The ground should be perfect for Champions Day the celebration of the British Flat season; congratulations to Jim Crowley and Josephine Gordon on winning their respective jockeys’ titles but let’s get down to the action.

The Long Distance Cup looks at the mercy of Order Of St George having finished third in the Arc last time, but that was less than a fortnight ago and at 8/11 with BetVictor I would prefer to look for an each way alternative.

Simple Verse won the Fillies and Mares on this card last year and steps up to two miles for the first time; she looks sure to go close but the lightly-raced Forgotten Rules (1.25) won this corresponding race two years ago and was unlucky 12 months ago when hampered at a crucial stage.

He has been laid out for the race again by Dermot Weld and I hope the ground is riding on the slow side of good for the gelding; at 7/1 with BetVictor he is the each way recommendation.

I am worried about the bounce factor for Shalaa (2.00) but I always felt he could make up into a champion sprinter and he is another each way recommendation.

John Gosden suggested there was plenty of improvement to come after the colt made a winning reappearance over course and distance at the beginning of the month when he raced freely. The hope is that initial freshness has been taken out of his sails and at 11/2 with BetVictor he gets the vote.

The QEII is another cracking race with Minding a worthy favourite, although I’m not sure the dual classic winner should be as short as 2/1 given she has not run over a mile since beaten in the Irish Guineas in May. She finished third in the Irish Champion Stakes last time and I have always felt that 10f would be her ideal trip.

Ribchester (3.10) was arguably unlucky in the Sussex Stakes on his penultimate start but set the record straight when winning the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August. He is two-one down to Guineas winner Galileo Gold in their head-to-head but I love the way Richard Fahey has campaigned his colt, who is 5/2 with BetVictor but I feel he might drift out as money comes for a couple of the bigger priced horses.

The Champion Stakes is the feature and it revolves to my eyes around Almanzor (13/8 with BetVictor); the French raider was quite brilliant when winning the Irish Champion Stakes last time when he was 11th with two furlongs to run against a top quality field.

Ascot has only a short straight and the colt is drawn in stall one. Does jockey Christophe Soumillon go forward or does he hold his colt up at the back of the pack? He has the best form in the race, has won his last five on the spin and can become the first winner from the classic generation since New Approach back in 2008.

I am loath to desert Found who did us a favour in the Arc but she has a wide post to overcome in 11 and might find Almanzor too speedy again.

There is a cracking jumps card at Kempton tomorrow and Next Sensation is 5lbs higher than when scoring at Newton Abbot last time but he is still well treated on his best form. He must go well but he has only raced right-handed twice previously and disappointed on both occasions.

Lemon’s Gent (2.30) is one of two Paul Webber horses in the field but gets the vote; the selection will bounce off the forecast fast ground, goes well fresh and sneaks in at the foot of the weights.

Strumble Head (3.35) is nearing the veteran stage but has looked to be crying out for a three mile chase on a right-handed track this summer and gets his wishes for the father and son partnership of Sean and Peter Bowen. Shady Glen looks a big danger but he might be a better animal going left-handed and the veteran gets the nod.

It’s great to see My Tent Or Yours (4.10) back on the track and the Champion Hurdle runner up cannot be opposed with an excellent record fresh.

Adrian Heskin is in for a roller-coaster of a ride aboard Valseur Du Granval (4.45) who can be keen to say the least but he has an engine and this 2m 2f trip should be ideal; he could potentially be very well handicapped off his current mark.

For all your weekend odds check out BetVictor.com.