John Gosden’s Cracksman could follow in the footsteps of his sire, as he hopes to take Champion Stakes glory five years on from Frankel’s fantastic finale.
Henry Cecil’s Frankel capped off an unbeaten career with 14 wins to his name in the 2012 renewal of this race, and Cracksman could become his sire’s first European Group One winner today in the same contest.
The English Derby third, and Irish Derby runner-up, has since won twice very impressively at Group Two level, and Gosden opted against taking on stablemate, and eventual winner, Enable in the Arc.
Although this may not be his optimum trip, expectations are high ahead of what could be a historic victory for British racing.
"He has won over mile and a quarter and is bred to be more of a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter horse," Gosden added.
"I think he has got the pace for it, he has grown up a lot.
“He's a bigger, stronger horse than he was in the spring and now weighs 17kg more than when he went to Epsom in April.
"He's done nothing but improve all year, so it would seem rather silly to bypass a race of this importance."
Excelebration was one of Frankel’s biggest rivals over the years, and he sires Richard Hannon’s exciting three-year-old Barney Roy.
He won the St James’ Palace at this track back in June, before strong placed efforts in Sandown’s Eclipse and the Juddmonte at York.
"Last year I didn't have a runner on Champions Day and basically went there for lunch," joked Wiltshire-based Hannon.
"Barney Roy comes into this race fresh and well, having had a nice break since he ran at York.
"We took him for a spin around Kempton Park last week, which he has done before all his previous runs this season, and James Doyle was very pleased with him.
"I just hope that we don't get too much rain, but we are very pleased with Barney Roy's physical well-being and he looks in great nick.”
Six-time Group one winner Highland Reel hopes to build on his most recent King George fourth, whilst Poet’s Word, who was a runner-up in the Irish edition of this race, represents Sir Michael Stoute.
French raider Brametot won the French Guineas and Derby, before finishing fifth in the Arc; Derby second Cliffs Of Moher also takes his chance.
