Kalpana bounced back to her brilliant best to ensure that she retained her title in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

A commanding winner of the race twelve months ago, Andrew Balding's talented mare had failed to get her head in front this season, filling the runner-up spot in the Pretty Polly Stakes and King George before finishing seventh in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe a fortnight ago.

Back on home soil, she was sent off an 11/8 chance under Colin Keane, who always looked to be in pole position on the daughter of Study Of Man. As the pace began to lift rounding the final bend, Kalpana picked up nicely under Keane to strike the front, and she had plenty in hand in the closing stages to get the better of Estrange by two and a half lengths.

Quisisana, who had finished two spots behind her in the Arc, faded back into third for Francis-Henri Graffard and Mickael Barzalona.

Balding said: "She's had a frustrating season but looked right back to her best there. Things haven't quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.

"I thought that Colin got her in the perfect position, and I really didn't have many anxious moments watching it.

"We thought if she was anywhere near her best, she had an outstanding chance.

"It's a really good way to end our season, Champions Day, and it's become an important focal point for every trainer. So, to get a winner today is special."

Keane, who has enjoyed ups and downs in his new role as retained rider for Juddmonte, said: "She's very deserving of her win. She's been very consistent all year. Obviously, the last day in France was a little bit disappointing, but fair play to Andrew and the team for bouncing her back quick – if you'd seen her beforehand, you wouldn't have thought that she only ran a couple of weeks ago. She seems to be a filly who has thrived on her racing all year.

"We were going steady – the brilliant thing about her is that she's good from the stalls and she'll shut down wherever you put her, relaxes, conserves energy, and when you ask her, she's good and genuine. She's a dream to ride."