Delacroix and Ombudsman on collision course for Champions Day as Aidan O'Brien sets up end-of-season showdown at Ascot

Delacroix looks set to meet old rival Ombudsman again after Aidan O'Brien revealed one of his biggest stars would be aimed at the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot next weekend.

The brilliant three-year-old's retirement had been mooted after his electric win in last month's Irish Champion Stakes, with O'Brien and the Coolmore partners at pains to point out how important the Dubawi colt could be to the stud in his future stallion career.

However, he has been handed two options on Qipco British Champions Day and, speaking to ITV, O'Brien indicated it will be in the Champion Stakes, rather than the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in which we see Delacroix again.

The champion trainer said: "We're going to run Delacroix in the Champion Stakes. The lads [the Coolmore partners] want to do it and I'm delighted. He's been very good [at home] and if everything is well that's where we'll go.

Ombudsman (William Buick) wins the Juddmonte International from Delacroix (purple)Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"The lads wanted to race and they love racing and watching their horses run, and we're grateful and delighted about that."

Delacroix had been shorter for the QEII at a general 3-1, compared to a top-priced 6-1 for the Champion but following O'Brien's comments Delacroix was cut for the Champion, with some firms going as short as 5-2.

Ombudsman was nabbed by Delacroix late on in the Eclipse before turning the tables in a messy Juddmonte International. A third clash at Leopardstown was ruled out by Ombudsman's trainer, John Gosden, in preference for prioritising Ascot.

Godolphin's four-year-old colt is 7-4 to win the Champion, while King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Calandagan is available at 3-1. 

O'Brien also indicated Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second Minnie Hauk could spearhead his Breeders' Cup squad, while at Ascot The Lion In Winter is bound for the QEII and Stay True could be supplemented for the Long Distance Cup.

In other news on the Ascot card, last season's Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Kalpana is being considered as a runner for the defence of her crown. Trainer Andrew Balding stated at Newmarket that the four-year-old is under consideration for the race after finishing seventh in the Arc last Sunday.

Qipco Champion Stakes (4.05 Ascot, October 18)
Paddy Power: 7-4 Ombudsman, 5-2 Delacroix, 7-2 Calandagan, 6 Almaqam, 12 Almeric, 16 bar.

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