Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion S. has attracted a field of 11 following Thursday's declaration stage for this year's renewal of Ascot's 10-furlong contest. Last year's hero, Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus})–who was forced out of his engagement in Chantilly's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe earlier this month–has been allocated 10, while last year's second Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who overcame a wide gate to claim Arc glory in her most recent go, is drawn widest of all. Her stablemate and G1 Epsom Derby runner-up US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is drawn in two, the pair seeking to provide Aidan O'Brien with a belated first win.
Last term's third Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) bids to get back in the groove, having been pulled up in Newmarket's Apr. 30 G2 Jockey Club S. in his only subsequent start, and is alongside his old foes in nine. Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who annexed a stellar edition of last month's G1 Irish Champion S. in impressive fashion, bids to cement his position at the head of Europe's sophomores exiting the inside box.
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