One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Champions Day

Trainer

Heading into Qipco British Champions Day, Charlie Appleby is clinging on at the head of the trainers' championship standings and certainly has the ammunition to hold off William Haggas.

While Baaeed is the key Haggas hope in the Qipco Champion Stakes (4.00), Appleby is responsible for his chief challenger in Adayar. Last season's Derby winner recorded a comfortable win in a conditions race at Doncaster last month in his only start of the season.

Two of Appleby's five Qipco Champions Day hopes run in the Sprint (2.00), with Creative Force the defending champion and well fancied after two promising runs this season. William Buick chooses to ride him over Naval Crown, who beat Creative Force over the course and distance at Royal Ascot earlier this season. James Doyle is tasked with repeating that success.

Modern Games has won Group 1 races in the US, France and Canada, and looks to make an impact on home soil in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20). The improving Eternal Pearl seeks a fifth win on the trot in the Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.40).

Jockey

This season has been one of Frankie Dettori's strangest in his 35 years riding in Britain. A frustrating Royal Ascot was followed by asabbatical from his close ally the Gosdens, but all is well with the joint-trainers once again. Dettori has already won two Group 1s in October and could end the campaign on a high.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20) favourite Inspiral is the big hope of his four Ascot rides. She was sensational here in the Coronation Stakes at the royal meeting in June and has been kept fresh since winning a third Group 1 at Deauville with this target in mind.

Inspiral: superb winner of the Coronation Stakes earlier this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Emily Upjohn got within touching distance of Classic success in the Oaks in June and Dettori is back on board again in the Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.40). The fitting of a first-time hood makes things even more fascinating.

Dettori partnered Kinross to a stylish victory in the Prix de la Foret just under a fortnight ago and the pair attempt for a fourth consecutive win in the Sprint (2.00).

The jockey starts his day on Ebor winner Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup (1.25).

Horse

He is unbeaten in ten races, is a six-time Group 1 winner and rated as one of the very best of recent years – the unequivocal one to watch has to be Baaeed.

The four-year-old will look to emulate the legendary Frankel and sign off his career by retaining a flawless record with success in the Qipco Champion Stakes (4.00).

Baaeed: set for his farewell at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

In fact, his path to Ascot this season has been identical to the great Frankel ten years ago. Baaeed has looked nothing short of exceptional in his Lockinge, Queen Anne, Sussex and International Stakes victories this year, and is the one horse everyone will be packing the grandstand to see. Will we see brilliance from Baaeed one final time?

Race

While the Champion Stakes has the star attraction, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20) will be particularly poignant following the death of Britain's longest-serving monarch last month.

The mile event looks a fascinating race on paper too. Inspiral has looked sensational at her best, but she faces her toughest test to date. Globetrotter Modern Games could well develop into a top-class miler, while Jadoomi has been a huge improver this season.

Do not forget The Revenant. He is running in this race for a fourth time and won it for France two years ago.

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