Timeform's Global Outlook: October 20/21

Saturday is likely to be Frankel's last race

The eyes of the racing world will be on Berkshire this weekend, to crown champions and to wish a fond farewell...

You'd be forgiven for not knowing that there is a whole book of championship-level races staged at Ascot on Saturday as part of the second British Champions Day, the limelight so far hogged (not for the first time) by the masterful Frankel. There is, of course, good reason for him commanding so many column inches ahead of what's likely to be his final race in the Champion Stakes: he is of course Timeform's highest-rated Flat performer of all, and this week Tony McFadden has put together five of Frankel's most memorable performances, while our Chief Correspondent (and cheerleader-in-chief) Jamie Lynch has offered his own eulogy on Frankel ahead of his clash with French champion Cirrus des Aigles at Ascot.

As we've already said, there are four other top-quality races lined up at Ascot on Champions Day: the Long Distance Cup, the Sprint Stakes, the Fillies' & Mares'Stakes and the QEII (milers' championship). Matt Garder has, rather ambitiously, tried to go through the card, rounding off with perhaps the most difficult race of all, a 29-runner apprentice handicap. All the best with that, Matthew.

Most other racing jurisdictions are happy to let the Brits have our day in the sun on Saturday, the overall Global outlook duly quite quiet. Perhaps predictably, the exception is the Australians, with the Caulfield Cup, a major trial for the Melbourne Cup, taking place on Saturday. Gary Crispe has previewed the feature race, while Dominic Beirne has had a look at the wider card, which contains five other Group races and a couple of listed events. Timeform are providing a FREE card at Caulfield tomorrow, complete with ratings and comments, as well as a runner-by-runner guide to the big one.

Just because the racing elsewhere is quiet doesn't mean it's uninteresting, as is proved in the US and Italy. There is Graded Stateside action at Keeneland, Belmont and Charles Town, with Chris Williams looking at all the relevant contests. Chris has also previewed the Gran Premio del Jockey Club, a Group 1 over 12 furlongs at San Siro on Sunday, which contains plenty of interest from Germany as well as recent Godolphin Stakes winner Retrieve.

You can listen to Timeform Radio's Global Podcast here, to get even more of a lowdown on this weekend's worldwide racing.

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!