Unlike in India, where the racing programme is a patchwork quilt stitched together by different seamstresses, that in Great Britain is by and large a well-designed one. It has been crafted to bring out the best from all participants, and hence it's no wonder that, despite the abysmal level of prize money on offer, that country stages some of the finest Thoroughbred racing on the planet.

In a bid, which is still debatable, to bring the flat season to a resounding climax, the British Horseracing Authority either relocated or renamed or altered the dates of a number of historic races, commencing with the season of 2011. The objective was to have a raceday with a card of six events highlighting the best in each division. Some would say that drawing the largest autumn crowd in history to Ascot last October was proof positive of the concept. Others would carp at this assessment and suggest that 2012's public support was all to do with the final appearance of the all-conquering Frankel (by Galileo).

Whatever the merits of the arguments, a decent finale to the 2013 British Flat season is in prospect this Saturday, October 19th. Unfortunately, the prevailing soft ground, with the likelihood of more rain before the "off", has led to the absence of stars such as Toronado (by High Chaparral) and Declaration Of War (by War Front), who need it firm.

A fair-sized field of 10 acceptors will face the starter at 4:05 p.m. BST in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (Gr.1; 2000 m.), with Cirrus Des Aigles (by Even Top) from France aiming to repeat his success of two years ago. Last year he had no answer to the ferocious assault of Frankel. Subsequently, his form had seemed to be on the decline, at least in the early part of 2013. However his recent efforts – he won the Prix Dollar at Longchamp two weeks ago – have hinted that he has recovered his ability and he has to be fancied. Even though he has his preferred ground, the price of around 10 to 11 on Christophe Soumillon's mount is somewhat niggardly.

Based on public support, the principal challenger to Corine Barande-Barbe's ward will be the less-than-sound Farrh (by Pivotal) who has run only 9 times in 4 seasons. He has not been seen out since his facile victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May. Godolphin's talented five-year-old will have the energetic Silvestre De Sousa astride and the Saeed bin Suroor trainee is a 7 to 2 chance.

Third choice in the betting at 7 to 1 is Aidan O'Brien's Investec Derby winner of this year, Ruler Of The World (by Galileo), who will be the schooler's only runner in this race. The Irish champion trainer feels that the ground is too soft for two of his other entrants Declaration Of War and Magician (by Galileo), and hence they have not been declared to start. His other entry, Kingsbarns (by Galileo) has been redirected to the same afternoon's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Interestingly, Ryan Moore – who was aboard the Epsom hero back in June – has opted for Ruler Of The World here, in preference to Hillstar (by Danehill Dancer), whom he would normally have been expected to ride given his association with the Sir Michael Stoute stable. Whether this portends a move to Ballydoyle in 2014 for the English champion jockey remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Richard Hughes has been recruited to pilot Hillstar, who is at 10 to 1.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is normally represented in most big events in Great Britain and his standard-bearer in the feature is the consistent Mukhadram (by Shamardal). The William Haggas-trainee has been unable to break through at this level so far and is an 8 to 1 chance to do so here. A couple of placed efforts behind Al Kazeem (by Dubawi) in Group 1 events have been his best performances to date. Exclusively ridden at all his 9 career starts by Paul Hanagan, he will have the same rider aboard this time as well.

Other cross-channel invaders include Team Valor's Triple Threat (by Monsun) from the Chantilly yard of Andre Fabre, who will be re-united with Maxime Guyon. Last time out this otherwise consistent runner had blotted his copybook over 2400 m. – he might prefer the drop in trip. Jean-Claude Rouget sends over Morandi (by Holy Roman Emperor) whose form with Intello (by Galileo) entitles him to respect.

County Carlow-based handler Jim Bolger, who had the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hero Trading Leather (by Teofilo) engaged, chose not to risk his runner given the rain-softened ground. That splendid colt's replacement in the field is his year-older paternal half-brother Parish Hall (by Teofilo), now fully recovered after missing the whole of his three-year-old season. The fact that he is quoted at 50 to 1 suggests he has not regained his best form. The trainer's son-in-law Kevin Manning will be in the saddle.

Thirty-five minutes earlier, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes-sponsored by QIPCO (Gr.1; 1600 m.) would have been flagged off. A dozen face the starter and the race sees the return of the crack miler Dawn Approach (by New Approach) from Ireland. Jim Bolger's star colt, who is to retire to stud in 2014, will have the services of a pacemaker to keep the tempo honest. He had a legitimate excuse (dirty scope) for his last flop and bids fair to reimpose himself at the helm of affairs. Kevin Manning's mount is a 2 to 1 chance.

"Dawn Approach is very well and we are very happy with him," said Bolger, adding "I am hopeful that he will be able to cope with the softer ground, but we won't be sure until after the race."

While the hoped-for clash with Richard Hannon's Toronado will not take place, the East Everleigh trainer has a ready substitute challenger in the shape of the 9 to 2 shot  Olympic Glory (by Choisir), who will sport blinkers for the first time on Saturday. Rider Richard Hughes said: "They will undoubtedly help Olympic Glory. We gave him a spin in them earlier in the week, and there was a positive reaction, and I would envisage it could make three lengths difference, which would put him in there with a big shout".

The superbly-bred Maxios (by Monsun), from the same family as Kunigal Stud's ill-fated Admiralofthefleet (by Danehill), surprised last time out in the Prix du Moulin, where he had Olympic Glory trailing in his wake. Aiming to become the first French-trained winner of the race in two decades, the 4 to 1 progressive sort from Jonathan Pease's yard is felt to hold as strong a chance as any. His trainer ventured: "He seems to like soft ground and …. so he should go on it. The ground was probably too fast for him and the distance too far in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot in June. He's a better miler." Stephane Pasquier, who rode a few winners at Mahalakshmi a couple of seasons ago, will be aboard.

A country that has made huge strides in the international sphere in the last decade or so is South Africa. Leading trainer there, Mike De Kock, who also runs stables outside his native land fields the ultra-consistent Soft Falling Rain (by National Assembly). Bred at Highlands Stud in the Western Cape, the colt was purchased in South Africa for just R.350,000 (about $35,000) by Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, and sent to Summerhill Stud in KwaZulu Natal to develop.

So well did he progress that his current record stands at 8 wins (in 3 countries) from 9 starts! Sheikh Hamdan's retained rider Paul Hanagan will be on duty and the price of 9 to 2 for one of his accomplishments is undoubtedly a tempting one.

Gordon Lord Byron (by Byron), who has struck up a fine partnership with Johnny Murtagh, reverts to racing in the Morgan Cahalan silks. Touched off in spectacular fashion by Moonlight Cloud in France last time out, Tom Hogan's ward has every chance to run into a place. He is at 10 to 1 for the win.

In Group 1 races, one can never ignore a runner from John Gosden's yard. Although Elusive Kate (by Elusive Quality) has disappointed at her last two starts, she has the ability to upset the apple cart over her patented trip. With William Buick holding the reins, the Yoshida hope is at 14 to 1.

Last year's Racing Post Trophy hero Kingsbarns, whose reappearance this year was delayed for one reason or another, made a belated first effort of 2013 in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but trailed the field home. Aidan O'Brien offered the following explanation: "The Fugue and himself just collided after crossing the road in Leopardstown and we think he knocked his legs together as Joseph felt he lost his action for a furlong. He couldn't move on him when that was happening and when you sit on him for a furlong and half, he was too far out of it then and he just let him coast home. He's been in good form since." The Coolmore hope is offered at 16 to 1.

One more runner needs to be mentioned, and that is solely because his connections have ponied up £70,000 to supplement him – this is Top Notch Tonto (by Thousand Words), who apparently loves cut in the ground. Somewhat impressed by this show of belief, bookmakers have reacted by offering him at 10 to 1. That said, Brian Ellison's gelding will have to improve "the best part of a stone", to use an archaic measure. This is most unlikely!

The card also features the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Gr.3; 3200 m.), where The Queen's Estimate (by Monsun) and Coolmore's one-eyed Eye Of The Storm, (by Galileo) should fight it out; the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Gr.2; 1200 m.) where Viztoria (by Oratorio) can mix it up with the revived Maarek (by Pivotal) and the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Gr.1; 2400 m.), in which Talent (by New Approach), who ought to have won the St. Leger, can make amends. She might, however, find Dalkala (by Giant's Causeway) a mountain too high to climb.