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CHAMPIONS DAY
British Champions Day: Accidental Agent to chase Queen Elizabeth II Stakes riches
The surprise Queen Anne Stakes winner is one of 47 entries for the £1.1m race at Ascot
ACCIDENTAL Agent will chase another big payday when he tackles the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on 20 October.
The Eve Johnston Houghton-trained four-year-old heads 47 entries for the £1.1m Group 1 on QIPCO British Champions Day.
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The colt caused a 33-1 shock when landing the Queen Anne Stakes over the same course and distance as the QEII at Royal Ascot.
He is set to run in the Prix Jacques le Marois in France this weekend, and his trainer confirmed Champions Day is on his agenda.
Johnston Houghton said: “He’s in good form and is going to run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois this weekend.
“We’ll definitely be looking at running in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes later on, because he loves Ascot and he loves the straight mile.”
British Champions Day fact file
- The winners of 77 Group 1s and 16 European Classics hold entries for British Champions Day
- It is the most expensive day in the British racing calendar with £4.35m in prize money
- Four of the world’s top six rated horses entered, including joint highest-rated horse in world, Poet’s Word
- Entries include top-rated three-year-old in Europe, Alpha Centauri, and leading sprinter Battaash
Simon Crisford's Century Dream will also be in action overseas this weekend in the States when he runs in the Arlington Million.
He was a close fourth in the Queen Anne and also has the QEII as a big end of season target.
Crisford said: “He goes for the Arlington Million and he will hopefully give a good account of himself there.
"But he has certainly been given an entry in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and that will definitely be an option for him."
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The popular Lightning Spear broke his duck at Group 1 level in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, and he has also been entered for the QEII.
David Redvers, racing and bloodstock manager to Lightning Spear’s owners Qatar Racing, said the contest would come under serious consideration.
Redvers said: "His next options are probably in France, but whether he takes in the Prix du Moulin or the Prix de la Forêt, we’ll have to see.
"The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes would be an option for him afterwards but the final decision is one for (trainer) David Simcock and (owner) Sheikh Fahad.”
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Alpha Centauri has been a sensation for Jessica Harrington this season, and British Champions Day is one of several options for her.
Harrington said: "I’ve entered Alpha Centauri for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
"I have no idea at the moment where she will end up, as each race is being taken as it comes, but she has loads and loads of entries."
Other high profile entries include Royal Ascot-winning pair Without Parole and Expert Eye, as well as French Group 1 winner are With You.
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