AID’S READY

O’BRIEN REVEALS A STRONG HAND FOR CHAMPIONS DAY

FRANCE’S loss is very much Ascot’s gain where Aidan O’brien runs a formidable team on Saturday at QIPCO Champions Day.

O’brien was prevented from having runners at Longchamp two weeks ago after concerns about contaminated feed.

Magical, twice a winner at the meeting, takes the starring role in her attempt to make it back- to- back victories in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.

The absence of the now retired Enable will make her task much easier, something O’brien has taken on board.

“Enable has been a great filly and obviously herself and Magical know each other well

– they’ve had some great races together,” said O’brien.

“She’s in good form and loved this race last year, so we’re looking forward to running her.”

O’brien, joint top trainer at Champions Day with John Gosden with eight winners, will be represented by Sovereign, Broome and Dawn Patrol in the British Champions Long Distance Cup where they meet Gosden’s Stradivarius.

Meanwhile Sheila Lewis, a racehorse trainer along with running a beauty salon, was turning heads at Hereford yesterday after landing a treble. Lewis, clearly a woman of many talents, was also doubling up as stable hand by leading her runners up in the paddock before their races, was on the mark with Straw Fan Jack ( 25- 1), Knight Commander ( 11- 2) and Cotton End ( 6- 1), all partnered by Sean Houlihan.

“That was my first treble,” said Lewis. “I train about 45 minutes away from Hereford, near HayonWye. We gallop them up on the Black Mountains.”

Lewis added:

“We scramble along but I don’t know if I do it that well. But today, I’ve done it really well.”