Racing: Stoute puts Pilsudski on Champion duty as Singspiel rests

Michael Stoute finalised his Champion Stakes challenge yesterday by ruling out Singspiel but confirming Pilsudski a starter in Saturday's race. The Newmarket trainer is keeping his International Stakes winner for the Breeders' Cup at Hollywood Park on 8 November.

Stoute has committed Pilsudski to the Group One feature two weeks after he chased home Peintre Celebre in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Michael Kinane will continue on the colt, leaving Aidan O'Brien to find a rider for Desert King. The race is one of the few big races to elude Stoute, for whom victory could clinch the trainers' championship.

"Pilsudski seems to have taken his race in the Arc well. The ground wouldn't matter for him," Stoute said. "There was always a question about whether Singspiel took in the Champion before the Breeders' Cup but now he is definitely aimed at the Breeders' Cup."

Peter Chapple-Hyam will delay a decision about Revoque's participation until the end of the week. The 2,000 Guineas runner-up is also engaged in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Sunday.

With the line-up clarified, Coral became the first bookmakers to bet on the contest, making Pilsudski 11-8 favourite.

The Queen's horse Arabian Story and the Lady Herries-trained Harbour Dues arrived in Melbourne yesterday to prepare for the Melbourne Cup on 4 November.

Michael Tabor's Arlington Million winner Marlin has been retired after breaking down in the Grade One Oak Tree Turf Championship at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Champion Stakes (Newmarket, Saturday): Coral: 11-8 Pilsudski, 4-1 Benny The Dip, 5-1 Loup Sauvage, 6-1 Stowaway, 7-1 Desert King, 12-1 Bahhare, 14-1 Revoque, 25-1 Bijou D'Inde, 100-1 No Slouch.