CHAMPERS TO ICE CHARIOT RIVALS

14:45 Newmarket - Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes

CHAMPERS ELYSEES is the current market favourite and faces eleven rivals in her bid for a second Group 1 success this Saturday. The three-year-old completed her rise through the ranks when landing the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and in the process give her trainer Johnny Murtagh another Group 1 victory as a trainer. She has graduated from a Curragh handicap at the start of the season to top-level success, via Listed and Group 3 wins. She was recently bought by owner Teruya Yoshida and will be sporting his colours for the first time. Lining up at flat headquarters she is set to be partnered by top Irish jockey Colin Keane and all things point towards the continuation of her impressive winning run. Aiden O‘Brien's Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful finished a mere one and a quarter lengths behind the aforementioned Champers Elysees last time out and aims to reverse that form and looks best of the rest. Billesdon Brook aims for a repeat success after claiming this race last year under jockey Sean Levey. The duo reunite in an attempt to defend his title but she looks to have a much tougher task on her hands this time round. Sir Michael Stoute and Oisin Murphy team up with Veracious as they try their luck once again having taken the runner up spot in the race last term. She returned to action with a win at Haydock under Ryan Moore and that performance in august should put her right coming into Saturday's showpiece. Based on form alone it's hard to look anywhere else but Champers Elysees. She’s improved with each run and has already shown what it takes to become a top Group 1 filly. Unbeaten this season she looks to have that extra touch of class and although this is probably her toughest race to date she's done nothing wrong in four starts. Of the remainder the more lightly raced duo of Peaceful and Veracious seem the most likely to chase home the favourite.

written by Nathan McCann

Newmarket Selections: 13:40 Newmarket – OCEAN STAR 14:10 Newmarket – GODDESS OF FIRE