Persuasive headed into retirement on a high with a brilliant success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.

Nathra makes her belated reappearance in the Carraig Insurance British EBF Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Friday.

The formation of a British Champions Day at Ascot in 2011 was fairly well-received among the wider racing community, with the meeting designed to provide a fitting climax to the domestic Flat season.

The Commonwealth Cup doesn’t have much of a history, having only been introduced into the programme book last season, however if its first winner is anything to go by, the race will quickly establish itself as one of the key races in the season.

Past and present shuttle sires came to the fore on the second say of Royal Ascot.