Ken Pitterson: Big Rock's bloodless victory my Champions Day highlight

Champions Day at Ascot is the last big hurrah of the British Flat season and I thought we saw an outstanding performance in the QEII won by Big Rock.

This big, scopey three-year-old looked outstanding in the parade ring given the time of year and produced probably the best performance seen over this distance this Flat season.

I was impressed by the way he bounced out of the stalls to immediately put pressure on his opponents by skipping many lengths clear. At halfway he had a comfortable lead and was never for catching.

Christopher Head has indicated that he is staying in training next year and is clearly a very exciting prospect going into winter quarters.

Tahiyra, who now heads into retirement, looked in good order beforehand and probably recorded her best performance on her final start. She travelled well, but tried to head in pursuit of the winner which subsequently cost her second. Checkandchallenge looked grand and ran a respectable race in fourth.

Nashwa and Paddington both looked well, but failed to perform. The latter was a touch keen, but I do not think that was the reason for his poor showing. Maybe the tough season he endured has taken its toll.

Chaldean and Hi Royal both looked past their best for their year and ran accordingly.

The opening stayers' contest looked a cracking affair which saw the defending champion Trueshan return to action quickly from his victory in Paris, but he was awash with sweat in the preliminaries and clearly over the top.

Kyprios looked in the parade ring to have taken a massive step forwards since his first appearance 41 days ago. In a strongly-run heat he sat off the pace and moved up with purpose coming around the final bend. As he hit the front at the two-furlong pole I was having visions of his wide-margin 2022 Prix du Cadran success, but within a matter of strides he began to wilt, which saw Trawlerman take advantage to wrest back the lead and win by a neck.

Sweet William took a major step forward by finishing third. He got very hot in the preliminaries and I thought this was going to prove one race too many, but to the horse's credit he ran right up to his best. Hopefully all three remain in training next year which will add spice to this division.

The Champions Sprint looked an ideal opportunity for Kinross to grace the winner's podium again and for the majority of the race I thought that was going to be the case, however I did not bank on Art Power producing a fantastic front running performance. Even when he was headed this grey gelding dug in to find the bit extra which enabled him to come out on top.

Spycatcher was slightly unlucky because he did not get a clear run when his jockey was looking for a gap with a furlong to run.

There was plenty of money for Vadream leading up to the contest, but after viewing her in the paddock I thought she was looking starey in her coat. If she remains in training and the ground comes up truly bottomless, she may yet have her day at the highest level.

Ralph Beckett must be wondering what he has to do to get Bluestocking to put her head in front in a big one. She was the pick of the paddock before the Fillies and Mares race and she settled nicely out the back. As she came with her run on the outside it looked as if it was going to be her day, but unfortunately she was denied by a neck. Connections must be tempted to keep her in training.

Full marks to Karl Burke-trained Poptronic though, who made all the running and showed great tenacity in the finish to produce a lifetime best.

Third-placed Jackie Oh looked light paddock side, but it did not stop her from throwing down a serious challenge which nearly brought her through to victory. Even though this was her first time at the trip it clearly held no terrors.

On to King Of Steel, the massive three-year-old, who served up a fitting finish for Frankie Dettori by lifting the QIPCO Champion Stakes. This grey who has been to all the top Group 1 races this year finally had his day in the spotlight.

He looked in trouble entering the final bend, but his jockey lifted him past his opponents one by one. I think you will see an even better horse next season when he is able to strengthen up and mature into his massive frame.

Horizon Dore ran well considering how keen he was in the first half of the race. Royal Rhyme who is medium sized looked in fantastic shape along with last year's winner Bay Bridge who may have run flat after his run in the Arc.

My Prospero is a lovely-looking type, who was fitted with a tongue tie and blinkers, but ran far too keenly with them on and overall has had a disappointing season.