Fame And Glory heads to Newmarket (above) as a 5/4 shot.(credit:
Andrew Stawarz)
The leading British bookmakers appear to be running scared of the surprise participation of Aidan O’Brien’s Fame And Glory in Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
The Irish Derby winner was sensationally confirmed as an intended runner by his trainer after he came out of the Arc in tip-top condition. After finishing sixth in that race, the general consensus with the bookies is that the Group 1 winner should not be any bigger than 5/4.
Head of PR at Stan James, Charlie McCann said: “Seventeen stand their ground, but it hardly looks a vintage renewal despite Classic winners Sariska and Fame And Glory likely to make the line-up.
“ Fame And Glory has yet to encounter fast ground and 10f is, arguably, short of his optimum trip but he ran well in the Arc last time and will meet nothing of the calibre of Sea The Stars.
“ Marcus Tregoning has supplemented Mawatheeq for the race this morning and he is following the same path as the great Nayef who won the Cumberland Lodge before landing this prestigious end-of-season event. He is the one we want to keep on the right side of especially if the rain stays away."
Meanwhile Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘The surprise decision to run Fame And Glory gives the race a much-needed shot in the arm after Zacinto’s connections decided to re-route to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.’
Emirates Airlines Champion Stakes: Stan James
5-4 Fame And Glory
7/2 Sariska (from 3/1)
9/2 Mawatheeq (from 6/1)
8 Never On Sunday
9 Pipedreamer
12 Twice Over
12 Doctor Fremantle
16 Alpine Rose
25 Virtual
25 Crystal Capella
25 Campanologist
50 Barshiba
66 Balius
66 City Leader
66 Set Sail
100 Forgotten Voice
150 Grand Ducal