GHAIYYATH, Palace Pier and Kameko may all be coming to town, but Champions Day is not guaranteed to take place in front of paying punters.
The entries are out for the tenth running of the end of season showpiece at Ascot, but much hinges on the pilot events as to whether crowds will be welcomed back for good.
Next week’s four-day St Leger meeting is the first time punters will be back on course since racing resumed.
And officials at Ascot will be hoping it goes off without a hitch so that those who have already purchased tickets for Champions Day can attend.
Plans are underway at the track for a number of eventualities, but if punters are to return to Ascot, the government must sign it off first.
Tickets remain on sale for the event, set to take place on Saturday 17 October. It’s Britain’s richest race day with four Group 1s on the card.
Nick Smith, Director of Racing at Ascot, told Sun Racing: “As you’d expect we are looking at a potential crowd but are taking nothing for granted.
“We need to plan ahead now so that we can be ready if the government are satisfied.
“But until the pilots have taken place and then been assessed we aren’t able to speculate on whether we’ll be allowed a crowd, what size that may be or its make up.
“Of course like everyone we will be watching the trials keenly and hoping to begin to welcome the public back as soon as possible.”
Whether punters are on course or not, the action is set to be straight out of the top drawer.
The QEII over a mile could see Palace Pier and Kameko face off, with the likes of Pinatubo, Siskin and Circus Maximus all entered.
The feature Group 1 QIPCO British Champion Stakes will be the next port of call for John Gosden’s Mishriff, where he could face the likes of Ghaiyyath, Addeyyb and Logician.
In the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, Space Blues, Pinatubo and Golden Horde headline the possibles with Stradivarius entered in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup.
