Champion Stakes target for 'Group 1 winner in the making' Pyledriver

William Muir has lost zero faith in St Leger third Pyledriver, who will get a chance to strike at the highest level in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 17.

The three-year-old, who is owned by the La Pyle Partnership, won the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting before landing the Great Voltigeur at York in impressive fashion.

However, connections believe he was found out by the 1m6½f St Leger trip at Doncaster on Saturday.

"We took the speed away from Pyledriver by trying to get him to stay in the St Leger, but he's taken the race really well and I think we'll drop him back to a mile and a quarter for the Champion Stakes for his final run of the campaign," said Muir.

"It's a big shout dropping back in trip that far but soft ground would turn it into more of a test of stamina and he's got so many gears.

"He's already done us proud this year but he'll be a bigger, stronger, better horse as a four-year-old and I'd like to think we'll be able to travel the world with him and turn up to all the big races, the King George, the Coronation Cup, maybe even the Dubai World Cup the following year. I've no doubt he's a Group 1 winner in the making."

Pyledriver is a general 14-1 for the Champion Stakes and the Lambourn trainer added: "We rode him to win the race and just didn't get home. He's come out of it amazingly well. I wondered if it would bottom him and we wouldn't get another run this season, but he hasn't left a dust of food and is in great form."

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