Almanzor heads a field of 11 in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Jean-Claude Rouget's colt has looked imperious this season in winning the French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes and heads to Champions Day as the one to beat.
Taking him on again is Arc heroine Found, second to the French raider at Leopardstown, and she will be joined by her Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemate US Army Ranger.
Jack Hobbs was third in the race last year for John Gosden but he was pulled up on his only outing this year in April.
"The field is not only deep, but very strong, and I don't think we're under any illusions," said Gosden.
Last year's winner Fascinating Rock is back once more for Dermot Weld, after having been forced to miss the Irish Champion Stakes.
Prince of Wales's Stakes winner My Dream Boat, Gabrial, one-time Derby favourite Midterm, The Grey Gatsby, Racing History and the Gosden-trained Maverick Wave complete the field.