As British Champions Day approaches, the Weekend Winners panel has turned its attention to the Qatar Racing Champion Stakes, where defending titleholder Calandagan faces a stern examination from a competitive lineup at Ascot.
According to Sky Sports, the panel believes the four-year-old retains enough quality to hold off his rivals, despite a season that has seen him travel extensively and show signs of fatigue.
Calandagan's primary challenger is Ombudsman, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner trained by John and Thady Gosden. The pair clashed in last year's Champion Stakes, with Calandagan prevailing, though The Gallop reports that Ombudsman and Almaqam finished second and third respectively in that 2025 renewal.
The field is completed by Arc runner-up Bay City Roller, who impressed at ParisLongchamp, Constitution River seeking to rediscover the scintillating form that brought him victory in both the French Derby and Coral-Eclipse, and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam. Devil's Advocate, representing Godolphin, is expected to dictate the early tempo.
The Champion Stakes carries £1.3 million in prize money and is scheduled over 1 mile, 2 furlongs, with the race set for 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
Declan Rix's Assessment
Panellist Declan Rix acknowledged that Calandagan has not reached the heights of previous seasons, attributing the decline to the rigours of global campaigning rather than any fundamental loss of ability.
I don't think Calandagan has been at his best this season - the old Calandagan would have picked up Kalpana [in the King George]. However, it's so hard for horses when they've been campaigned globally and that's all caught up with him. He's probably a six or seven pound worse horse this year, but I think that's because of all the travel.
Rix expressed optimism that trainer Francis-Henri Graffard can restore the horse to peak condition following the break since the King George.
I'm hoping the break since the King George has invigorated him and I'm going to put my faith in the magic man, Francis-Henri Graffard with him getting him back to his best. I think the faster the ground the better for him, though I would say when he beat Ombudsman last year, he [Ombudsman] wasn't at his very best. However, he also comes here off the back of a below-par run.
The analyst warned that the race carries an unpredictable quality, with the tactical approach likely to differ from the previous year's contest.
It has the look of a trappy race and in last year's race they went a million miles per hour. Listening to William Buick earlier this week, it sounds like Devil's Advocate will go forward but it could be more tactical than last year's race, as they want to bring out that speed in Ombudsman, having played into Calandagan's hands last year.
Kate Tracey's View
Kate Tracey remained captivated by Constitution River's potential, despite his recent struggles. She highlighted his stunning performances earlier in the season as evidence that he retains the quality to trouble the favourite.
I can't let go of Constitution River! We're definitely getting a price about him at 11/2. It was quite something to win from stall 15 in the Prix du Jockey Club and then to go to Sandown, taking on his elders and winning the Coral Eclipse in devastating style - that cemented him as a worldie at that stage.
Tracey acknowledged the horse's recent disappointments but suggested that extenuating circumstances explained his below-par displays.
We had York - that was horrible - when his pacemaker disappeared, although he still finished ahead of Ombudsman. Last time out at Leopardstown was more deflating than York but he's subsequently had his excuses for that.
She remained hopeful of witnessing a return to the form that made Constitution River such an eye-catching performer at Chantilly and Sandown.
I'm still hoping we get to see him back to his Chantilly or Sandown performances. He was captivating, wasn't he?
Sam Boswell's Perspective
Sam Boswell defended Calandagan against suggestions that the horse has deteriorated since his Japanese campaign, drawing parallels with elite athletes who bounce back from setbacks.
I came back to Calandagan here and he's had some doubters mention 'has he been the same horse since coming back from Japan?' He's a great horse and like great boxers, great horses come back from defeats. Because of the track at Epsom you can put a line through his performance there.
Boswell suggested that any future Japanese plans would justify Calandagan's participation at Ascot, and noted that the jockey change would have no bearing on the outcome.
If they've got Japan in their sights again, I can understand why they want to come back here. Christophe Soumillon comes in for the ride with Mickael Barzalona banned, but that's not a concern.
The panel's consensus points to Calandagan retaining sufficient quality to repel his challengers, though Constitution River offers value for those seeking an alternative at generous odds.
