We enjoyed some outstanding performances on British Champion's Day at Ascot, but the undoubted star was Frankel who ran away with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes to maintain his unbeaten record.

Sir Henry Cecil's colt remains on an official mark of 135 after that win, a rating the official handicappers don't think he can improve on. Timeform have rated him 143 which puts him in fourth behind Sea Bird II, Tudor Minstrel and Brigadier Gerard in all the rankings.

Frankel: stole the show on inaugural Champions Day

The BHA rating still has him behind Dancing Brave (141), Peintre Celebre (137) and Sea The Stars (136). Regardless of ratings he is a phenomenal horse who keeps improving and he could be campaigned up to 10 furlongs next year.

It was also fabulous to see Fame and Glory back to winning ways after his trainer Aidan O'Brien brought him back from two disappointing runs. He is now 2/1 with Sky Bet to retain his Ascot Gold Cup crown.

Ballydoyle set to establish legend of Camelot at Donny

The flat season is drawing to a close, but there is still plenty to look forward to, not least next year's classics.

The feature meeting is at Doncaster where the Racing Post Trophy should give us a guide as to who can make their presence felt in some of 2012's top races.

Aidan O'Brien (in search of his sixth win in the race) has declared Camelot and Learn with Joseph O'Brien on the former. Camelot is the winner of his only start back in July in a one-mile Leopardstown Maiden after which he was propelled to the head of the betting for the Derby next year (10/1 with Sky Bet).

He is 5/4 with Sky Bet for Saturday's race and although this is a big step up in grade, he showed unlimited potential on his debut and has a pedigree to match.

He was the Ballydoyle talking horse before he ever ran and is obviously held in high regard. As for their other runner, Learn is a 14/1 shot and will be ridden by Colm O'Donoghue.

The home challenge is headed by John Gosden's Fencing who is the 9/4 second favourite, after Roger Varian's Faraaj scoped badly forcing him to miss the race. Fencing is out of a French Oaks winner and will be suited to the trip after winning a Listed race at Newbury in impressive fashion over seven furlongs last time out.

He was a bit keen there and the small field may not be ideal as he probably wants a decent pace. He was due to run in the Dewhurst but the ground was too quick so underfoot conditions should be ideal at Doncaster.

Godolphin's Encke (5/1) is another horse with a big reputation. Richard Hughes rode him to win his maiden at Newmarket and Frankie takes the ride back. He's one of Mahmood Al Zarooni's best colts.

Jim Bolger's Zip Tap is 10/1 with Sky Bet and he runs in the maroon and white colours of Sheikh Mohammed who supplemented him for this race. He needs to build on what he has done since winning on his debut but he shouldn't be discounted from this powerful stable.

The vibes from Ballydoyle are very positive and although Camelot has plenty to find he could well do so. He needs to progress past another improver, Fencing, but I have my reservations about the way this race will be run for Gosden's charge.

Encke is potentially very smart also and is very much in the mix. If you listen to hype then Camelot is the most likely winner and he has been backed as if defeat is out of the question.

It takes a brave punter to take on a horse like this and as much as I'd love to find some value I think this race is all about the favourite.

Nawwaar fancied to progress past Horris Hill rivals

The Horris Hill at Newbury is a Group 3 for two-year-old colts and geldings over seven furlongs.

The highest rated horse in the field is James Toller's Saigon who has six starts under his belt, winning his first two including defeat of the smart Casper Netscher. However, he was behind that horse in the Mill Reef and was also beaten fair and square in the Middle Park earlier this month. However, he looks to be crying out for this trip - Johnny Murtagh takes the ride.

Richard Hannon's Tell Dad has been running well over this trip in valuable sales races winning one and finishing second in the £500,000 race at Newmarket last time out. He has done really well since being gelded and he should appreciate the configuration of Newbury.

Another horse with claims is Strait Of Zanzibar for Irish trainer Ken Condon. He has run with credit at huge prices in a couple of Ireland's top juvenile contests, but it's a slight concern that cheekpieces replace the blinkers he wore for the first time last time out.

Mehdi has seen the back of Tell Dad in a couple of those recent sales races for Brian Meehan. Graphic is another Hannon representative and Ryan Moore rides. He drops back from a mile which will probably suit. Nawwaar has to improve on his Goodwood maiden win but John Dunlop's colt is progressing and that was only his second outing.

He didn't have an easy time of things at Goodwood and of the lesser exposed horses I quite like him - he is entered in the Guineas and I'm going to go with potential over proven form once again.

St Simon says, Ryan Moore a key booking for Colombian

The St Simon Stakes at Newbury is a Group 3 over a-mile-and-a-half. Sky Bet have installed Colombian and Al Kazeem as their 7/2 joint favourites.

John Gosden's Colombian won a Chester maiden and has then done the rest of his subsequent racing in France running well in top company - the drop into this sort of race could be just the ticket.

Al Kazeem is trained by Roger Charlton - he was second to Sea Moon in the Voltigeur and then second to Green Destiny in the Arc Trial here. He is likely to still be improving.

Beaten Up is a 5/1 shot and is bidding to maintain his unbeaten record for William Haggas. He steps up from 10 furlongs, but as a half brother to Harris Tweed that shouldn't be an inconvenience.

Mohedian Lady is 11/2 for Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon. She won a Listed race at Newmarket in good style over this trip. Barbican and French Navy are both 7s. The former is a really tough performer for Alan Bailey who has won his last three starts including over a mile and three quarters at Ascot last time out - he is considered a future Cup horse so he may just be tapped for tow dropping in trip again.

French Navy steps up from 10 furlongs for Mahmood Al Zarooni and has his stamina to prove. I think Colombian is the one here as his faces his easiest task for a while - Ryan Moore rides.

Albertas to master old Aintree rival on revised terms

The National Hunt season is really starting to get going and when you see the likes of Master Minded down to run you can start getting the tweed back out!

Paul Nicholls' dual Champion Chase winner is an intended runner in Aintree's newly christened Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase - the scene of his Melling Chase win at the Grand National meeting in April.

He will have the task of giving weight to all of his rivals which could include another horse with a liking for this course - Albertas Run. Jonjo O'Neill's talented but quirky charge was comprehensively beaten by Master Minded here in April albeit off level weights and he will get 10lbs off him on Saturday.

Another potential rival is Finger on the Pulse who has had the benefit of a run already this autumn - he along with all the other runners bar Albertas Run will be running from out of the handicap.

It's really hard to assess these horses on their reappearances and to see them in the paddock beforehand would be a huge bonus when trying to make a selection. Master Minded is reportedly in good form but there is no doubt the trainers of the top two won't have them fully wound up for their first run back.

I'd advise leaving your selection until raceday when we have more information. I hate to choose, but just wonder if Albertas Run may be the one to catch fresh.

Selections:

Camelot, Racing Post Trophy, Doncaster @ 5/4 with Sky Bet
Nawwaar, Horris Hill, Newbury
Colombian, St Simon Stakes, Newbury @ 7/2 with Sky Bet
Albertas Run, Old Roan Chase, Aintree

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