Fabre: First Look deserves to take his chance in Champion Stakes

Andre Fabre has achieved almost everything in his long and successful career, but a win on Qipco British Champions Day is a box that still needs to be ticked and this year he is calling on First Look in the Champion Stakes.

Champion trainer 30 times in France, Fabre has had winners at the Breeders’ Cup, won Classics in England and Ireland, landed the Arlington Million and big races in Hong Kong, Italy, Germany and Canada.

While he has won the Champion Stakes twice, that was when the race was run at its former home in Newmarket so First Look over will be breaking new ground in what is shaping up to be arguably the best race of the season.

Owned by Wathnan Racing, the Lope De Vega four-year-old was second in the Prix du Jockey Club last season and since being gelded has beaten last year’s King George winner Goliath at Deauville and then won the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend.

“He’s ending the season in very good form, so it will be interesting to (try to) be competitive with those very good horses,” said Fabre, who won the 10-furlong showpiece with Tel Quel in 1991 and Dernier Empereur three years later.

“He has just matured now and he’s been gelded as well. His form is solid, beating Goliath and Bay City Roller.

“I won the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, my favourite course, but I’ve not had many runners at Champions Day because it is always close to the Arc meeting so it clashes.”

The likes of Ombudsman, Delacroix and Calandagan await at the weekend, but Fabre added: “He’s taken the Dollar well and he deserves to take his chance.

“The Champion Stakes looks very strong, you only need to look at the ratings to see that, and crucially there is no rain around, it should be good ground and that is fair for everybody.”