| Canford Cliffs and Makfi face off again • Top milers entered for decider in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes• Ascot expected to be unveiled as host of new Champions' DayThe Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday promises to be the highlight of a historic week for the course, with confirmation expected as early as tomorrow that the Champion Stakes, one of the season's most high-profile events, will move from Newmarket to the Berkshire track in 2011.An announcement to rubber-stamp the switch is likely ahead of the much-delayed publication of the 2011 fixture list, which will finally be released on Thursday, nearly two months later than originally planned. The schedule is expected to include a meeting at Ascot on 15 October, the slot that would previously have been Champions Day at Newmarket, which will also be the date for the QEII Stakes.This weekend's QEII, likely to be the last renewal in September, has attracted three of the best milers in the worldwith Canford Cliffs, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, favourite to beat Makfi, the English 2,000 Guineas winner, and Rip Van Winkle, who took the QEII last year.The only top-class European miler missing from Saturday's field is Goldikova, the winner of the last two runnings of the Breeders' Cup Mile, but her latest form will be represented by Makfi, who beat the outstanding French mare in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.The score between Makfi and Canford Cliffs in two meetings this season is 1-1 but while Canford Cliffs, who had Makfi well behind in the St James's Palace Stakes over Saturday's course and distance, is no better than 11-8 with Victor Chandler, Makfi was available this afternoon at 11-4 with Paddy Power, a price that it is unlikely to survive too long."Makfi had a little exercise [this morning] and everything went fine," Mikel Delzangles, the colt's trainer, said. "He is pleasing me as much now as he has done all year, definitely. I'm not too worried that it has been dry at Ascot recently; it was fast ground when he won the Guineas. The Breeders' Cup is his main objective, I have to say, rather than this week. It is very exciting to be coming up against Canford Cliffs again, it should be a good match."Rip Van Winkle, who beat Zacinto, a bitter disappointment ever since, in a four-runner race 12 months ago, is top-priced at 7-2 to take what appears to be a much stronger renewal. With Cape Blanco, the Irish Champion Stakes winner, also among the entrants – much to the surprise of a punter who has laid 99-1 against him on Betfair – and Poet's Voice being supplemented by Godolphin, there could be as many as 14 runners on Saturday.Martin Dwyer, who was expected to ride Theyskens' Theory in the Fillies' Mile on the same card, could be a doubt for the meeting after being taken to hospital following a fall at Leicester today. Dwyer's mount swerved and dumped him to the ground in the closing stages of a nursery contest.Horse racingAscotBreeders' CupGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Chargers LT Marcus McNeill ends holdout, can return on Oct. 17 McNeill must sit out the next three games because he and wide receiver Vincent Jackson were placed on the roster exempt list by general manager ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Redskins lose Clinton Portis for 4-6 weeks with groin injury Clinton Portis will be out at least a month with a groin injury, putting the two-time Pro Bowl running back's future in doubt once again. His ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Memphis one of 12 international cities with ‘world series’ boxing team The World Series of Boxing, a new franchise-based boxing league, will host its first event in Memphis Nov. 27 at Cook Convention Center. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Football without helmets? Elsewhere, it's rugby By EDDIE PELLS 2010-10-23T18:39:50ZOn the football field, the uniform is a suit of armor that makes players feel invincible and has the NFL in a sudden scramble to make the game safe. On the rugby pitch, where the action is every bit as vicious, they've been playing for decades with little more than a paper-thin set of shoulder pads.... hosted.ap.org |