ASCOT 16:05

All 9 ran.

Time: 2m 11.23s

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 99.4%

Cirrus Des Aigles might not have fired but this was still a cracking renewal of the Champion Stakes, a couple of high-class older horses in Noble Mission and Al Kazeem performing right up to their very best as they fought out a tight, thrilling finish, hammer and tongs for the last 2f, with exciting 3-y-o Free Eagle chasing them in third; the winner made all of the running but did so at a good pace, the overall time comparing well with the other two races on the round course on this card, and there's no need to make any adjustments to the bare result.

NOBLE MISSION capped off a fantastic season with yet another career-best effort as he beat a stronger field than for his previous Group 1 wins and his transformation in 2014 has been quite remarkable considering 12 months ago he was building a reputation as the sort to not relish a battle, a switch to front-running tactics seemingly key, whilst it has become increasingly clear that soft ground is important to him, conditions ideal this day; made all, joined around 2f out but never quite headed, finding plenty to hold off Al Kazeem who was also battling well, most determined as he edged into a clear lead again late on under very strong pressure from James Doyle (the jockey used the whip more than the permitted level and was handed a 7-day suspension and £10,000 fine by the stewards); it's unknown at this stage whether or not Noble Mission will be back in training as a 6-y-o but if not then he'll have gone out at the high point of his career, 2 years after his full brother Frankel was retired after maintaining his unbeaten record in this same race, and it's hard to imagine a more successful 2015 campaign if we do see him again.

AL KAZEEM looked as if he might have been past his very best but just 13 days after a creditable effort in the Arc he turned in a performance that rates just as highly on figures as last year's Group 1 hat-trick (won the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince of Wales's Stakes and Eclipse within a 6-week period), racing under much more testing conditions than of late, underlining how versatile he is in that regard; prominent, travelled well, upsides around 2f out, kept on well but could never pass an extremely determined Noble Mission, already seeming held when the winner gave him a bump late on; having already had a failed spell at stud there must be a chance that Al Kazeem will stay in training for 2015, particularly now having proven that he can still mix it at the top level.

FREE EAGLE (IRE) comes out of this first foray into Group 1 company with his reputation firmly intact, admittedly not finding any further improvement from last month's Group 3 romp, but more or less backed up that high-class performance with another, under totally different conditions up in grade/on more testing ground, and every chance his development will be aided by this; his inexperience showed a bit early as he didn't break that well and had to be pushed along early to get a position in mid-field, soon comfortable there though, and made headway under pressure early in the straight, chased leaders 2f out and stuck to task without making any real inroads on Noble Mission/Al Kazeem; this was a big run from one so lightly raced and he's a very exciting prospect for 2015, still potentially top class, and granted a smoother preparation into next season it would be surprising were he not to go on and win at the highest level.

WESTERN HYMN falls short at the very top level but gave a good account to hit the frame, running up to his best form, and despite a rather awkward way of going about things he deserves credit for progressing well/holding his form ever since a winning debut last December; held up, ridden over 3f out, progress out wide over 2f out, wandered around under pressure, tending to hang right, but kept on.

CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) is rising 9 and it might be that his injury after the Coronation Cup at Epsom back in June has left a mark, some way below his best when first past the post in the Prix Dollar, and despite conditions being ideal this was one of his lesser efforts; raced wide chasing leaders, pushed along home turn, beaten 2f out, one paced and passed by Western Hymn inside final 1f.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD was well placed to win a Grade 1 in Canada last month but this was an altogether tougher task and he predictably came up short without being disgraced; raced well off the pace, off the bridle long way out, stayed on after 2f out to pass 3 beaten rivals.

PETHER'S MOON (IRE) faced a stiff task up in grade but at least shaped as if still in good form, better than the distance beaten suggests on the day; mid-division, travelled well, ridden when hampered over 2f out, found little but wasn't unduly punished.

AYRAD (IRE) was flying too high in this grade and could never land a blow.

RULER OF THE WORLD (IRE) ran really well to finish third on soft ground in this last year, having also contested the Arc, but proved to be a disappointment this time around; tracked pace, ridden 3f out, edged left, weakened.