2026 Coral 100 Champion Stakes final

Champion Stakes finalists

Finals with five runners are always a shame, and on this occasion it is Newinn Jolly of Kim Billingham-Hine's who has to forfeit his spot in the decider due to an injury. The five that are left are headed by a pair of runners for Kelly Wilton.

2 - Don Cici - David Mullins - Mr T Dee & Mr E Drake - 25/1

Has not managed to get close to either the winner of his heat (Newinn Jolly) nor his semi-final (Aayamza Legend) but he has done enough to make sure that his place in the final is secured. Has only managed to score in three of his 34 starts, and on the clock he would be a surprise winner, looking for his first victory since June.

3 - Grouchos Gregor - Kelly Wilton - Mr G Armstrong & Mrs J Dykes - 4/6

The Ladbrokes Gold Cup runner-up to Woltemade has made a faultless start to life over six bends. A perfect 3/3 since stepping up to 575m, beating Derby finalist Ballymac Ralf in the first two of those before getting the better of his kennelmate Fortanach Col in the semis. His four-bend pace is a serious weapon over this far, making him very hard to hold if he gets out and on the bunny on Friday night.

4 - Bubbly Holly - Paul Young - The Champagne Club Syndicate - 10/1

A surprise winner of a messy semi, she has been on a solid run of form of late, runner-up in her heat behind Fortanach Col. She led until the second bend in the heats before finding the Wilton runner too strong and now that she is the meat in the Wilton runner sandwich, she is going to have to produce a very smart exit if she is to wriggle clear of them in the early stages. 

5 - Fortanach Col - Kelly Wilton - Mr G Armstrong & Mrs J Dykes - 5/2

Has excelled since being stepped up to six bends, landing the final of the 3 Steps to Victory at Sheffield on his staying debut. He followed that up with a massive winning effort at Monmore in the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers where St Leger runner-up Zenith Pasha chased him home. This trip is a touch on the short side for him but he has the class to punish any mistakes up front. 

6 - Aayamza Legend - John Mullins - Ayamzaboys Syndicate - 7/1

Perhaps doesn't score quite as often a one of his ability should but he got his head in front at a good time when bolting up in his semi-final. He had made the same stage of the Coral Coronation Cup back in July, getting much more luck this time around to make the decider, out and gone to avoid the trouble behind him at the opening bend. . 

Conclusion 

Kelly Wilton has had the license less than a year but she already has a pair of Category One titles courtesy of Fortanach Col. He has a clear opportunity of making it three here and really throw his hat into the ring for Stayer of the Year. He could never quite get to terms with his kennelmate Grouchos Gregor in the semis, and the early pace of his compatriot could be the key to this contest as well to see the white jacket away and gone. Bubbly Holly has done little wrong of late and can fill the frame.

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