Look to Lord North for value bet in Qipco Champion Stakes

Lord North could be the value call in what is a mouthwatering renewal of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The most likely winner of the 10- furlong showpiece is defending champion Magical, who has enjoyed another excellent campaign, and there was no fluke about her defeat of Ghaiyyath when landing her second Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last month.

However, the brilliant mare's odds are skinny enough in such a competitive event - and the temptation is to look elsewhere.

Lord North actually appears the second string of two runners for John Gosden, with Frankie Dettori partnering French Derby winner Mishriff.

However, it was only four months ago that Lord North produced a scintillating displ ay t o l and t he Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal meeting over the course and distance.

The five - year- old has run j ust once since, finishing a creditable third behind Ghaiyyath and Magical in the Juddmonte International at York in August.

Lord North has little over a length to find with the latter on that form - and returning to a track where we know he excels, it is not difficult to imagine him turning the tables.

Gosden also has excellent claims of landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with the hitherto unbeaten Palace Pier - but at odds- on, he makes little appeal from a betting perspective. A more attractive proposition is the Aidan O'brientrained Circus Maximus, who is two from two at Ascot, having won the St James's Palace Stakes on the round course and the Queen Anne over this straight mile.

The Galileo colt is versatile in terms of going - and while he has significant ground to make up on Palace Pier on t heir meeting in France earlier this season, the more demanding nature of Ascot should at least help him close the gap.

O'brien's recent Listed winner Keats appears on a workable mark in the concluding Balmoral Handicap.