Take Lord North to turn the tables

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 fine 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, but it was only four months ago that the five-year-old produced a scintillating display to land the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the royal meeting over the course and distance.

Lord North has run just once since, finishing a creditable third behind Ghaiyyath and Magical in the Juddmonte International at York and it is not difficult to imagine him turning the tables under James Doyle.

ASCOT: 1.20 STRADIVARIUS (NAP), 1.55 Art Power, 2.30 Dame Malliot, 3.05 Circus Maximus, 3.40 Lord North, 4.15 Keats.

CATTERICK: 2.00 The Thin Blue Line, 2.35 Ayr Empress, 3.10 Paddy Power, 3.45 Broken Spear, 4.20 Glenties, 4.50 Shawaamekh, 5.25 Justified.

STRATFORD: 12.43 On Call, 1.13 Le Tueur, 1.43 Project Mars, 2.18 Dariya, 2.53 Francky Du Berlais, 3.28 Valse Au Taillons, 4.03 Game Line, 4.40 Say Nothing.

DOUBLE: Stradivarius and Lord North.

CASTLEGATE’S SELECTION: Dark Vision (Ascot 3.05)

Frankie Dettori rides Mishriff.