Oratorio Bids To Complete Group 1 Hat-Trick

ORATORIO will complete a prestigious Group 1 three-timer if he can land the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, worth £433,200, at Newmarket today. The three-year-old Danehill colt has proved a revelation since being switched to a mile and a quarter.

He defeated this year´s Vodafone Derby winner Motivator in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July and then followed up last month when taking the Irish Champion Stakes in thrilling fashion.

Now Aidan O´Brien´s charge will bid for a hat-trick, lining up for the Champions´ Day showpiece, for which he has been installed as the 11-4 favourite. If Oratorio can triumph, he would provide O´Brien with his first Champion Stakes success.

Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute will be triple-handed in pursuit of a third victory in the race. Both Pilsudski (1997) and Kalanisi (2000) have been on target for him in the past and he will be represented by Maraahel, Chic and Rob Roy today.

The last-named of the trio comes here off the back of an impressive win in the Rolls Royce Motor Cars London Joel Stakes over a mile but this engagement sees him tackling 10 furlongs for the first time.

High-class filly Alexander Goldrun will be seeking to restore her reputation after getting turned over as the odds-on favourite in the Prix De L´Opera at Longchamp two weeks ago.

Connections will be hoping the four-year-old can recapture the form that saw her scorch to glory in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Trainer Jim Bolger said today: 'She´s very well. She was a little bit quiet (after the Prix De L´Opera) but has picked up well in the last week.

'I would be optimistic that she would run a good race. If we get good ground we would be happy.'

Alkaased will reoppose the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Pride, his conqueror in the Prix Foy at Longchamp a month ago.

There are three other French raiders, Touch Of Land, Prospect Park and Pinson, the last of whom will line up off the back of four straight victories.

Rakti´s participation is still in the balance with his trainer Michael Jarvis stating this morning that he has yet to speak to owner Gary Tanaka.

Godolphin send two in the shape of Echo Of Light and Layman, while the 15-runner field is completed by David Junior, successful over course and distance in a Listed race back in May, and the Barry Hills-trained Whazzat.

Charlie Hills, assistant to his father, said: 'She would appear to be a rank outsider. She was a long time off the track and ran very fresh (at Haydock on her seasonal return last month) and got tired in the last two furlongs.

'She´s had her problems but seems to be moving well now and we feel we´ve got nothing to lose by running her. Her breeding suggests the trip would suit her.'