Dubai: He won it five years ago and now big-race jockey James Doyle attempts to clinch a second victory in the Group 1 Champion Stakes, Britain’s second richest flat race, at Ascot racecourse on Saturday.
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Doyle, who partnered Noble Mission to success in 2014, teams up with the William Haggas-trained Addeybb in this season’s renewal of the £1,3 million race, which is run over a distance of 2,000 metres.
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The Champion Stakes, first run in 1877, is only surpassed by the £1,6 million Epsom Derby (G1) in terms of prize money.
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Owned by Major General Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security, Addeybb impressed connections with a smart piece of work at Newmarket racecourse five days ago.
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“That [gallop] was important and just what he needed,” Derby-winning handler, William Haggas, told Sportinglife.
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“We ducked France and his last run was at Haydock, but he has proved he goes well fresh, even going back to his run in the Lincoln [in 2018]. He has shown he loves soft ground, so we are hoping it pours with rain.
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“He was good [when winning] at [Royal] Ascot, but when he ran at York it was not soft enough and he got in a bit of a pocket. It was really bottomless at Haydock and he won OK,” he added.
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“We’ve freshened him up and we think he’s in good shape. He is a gelding, he’s rising five and needs to start chasing some money.”
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However, Addeybb must be at his absolute best as he takes on several high-class middle-distance rivals led by leading Cartier Horse of the Year contender Magical. Haggas also saddles Move Swiftly in the Group 1 £1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
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Like Addeybb, the four-year-old filly turned in a good piece of win over seven furlongs under former jockey Michael Hills.
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“It was not a surprise she won on her comeback,” said Hills. “She is a talented filly, she has had her training issues but she loves the soft — she liked the soft ground when she won the Group Two at Ascot.
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“She is probably not up to QEII standard, but if the ground is very soft she will enjoy it.”
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Latest Odds:
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Champion Stakes (Group 1): Magicalin 9/4; Addeybb 11/4; Japan 5; Coronet 5/1; Deirdrein 11/2; Mehdaayih 14; Fox Talin 20; Hermosa 25; I Can Flyin 25; Regal Reality 25; UAE Jewel 20/1; Pondus 25/1.
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