Emotionless fizzes in Champagne Stakes Emotionless was promoted to favourite for next year's Qipco 2000 Guineas after a scintillating performance in the At The Races Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Trainer Charlie Appleby has always thought the world of the imposing Shamardal colt and after maintaining his unbeaten record the rest of the racing world can now see just why. Having won on his debut at Newmarket by three and a half lengths he went into many notebooks, especially when the second, third and fifth came out and franked the form. Ahead of the Group Two on Town Moor the punters saw it as a two-horse race with Charlie Hills' Ibn Malik, second in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, the only credible opposition to the market leader. But the confidence behind Emotionless (8-13) was infectious and William Buick was looking around for non-existent dangers two furlongs out before he asked him to stretch three and a half lengths ahead of Ibn Malik, with the pair seven lengths clear of the third. Paddy Power immediately went 6-1 from 20s for the Classic but some firms did go double figures before mostly falling in line. Ladbrokes' 8-1 is the biggest available. It may all change on Sunday when the previous favourite Air Force Blue runs in the National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. "It's nice to have an exciting horse on our hands and that's what it looks like at present," said Appleby. "The Dewhurst is the logical step. We'll keep to seven furlongs for now. "I'm pleased he handled the conditions as we're into autumn now and it's not likely to get much better than today. "He's the best two-year-old I've trained. I've had some smart ones, but they have all been proper two-year-old types - he has plenty of scope for next year, too. "There's no reason in time why he won't get 10 furlongs as there is stamina on his dam's side, but for now we'll be looking at keeping him at seven, there's no need to go further as he has plenty of speed." Buick added: "He's the real deal, he's got everything. I was really, really impressed by him."
