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York on Aug. 18, a “Win and You're In” for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). It was the 4-year-old's first domestic Group 1 success after winning the Saudi Cup (G1) and Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) earlier this year.

Connections will be hoping the son of Make Believe (GB) can reverse recent form with Godolphin's Adayar. The former coming out on top in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) on Jul. 24 to secure his automatic position in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, with Mishriff 1 ¾-lenghts behind in second.

Adayar returns to the track after finishing fourth in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp last time out. The 3-year-old pleased connections with his work at home, encouraging Charlie Appleby to target a third Group 1 success with the son of Frankel (GB) this season.

Appleby said: “Adayar pleased us yesterday (Wednesday) in an easy piece of work and showed his well-being. He ticked all the boxes and had all his checks. After discussions with the team the intention is to run him at Ascot.

“We are looking forward to meeting Mishriff as he's the one we have to beat over a mile and a quarter, which is a trip we will be exploring next year as well.”

Adayar's participation could also prove pivotal to Godolphin stable jockey William Buick, who is bidding to win the British Flat Jockey's Championship for the first time. Buick is currently neck and neck with Oisin Murphy, with the Championship coming to an end at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.

Trainer William Haggas saddles three in the race, including defending QIPCO Champion Stakes champion Addeybb (IRE). Second in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown on July 3, with Mishriff back in third, the 7-year-old gelding returns to Ascot. He is joined by stablemates Al Aasy (IRE) and Dubai Honour (IRE), who was supplemented for US$102,000. Other notable runners include Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) fifth Sealiway (FR) and Belmont Derby (G1) winner Bolshoi Ballet (IRE).

Palace Pier Aiming for More Group 1 Glory in QEII

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum' s Palace Pier (GB) and Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) are set to clash in the 1-mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) (G1).

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Palace Pier has been beaten only once in his career, when third behind The Revenant (GB) in this race last year. The son of Kingman (GB) was back to his brilliant best this season, winning the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury, the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (G1) at Deauville. The two latter victories securing his “Win And You're In” place in the Breeders' Cup FanDuel Mile.

Baaeed, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Jim Crowley, is unbeaten. The 3-year-old son of Sea The Stars (IRE) has won each of his five starts comfortably, starting his season in maiden company to winning the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) at ParisLongchamp in his last start.

His trainer William Haggas said: “He's extraordinary. I've been enormously impressed with what he's done in such a short space of time, but he has a big task in front of him. It's a hell of a race – probably the best mile race of the season. I don't want to undermine the horses that finished behind him at Longchamp, but I'm sure we didn't see him at his best. You'll see the best of him on Saturday.”

They are joined by the Andrew Balding-trained Alcohol Free (IRE), who was last seen at York finishing sixth in the Juddmonte International (G1), and QIPCO 1000 Guineas (G1) heroine Mother Earth (IRE), trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Other notable runners include Godolphin's Master of The Seas (IRE) and last year's winner The Revenant (GB).

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners to start in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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Saturday's special broadcast of Great Britain's richest race day will air on FS2 from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Eastern, and feature four classic Group 1 turf races, headlined by the £1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II, sponsored by QIPCO, and the £1.2 million QIPCO Champion.

Post time for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II, sponsored by QIPCO, for 3-year-olds and up going 1 mile set will be 10:10 a.m.; with the Group 1 QIPCO Champion for 3-year-olds and up at 10 furlongs set for 10:50 a.m.

Coverage will include two other Group 1 races, the £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs at 9 a.m.; and the £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/2 miles (1 mile and 4 furlongs) scheduled for 9:35 a.m.

Two additional turf races will also be featured – the Group 2, £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup for 3-year-olds and up going 2 miles, which has a post time of 8:25 a.m.; and the broadcast's final race, the £200,000 Balmoral Handicap, sponsored by QIPCO, for 3-year-olds and up at 1 mile. Post time for the Balmoral Handicap is 11:30 a.m.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Park, and the best way to bet every race of the meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Addeybb is set to face stellar opposition, with Cazoo Derby and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes winner Adayar still a possible runner, alongside Juddmonte International winner Mishriff and the winners of many more of the world's top middle-distance races.

William Haggas, who also plans to run the talented but frustrating Al Aasy and the supplemented three-year-old Dubai Honour, reports the popular 7-year-old “in as good shape as we could possibly have him”. If successful he would become the Champion Stakes' oldest winner since 1887, when Bendigo won a Newmarket running of the race at the same age.

Addeybb, who was also second to Magical two years ago, is among 14 possibles for the race, 10 of whom are already winners at Group 1 level.

Haggas said: “We are very pleased with Addeybb's condition. We'd like rain for him, and the more the better, but it doesn't look as if we are going to get it. I'd be surprised if it was quick ground though, as it was so wet there at the last meeting, and he'll run.

“I'd have loved him to have had a run, as it's a top, top race, but he goes well fresh and he can win off a lay-off. His last two weeks have been really good.”

He added: “Dubai Honour is a nice young horse who has won two Group 2s. He's doing very well physically and he's a pretty useful horse. This will be a big rise in class for him but we've got nothing to lose. I'm running Al Aasy too, and he's not without hope, dropping back in trip. Everyone questions him bar me, but he's a very, very talented horse.''

Mishriff was down the field 12 months ago but has had a massive year, taking his earnings past the £11m mark with wins in the Saudi Cup, the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Juddmonte International as well as places behind St Mark's Basilica in the Coral-Eclipse and Adayar in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes.

John Gosden, who is now in partnership with son Thady and is looking to add to his two runaway wins with Cracksman, has freshened Mishriff up since his stunning six-length defeat of Alenquer and Love in the Juddmonte International at York and is pleased to see the ground drying up.

Gosden said: “We've been happy with Mishriff since York and we are looking forward to running him again. It's always one race at a time, but we wanted to space his races in case we go on to run later in the year, possibly at the Breeders' Cup.

“It looks like being a good race and we should get better ground than last year, when he really didn't like it. He can handle soft, but last year it became specialists' ground. Full marks to all of the winners that day, but it's hard to quicken on that stuff.”

A decision upon the participation of Adayar is unlikely to be made until later in the week, but the Charlie Appleby-trained Qatar Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe fourth would be a fascinating contender for Godolphin, who were last successful with Farhh in 2013. Only Sir Ivor (1968) and New Approach (2008) have won both the Derby and the Champion Stakes in more than 50 years.

Aidan O'Brien, who won with Magical two years ago, can choose between two outstanding fillies in Love and Snowfall, both of whom are dual Classic winners, but they have also been confirmed for the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. O'Brien has also confirmed his Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes winner Bolshoi Ballet.

Other possibles include the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney and the high-class French three-year-old Sealiway, who was one place behind Adayar in the Arc, having won a Group 1 on the same weekend 12 months previously, plus Qatar Nassau Stakes winner Lady Bowthorpe, who has also been confirmed for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO).

Full Entries

• Addeybb (IRE)
• Al Aasy (IRE)
• Euchen Glen (GB)
• Helvic Dream (IRE)
• Mishriff (IRE)
• Lady Bowthorpe (GB)
• Love (IRE)
• Adayar (IRE)
• Bolshoi Ballet (IRE)
• Dubai Honour (IRE)
• Foxes Tales (IRE)
• Mac Swiney (IRE)
• Sealiway (FR)
• Snowfall (JPN)

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“The Breeders' Cup is one of the most famous race meetings in the world, and to have the QIPCO Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as 'Win and You're In' races on QIPCO British Champions Day will only help to evolve the prestige of the day,” said Chairman of Qatar Racing, Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani. “Qatar Racing is also delighted to be sponsoring the Breeders' Cup Sprint as we continue to raise the profile of Qatar Racing as an international brand and off the back of our growing success in America with the likes of Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) winning the [GI Kentucky] Oaks last year.”

“This exciting partnership reinforces our shared commitment with Qatar Racing to promote the best Thoroughbred racing in the world to new and growing audiences,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup President and CEO. “Qatar Racing is guided by a deep passion for Thoroughbred racing, making them an excellent partner in our efforts to continuously elevate the prestigious status of the World Championships to audiences across the globe.”

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There are highlights at every turn, as befits Britain's most valuable raceday, which this year offers prize money of £4,091,250 (US$4,726,641), up 61 percent on last year's totals. The QIPCO Champion Stakes is set to be the richest race in the UK this year with £1.2 million (US$1.39 million) in prize money, with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) also run for in excess of £1 million (US$1.16 million).

In total, 26 Group 1 winners remain engaged and between them they have won 56 races at the highest level. Eight Classic winners remain in contention to run – including three of this year's British Classic winners in Mother Earth, Snowfall and Adayar.

It could be a momentous afternoon for John Gosden, now training in partnership with his son Thady, as he is set to saddle five leading contenders in six races – Stradivarius (QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup), Free Wind (QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares), Palace Pier (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO)), Mishriff (QIPCO Champion Stakes) and Sunray Major, favorite for the Balmoral Handicap. The Champion Trainer will be seeking to add to his haul of eight winners on QIPCO British Champions Day – the same tally as Aidan O'Brien.

“QIPCO British Champions Day has become the definitive season-ending meeting. It's wonderfully sponsored and a great event, with Group 1s from six furlongs to a mile and a half, as well as a very valuable Group 2 for stayers, but I think what's most interesting to me is that it attracts a much younger crowd,” Gosden said.

“I've said this before, but it's very noticeable as you go through the grandstand that a lot of them are in their teens, twenties and thirties, and that's so important to our business if we are not going to wind up irrelevant. Ascot has a different feel on QIPCO British Champions Day, and that's a great positive. The more we can encourage it the better.”

William Haggas, who won last year's QIPCO Champion Stakes with Addeybb, is another big fan of the meeting. He said: “QIPCO British Champions Day is a huge and momentous occasion. It's the culmination of a long season in Britain. Everyone wants to win there.”

The going at Ascot is currently Good to Soft, Soft in places on the straight course, and Soft, Good to Soft places on the round course. The latest Going Stick readings were 7.7 (straight) and 5.4 (round).

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“The ground wasn't soft enough for Addeybb this weekend but he needs a run, so we've put him in at Goodwood on Wednesday,” said trainer William Haggas. “He'll almost nearly have to run there, but I didn't want to flog him up to Ayr when the forecast I saw said the rain, which they thought was coming on Friday, has dissipated now. It's a shame, but Goodwood will be fine, hopefully. They are due some rain at the weekend and I'm hoping they get plenty.”

Haggas also issued an update on Shadwell's unbeaten star 3-year-old Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who won the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on Sept. 5.

“Baaeed is in good shape and aiming for the QEII,” said Haggas. “We're planning to run at Ascot, but if it's bottomless we may have to think again. He's been fine since the race and I think that race will have done him good and I'm happy with him.”

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“Going up to a mile and a quarter was always going to be a punt,” said trainer Andrew Balding. “She looked like she had come there and was only going to be beaten a couple of lengths into second. Having looked like she was going to get placed, she didn't quite get home over the last 100 yards, but we have learned something from it. She was fine this morning. She will have a little holiday now as she has been busy enough. She is entered in the [G1] Sun Chariot, but the plan is to come back and have a go at the Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on Champions Day.”

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