The 2023 British Flat Racing season is heading to a close but it offers a momentous farewell at Ascot on Saturday (21 October) with the traditional British Champions Day, packed with Group 1 action as well as Europe’s most valuable 1600m handicap.

Frankie Dettori insists this will be his farewell to Ascot, the scene of many celebrated victories for the legendary 52-year-old jockey. He is expected to close this chapter of his life with rides in all four Group 1 races in front of an expected bumper crowd including much his own family. Dettori acknowledges: “When I walk out there for the last time it will be very sad. But if you see me crying, I think they will be tears of happiness.”

In the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (1600m) over Ascot’s straight mile, Dettori, who gained the first of his six victories in the race in 1990, partners Chaldean who showed that 1600m on slow ground – likely conditions this Saturday – suited him ideally when the Italian-born rider booted him home to Classic success in the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket in May.

However, the Andrew Balding-trained son of Frankel needs to recapture that sort of brilliance if he is to cope with the likes of Ryan Moore’s mount Paddington. The Aidan O’Brien-trained youngster by Siyouni landed six straight wins this year, proving invincible over this trip two starts ago when cruising to victory over Saturday’s talented French raider Facteur Cheval in the G1 Sussex Stakes (1600m) at Goodwood in August.

Then there is the powerful French-trained galloper Big Rock, whose best performances have come when running from the front. He was run down by Ace Impact in the G1 French Derby (2100m) at Chantilly in June. The value of that performance to finish second has been massively enhanced by Ace Impact’s sensational victory in Europe’s greatest race, this month’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) at Longchamp.

Tahiyra has proven formidable in fillies’ only company delivering a career-best display in the G1 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Leopardstown. She now encounters more threatening opposition and, though she has won on soft ground, iconic trainer Dermot Weld has stated his concern about her natural speed being blunted on a slow surface.

That doesn’t seem to be a major concern for the super-smart and super-tough four-year-old filly Nashwa, who finished ahead of Paddington (second and third behind the fast-ground loving Mostahdaf) in the G1 International Stakes (2051m) at York in August.

Jockey Hollie Doyle says of the John and Thady Gosden triple Group 1 winner: “I am pleased enough with barrier three – close to likely favourite Paddington who was behind us at York. My filly is just so tough and will handle the ground. I hope there is a good chance that yet another fantastic year from Nashwa is not quite finished yet.”

Earlier, Doyle partners Trueshan in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup (3190m). The 15-time winner has proven unstoppable in this race, winning it for the past three years with Doyle in the saddle each time.