Constitution Hill Misses British Champions Day Entries as Diamond Necklace Holds Three Options

The entries for British Champions Day at Ascot have been released, offering an early indication of where many of racing’s biggest stars could finish their campaigns, with Diamond Necklace, Bow Echo and Calandagan among the standout names.

Fresh from extending her unbeaten record to six victories with an impressive success in the Nassau Stakes, Diamond Necklace has been given three possible targets by trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The unbeaten filly holds entries in the Fillies & Mares Stakes over a mile and a half, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile, and the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs, highlighting the versatility connections believe she possesses.

Her immediate plans are expected to include either the Matron Stakes or Irish Champion Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend, or an Arc trial, before a final decision is made on her autumn objective.

Bow Echo has also been handed a Queen Elizabeth II Stakes entry following his impressive victory in the Sussex Stakes, despite trainer George Boughey suggesting that performance could prove to be the colt’s final appearance on British soil this season.

A trip to France for either the Prix Jacques le Marois or Prix du Moulin is expected next, before a possible challenge at the Breeders’ Cup later in the year. His potential rivals at Ascot include Sussex Stakes adversary Gstaad, Falmouth Stakes and Prix Rothschild protagonists Precise and Blue Bolt, along with Queen Anne Stakes winner Ten Bob Tony.

Defending Champion Stakes winner Calandagan remains in contention to return to Ascot despite being withdrawn from the Juddmonte International. The Francis Graffard-trained star heads a sizeable French contingent, with his yard also responsible for several entries across the Champions Sprint, Fillies & Mares Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Fellow French trainers Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, Stephane Wattel and Andre Fabre have also entered leading contenders for the Champion Stakes, underlining the strength of overseas representation.

One notable absentee from the entries is Constitution Hill, who had previously been mentioned as a possible runner in the Long Distance Cup following his Champion Hurdle success.

Instead, the staying contest could feature another meeting between Gold Cup hero Scandinavia and Goodwood Cup runner-up Trawlerman, while Willie Mullins has entered recent Galway maiden hurdle winner Mr Hollywood, who is also among the entries for the Ebor Handicap.

The Champions Sprint once again looks set to feature a strong challenge from the three-year-old generation, which has won three of the last five renewals.

Commonwealth Cup winner Venetian Sun heads the younger contenders alongside 1,000 Guineas heroine True Love, Havana Anna, Midnight Tango, Royal Bay Cen and Spicy Marg. Prix Jean Prat winner Thesecretadversary, Royal Ascot scorer Mission Central, Coppull, Division and Power Blue are also among the leading sprint entries for the season-ending meeting.