All systems go for Pride Of Arras and Champions Day

Pride Of Arras will head for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot, after delighting connections when bouncing back to his best at York last month.

Ralph Beckett’s Dante scorer relished the return to the Knavesmire when leaving disappointing efforts in both the Derby and Irish equivalent behind to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes during the Ebor Festival.

That victory came over a mile and a half, but his team have no qualms about dropping back to his Dante-winning distance of 10 furlongs for another crack at Group One glory on British Champions Day – an outing which could tee up some exciting overseas options over the winter.

“He’s doing great after York and the intention is to go straight to the Champion Stakes,” said Patrick Cooper, racing manager to Yorkshire-based owners David and Vimy Aykroyd.

“We just wanted to give him a bit of space between races and it’s the obvious place to go, a mile and two furlongs on probably softer ground.

“Like with Amiloc, being a gelding means you are somewhat restricted on options, so we will go to Ascot and hopefully the two of them will be jet-setting their way around the world after that.”