Champions Day Entries: Frankel faces five in the feature

Frankel will face five rivals in the Champion Stakes.

Frankel will face just five rivals at Ascot, headed by last year's winner Cirrus Des Aigles, in the Champion Stakes on Saturday...

John Gosden's Eclipse winner Nathaniel likes to get his toe in and he remains the horse to have got closest to Frankel when beaten just half a length on their respective debuts at Newmarket in 2010.

The German Derby winner Pastorius is another new rival for Frankel while Master Of Hounds will have his second run for William Haggas having won in Turkey on his first start for his new trainer.

Frankel's stablemate and three-parts brother Bullet Train is there to ensure a decent gallop.

Aidan O'Brien will not be represented in the Champion Stakes having taken out Declaration Of War while Prix de l'Opera winner Ridasiyna also bypasses the race.

Excelebration heads a field of eight declared for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Qipco, at Ascot on Saturday.

The four-year-old, trained by Aidan O'Brien, has been beaten five times by Frankel and has the chance to prove himself the top miler in Europe without having to take on his nemesis, who runs in the Champion Stakes instead.

Excelebration won the Prix Jacques le Marois in good style on his latest start from Roger Charlton's Cityscape and the John Gosden-trained Elusive Kate, who are in opposition once more.

The Queen is represented by Carlton House, who disappointed in the Summer Mile on this course when dropped in distance from a mile and a quarter.

Brian Meehan's Most Improved won the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting and bids to bounce back to form after two subsequent defeats.

Side Glance, Sovereign Debt and German challenger Indomito complete the line-up.

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.

Fame And Glory won this race 12 months ago but after a comeback win at Navan, he has disappointed twice in the Gold Cup and the Irish St Leger.

Rite Of Passage has only been seen once since his greatest win due to injury.

Dermot Weld's eight-year-old will be having his first start for over 500 days.

John Gosden's Aiken, a close fourth in the Irish St Leger, tries two miles for the first time while John Oxx's Saddler's Rock, a fast-finishing third in the Gold Cup, also runs.

Donald McCain's dual purpose performer Il De Re makes a big jump in class while Askar Tau and Electrolyser complete the nine-runner field.

Timeform's Horses To Follow for the 2012/3 NH season is out now! Get an interview with Donald McCain and ante-post advice as well as 65 horses to follow from Britain and Ireland. Get your copy now!