Aidan O’Brien u-turns on £70,000 entry to make last minute Champions Day switch

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has made a last-minute reversal regarding his Champions Day plans at Ascot on Saturday. Despite paying £70,000 on Monday to supplement Constitution River into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, O'Brien decided the colt will instead run over 10 furlongs in the Champion Stakes. Meanwhile, three-year-old colt Gstaad will remain at the one-mile distance to contest the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

O'Brien explained that stepping Gstaad up in trip against seasoned older horses would be unfair, while Constitution River has proven form over a mile and a quarter. In addition, Gold Cup winner Scandinavia has been ruled out of the Long Distance Cup, with Queenstown and Amelia Earhart set to run in his place.