By Anita Chambers, PA
Scandinavia can justify favouritism by giving trainer Aidan O'Brien a ninth win in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.
The Ballydoyle handler fields three in the final Classic of the season and while Lambourn has obvious attributes as a dual Derby winner, it is his stablemate who dominates the betting after striking Group One gold against his elders in the Goodwood Cup.
While he was vastly advantaged at the weights due to his three-year-old allowance, there was much to like about the way he outbattled another O'Brien inmate in Illinois to win by what was eventually a cosy three-quarters of a length.
He had previously finished fifth to the reopposing Carmers in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, when he had an unfavourable draw, and hacked up by more than eight lengths in the Bahrain Trophy, so it appears he is still on an upward trajectory.
Shadow Of Light can return to winning ways dropped in class for the Betfred Park Stakes.
Last year's champion juvenile has not really made the same kind of impact this term, but he has raced exclusively at Group One level, opening with a fine third in the 2000 Guineas over a mile trip which is probably at the very edge of his stamina reserves.
With the ill-fated 2000 Guineas victor Ruling Court to pitch at the St James's Palace Stakes, it made sense for Charlie Appleby to try Shadow Of Light in the Commonwealth Cup but six furlongs looked a bit sharp.
Returned to seven furlongs for the Prix Jean Prat subsequently, Shadow Of Light looked set for victory but found his run petering out just strides too early, eventually beaten a total of half a length in fourth.
That was a strong renewal with the first three home all performing well subsequently at the highest level and it will be disappointing if Shadow Of Light cannot make full use of his three-year-old weight advantage.
Gewan treads a familiar path for Andrew Balding in the Betfred Champagne Stakes.
The stable's Classic winner Chaldean tackled the Town Moor Group Two after winning the Acomb at York and Gewan is plotting the same route after a gutsy York success last month.
Addison Grey can make it two wins in three handicap starts in the Betfred Portland.
This is as competitive as ever, but Clive Cox's charge boasts a current mark of 93, which could underestimate his potential.
Anmaat can spring a minor surprise by defeating Delacroix in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Following his shock 40-1 success in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last October, it has been a bit of a frustrating year for Owen Burrows' charge as the dry weather has limited him to just two starts.
However, those two runs did see him finish second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and beaten only by Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, so patience can pay dividends with conditions ideal on day one of Irish Champions Weekend.
SELECTIONS:
BATH: 3.28 Rupert The Prince, 4.05 Calafiori, 4.40 Malham Tarn Cove, 5.10 Soul Limbo, 5.40 Tamzan, 6.13 Baynoona, 6.45 Blue Point Express, 7.15 Jlow.
CHESTER: 1.35 Ghost Mode, 2.05 Hamish, 2.40 Artisan Dancer, 3.23 Army Bugler, 4.00 Let's Dream, 4.35 Capital Guarantee, 5.05 Spartan Times, 5.35 Secret Beach.
DONCASTER: 1.15 Hawksbill, 1.50 Gewan, 2.25 Addison Grey, 3.00 SHADOW OF LIGHT (NAP), 3.40 Scandinavia, 4.15 Nova Centauri, 4.50 Divine Knight.
LEOPARDSTOWN: 2.15 Diamond Necklace, 2.50 Slieve Binnian, 3.20 Benvenuto Cellini, 3.50 Convergent, 4.25 Cercene, 4.55 Alakazi, 5.30 Anmaat, 6.05 Bunting, 6.40 Noli Timere.
LINGFIELD: 1.25 Arundel, 1.58 Manly Fireball, 2.33 Tronido, 3.13 Kingsclere, 3.55 Summertime Blues, 4.30 Bear To Dream, 5.00 Clearpoint.
MUSSELBURGH: 4.10 Zebra Star, 4.45 Suddenly I See, 5.18 Rotokura Belle, 5.50 Penn Avenue, 6.22 Simple Star, 6.52 In A Hurry, 7.22 Sixcor.
DOUBLE: Shadow Of Light and Anmaat.