Are there chinks in the armour? Richard Birch analyses the task facing Baaeed

The brilliant Baaeed could start as short as 1-5 for the Qipco Champion Stakes as he bids to end an extraordinary career with an 11th win from 11 starts.

But are there any chinks in his armour? Here are the key factors which will determine whether he emulates the immortal Frankel by retiring to stud unbeaten.

Trip

The first nine of Baaeed's wins were recorded at a mile, but he produced a career-best performance by some considerable way when stepped up to 1m2½f in York's Juddmonte International, annihilating three-time Group 1 winner Mishriff by six and a half lengths.

Baaeed possesses the most wonderful combination of speed and stamina. Connections briefly considered sending him to Longchamp for the Arc over 1m4f, but it's almost certain he will be running over his best trip of 1m2f at Ascot.

Pace

Baaeed is the perfect racehorse. He settles beautifully, never wasting any energy during the early or middle stages of a race. All his energy is transmitted through his hooves.

He is always held up as he possesses push-button acceleration and it doesn't seem to bother him whether the early fractions are pedestrian or lightning-fast.

Stablemate My Prospero made all at Saint-Cloud in July, while Stone Age has also adopted front-running tactics in the past. A crawl into Swinley Bottom looks highly unlikely.

Opposition

There is an old racing adage that Group 1 races are never easy to win. That said, Baaeed simply towers above his eight rivals on official ratings.

He is 8lb superior to Adayar on a mark of 135 – Frankel reached 140 – and a whopping 15lb clear of third-best Bay Bridge.

Adayar merits the utmost respect as a Derby winner, but he beat Mishriff by only a length and three-quarters in last year’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Baaeed barely came off the bridle to confirm himself simply in a different league to Mishriff at York.

Ground and track

Baaeed has won four times on ground officially described as good to soft, including the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Ascot's straight course 12 months ago.

Underfoot conditions may be deeper this time, but it's pertinent to note that this race has been a stated major target from the beginning of the year.

Soft ground often prevails at this meeting so it's unlikely connections believe Baaeed won't cope.

Twice a winner on Ascot's straight course, Baaeed has won several times round a turning track. He should relish his first experience of the Berkshire round course from the inside draw.

Stable form

Up until the start of Friday's racing, William Haggas had won with five of his last seven runners. The championship-chasing stable continues in magnificent form.

Any negatives?

Horses can suddenly go over the top at this late stage of the season. However, Baaeed hasn't been given an arduous campaign. He reappeared in the middle of May at Newbury, and has raced just three times since.

Getting Baaeed to stud unbeaten has clearly been at the forefront of connections' minds throughout this year. If Haggas had any fears about his ability to produce his best, he simply wouldn't be running him.

Champions Day previews:

1.25 Ascot: Can Trueshan recapture his best in a stellar running of the Long Distance Cup?

2.00 Ascot: 'He’s the one they’ve got to beat' - Appleby confident as top sprinters clash

2.40 Ascot: Can Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn bounce back from King George flop?

3.20 Ascot: 'The small field makes it trappier' - John Gosden on hot QEII favourite Inspiral

4.00 Ascot: Will it be 11 and out or can anyone spoil 'incredible' Baaeed's retirement party?

4.40 Ascot: 'He leads Baaeed every day'- who has had the ideal Balmoral prep?

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