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FRANKEL FACES GROUND QUESTIONS

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Sir Henry Cecil has admitted Frankel will be heading into the unknown in Saturday's Qipco Champion Stakes if the ground turns heavy.

Ascot has been hit by consistent rain in the build up to Champions Day and following another five millimetres overnight, clerk of the course Chris Stickels has mentioned the possibility of further rain on already soft ground. The forecast for Saturday itself is better but with showers still forecast, the ground is unlikely to be any better than soft.

CUP WINNERS SET TO CLASH

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Three previous Ascot Gold Cup winners will take each other on in Saturday's Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Godolphin's Colour Vision, successful in June, last year's winner Fame And Glory and the 2010 hero Rite Of Passage will all clash in the Group Three.

Colour Vision has been beaten three times since his finest hour but Frankie Dettori has stayed loyal. Mahmood Al Zarooni's Opinion Poll, second in the Gold Cup this season, opposes again and will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona.