Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori© Photo Healy Racing
Stradivarius will face nine rivals as he bids to extend his winning run to 11 in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Saturday.
John Gosden’s top-notch stayer has been in a league of his own since he last tasted defeat in this race two years ago.
He won this contest 12 months ago and is set to go again, as long as trainer John Gosden is happy with track conditions when he walks the course on Saturday.
Gosden has a second string to his bow in September Stakes scorer Royal Line while Bin Battuta, Cleonte, Mekong and Withhold complete the home contingent, in a race that is live on Sky Sports Racing.
Aidan O’Brien is staging a three-pronged assault with Capri, Kew Gardens and South Pacific while Max Dynamite, trained by Willie Mullins, completes the field.
Dee Ex Bee, runner-up to Stradivarius three times this season, was one of the four withdrawals at the 48-hour final declaration stage along with Pilaster, Delphinia and South Sea Pearl.
