ASCOT 15:45

Non Runners: FASCINATING ROCK (IRE).

Time: 2m 5.94s Closing Sectional: (3f): 34.95s (108.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 119%, Betfair SP 101.3%

A deep renewal of the feature race on Champions day, with the first 4 from last year due to take part - the winner Fascinating Rock a late withdrawal due to the ground - though the Irish Champion Stakes winner Almanzor looked the one to beat and duly confirmed himself as the best in Europe with a clear-cut success, the field quite well grouped in behind, the proximity of several of the also-rans preventing a high view being taken of the bare form, though the best horses came to the fore and there's no reason at all to question the form; Maverick Wave acted as pacemaker, setting a less strong pace than he had in the same role last year.

ALMANZOR (FR) had established himself as the best in Europe with his win in the Irish Champion and confirmed that form in decisive fashion in a rather differently run race, sat closer to the pace this time and able to show a turn of foot before finishing well, seeming to have all the attributes to adapt to different circumstances; slowly into stride, waited with, went with zest, quickened to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won readily; he ran here instead of in the Arc, his stamina to prove for that, but he certainly shapes as though 1½m will be within reach and he is likely to have that race as his main target in 2017, the potential for even better to come as a 4-y-o.

FOUND (IRE) lost nothing in defeat, less than 2 weeks on from her win in the Arc, giving her all once again, as tough and reliable as they come; held up, effort early in straight, chased winner final 1f, kept on well, made little impression; she won the Breeders' Cup Turf last autumn and that may be on the agenda again.

JACK HOBBS had suffered an injury to his pelvis in the Jockey Club Stakes, but shaped as if retaining all ability on his first outing since, matching his third placing in last year's renewal and doing well, given the position he was in, much further back than usual, in a race which perhaps didn't play fully to his strengths; held up, travelled well, not quicken straight, kept on well final 1f; he's set to stay in training, with the Sheema Classic an early target, the King George surely one later in the campaign.

MY DREAM BOAT (IRE) ran much as he had behind the winner in the Irish Champion Stakes, performing very close to the form of his win here in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, very smart but just coming up short in the toughest Group 1s; held up, effort straight, kept on final 1f, took fourth near line.

THE GREY GATSBY (IRE) without cheekpieces this time, went with much more of his old zest and turned in his best effort of the season; mid-field, effort home turn, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, one paced.

RACING HISTORY (IRE) hadn't been seen since finishing an excellent fourth in the 2015 renewal, and he left the impression the race was just needed, though he ran up to that form in a deeper race and clearly retains all his ability, targets overseas presumably ahead; prominent, not settle fully, ridden over 2f out, weakened final 1f.

MIDTERM favourite for the Derby in the early-spring, went missing after being beaten in the Dante, but he showed improved form in going down narrowly in the Prix Niel last time and did better again in easily the toughest race he's contested, a platform on which to build with a 4-y-o campaign in mind; in touch, lost place entering straight, kept on again final 1f.

US ARMY RANGER (IRE) back down in trip and in the toughest race he's contested, wasn't disgraced, just looking as if he needs more emphasis on stamina at this level; prominent, outpaced entering straight, plugged on final 1f; he's the sort that could really come into his own as a 4-y-o.

GABRIAL (IRE) has often made late gains in this type of race, but wasn't able to on this occasion, nevertheless running about as well as he's able; steadied at the start, always behind.

MAVERICK WAVE (USA) acted as a pacemaker, as he had in this race last year, though setting a lesser gallop this time; led, headed over 2f out, weakened, eased off.