Over heads Champion field Twice Over will face 10 rivals when he defends his crown in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. Henry Cecil's five-year-old was a narrow winner of the 10-furlong contest last year and has enjoyed further Group One glory this season by claiming the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. He looks certain to face another stern test with Gitano Hernando returning to the highest level following a comeback victory at Dundalk, although dual Classic winner Snow Fairy is a notable absentee. Trainer Ed Dunlop is now eyeing up the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto on November 14th. "Snow Fairy is in great shape, but this year's Champion looks a strong renewal and will be very competitive," the trainer told his website www.edunlop.com. "It would not be right going to Japan on the back of a hard race. "With the bonus that the JRA are offering, we could pick up just short of £1.4m if Snow Fairy happens to win - they also double the prize money if she finishes second or third - and we want her to be at her peak when she arrives out there, so we have decided to give Newmarket a miss." Vision D'Etat and Fuisse are two interesting challengers from France, while Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Poet's Voice was supplemented on Monday and is due to tackle a mile and a quarter for the first time. John Gosden saddles Arlington Million winner Debussy, as well as Alwaary. Wigmore Hall, Glass Harmonium, Sri Putra and Aidan O'Brien's Await The Dawn complete the stellar line-up.
