Eminent camp keen to work back from Champion Stakes

All roads lead to the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October for Craven Stakes winner Eminent, who could travel to Deauville next month in preparation for the Group 1 highlight of British Champions Day.

Having returned to action this season with a bang in the Craven Stakes, Eminent has since finished sixth in the 2,000 Guineas, fourth in the Derby and fifth in the Coral-Eclipse on his latest start.

Despite those defeats, connections again warned not to write off the son of Frankel just yet, convinced an elusive Group 1 is within his capabilities.

“He’s come out of the Eclipse fine,” said Freddie Meade, assistant and son of Eminent’s trainer Martyn Meade. “We keep saying it hasn’t gone our way yet but I do think there's a big one in him. The Derby form shows that.”

There was no shortage of incident in the Eclipse 12 days ago, including Eminent appearing to take a bite at rival Decorated Knight in the home straight, an action Meade jnr put down to the horse merely standing up for himself in a rough race.

He added: “It was a messy race from start to finish and there were a few hard-luck stories. He had some puncture wounds up his leg and had been trampled on, so just thought I’ll move this one out of the way!”

Mapping out plans, Meade said: “He’ll have a break now and there are a few options; hopefully we’ll bring him back in a month.

"Possibly for the Juddmonte International but there’s also a Group 2 in Deauville [Prix Guillaume d'Ornano – Haras du Logis Saint-Germai] in August, with the end goal probably the Champion Stakes in October.”