Champion Stakes: the runners, the odds and the Spotlight verdict

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1 Addeybb

Second in this race last year on soft, but this is a stronger renewal.

Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Draw: 11
Odds: 8-1

2 Desert Encounter

Seen much less often at 1m2f these days and does most of his running over further. Unlikely to improve on his fifth in this in 2017.

Trainer: David Simcock
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Draw: 8
Odds: 66-1

3 Extra Elusive

1m2f Group 3 wins at Haydock (from the front) and Windsor (on soft) in August. Looks up against it in today's company.

Trainer: Roger Charlton
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Draw: 3
Odds: 66-1

4 Japan

Had an excellent three-year-old season, but showed his form only once (second start) from four starts this term.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Colin Keane
Draw: 2
Odds: 14-1

5 Lord North

Leading contender if returning to his peak form and that was registered over over the same course and distance at Royal Ascot.

Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: James Doyle
Draw: 7
Odds: 13-2

Lord North won over the Champion Stakes course and distance in the Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Julian Finney (Getty Images)

6 San Donato

Upped to 1m2f in Ayr Listed race last time, travelling best before ending up three lengths behind Addeybb. Doubtful stayer.

Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Draw: 10
Odds: 80-1

7 Skalleti

Prolific winner at lower levels. Although this is his first crack at a Group 1, he is one to take very seriously.

Trainer: Jerome Reynier
Jockey: Pierre-Charles Boudot
Draw: 1
Odds: 10-1

8 Magical

Popular mare who is the winner of seven Group 1s, including this race on soft ground last year. She looks sure to be bang there.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Draw: 6
Odds: 7-4

9 Mishriff

Has won his last three starts and there is a chance he could still do better. He is high on the list.

Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Draw: 9
Odds: 11-4

10 Pyledriver

Finished third in the St Leger and so 1m2f is an ambitious move, but he's been seriously underestimated twice at 1m4f this season.

Trainer: William Muir
Jockey: Martin Dwyer
Draw: 4
Odds: 14-1

11 Serpentine

Exactly how much he was flattered by his front-running Derby win has not been proved, although he has run only once since.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: William Buick
Draw: 5
Odds: 16-1

The verdict

French raider Skalleti has looked strong Group 1 material when delivered late in the day to take his 1m2f Group races in the mud. He can make the step up.
Richard Austen

View the Champion Stakes card here

Read more Champions Day stories here:

Star stayer Stradivarius gets go-ahead for Champions Day mission on Saturday

The Champions Day 'banker' who has the stats all against him

Who will win the Champion Stakes based on previous trends?

Champion Stakes the target for 'amazing' Magical with O'Brien set to run three

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