Twice Over can live up to name with Champion Stakes double

Twice Over attempts to add his name to the list of dual winners of the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes when he lines up at Newmarket today.

The likes of thoroughbred legends Brigadier Gerard (in 1971-72) and Triptych (1986-87) have successfully defended their crown, while the latest horse to land back-to-back victories was Alborada in 1998-99.

His jockey Tom Queally believes the Henry Cecil-trained five-year-old has every chance of joining that elite. "I am very fond of Twice Over and he has done so much for my career," said Queally. "I think he has a great chance in following up last year's win in the Champion Stakes.

"He's had a terrific season so far, and while we were disappointed he didn't win the Champion Stakes in Ireland, if you dissect the form he was only beaten a short head by Rip Van Winkle, who beat us a half length at York, so we have no reason to complain. All the signs are there that he is as good as ever and I think the opposition would nominate him as the one to beat."

Eric Libaud is confident Vision D'Etat is back in peak condition ahead of his bid for glory. The five-year-old disappointed in the Dubai World Cup this March, but looked much more like his old self when victorious on his comeback at Deauville in August.

"I think he's ready to run and he's in good form," said Libaud.

Gitano Hernando has missed much of campaign through injury, but showed his well-being with a comeback victory at Dundalk two weeks ago. "We have got him back at the right time. He won well at Dundalk considering he wasn't 100 per cent fit," said his Italian-born trainer Marco Botti. "He should be at his peak now."

Poet's Voice was supplemented at a cost of 30,000 following victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. He will be heading into unknown territory stamina-wise as he tackles ten furlongs for the first time this weekend, but Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford is confident it will not be a problem.

"It has taken him so long to switch off that we felt trying a mile and a quarter at this stage is the right thing to do," said Crisford. "It was for the horse's profile for the future and I think he will get the trip as he is bred to get distances."

Aidan O'Brien saddles Await The Dawn, a runaway winner of the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes on his latest appearance at Leopardstown.

Meanwhile, racing returns to Kelso today for their second meeting of the autumn season. Macmillan Cancer Support will be the biggest winners of the day, with fund raising for the charity beginning as soon as gates open at 12.30pm.

The feature race on a seven-race card is the Elliot Landells Roadsweeper Handicap Chase for the Marshall Trophy. Won last year by Allie Tullie's popular mare More Likely, the 8,000 prize is always competitive.Tim Easterby's top-weight Zitenka has been second and third on his previous two starts at the borders course. Howard Johnson has entered Top Dressing, while Peter Monteith's Cast Iron Casey won on this card over hurdles 12 months ago.