The Qipco Champions Day as Ascot is one of the biggest days on the flat racing card as the heroes and heroines of the season are lauded on a seriously good schedule at the Berkshire track on Saturday. It is all live on ITV and we are going on the attack with four bets to keep us interested throughout what should be a great day of action.
1.35 Ascot: Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes
Preview
The opener is the Group 1 Sprint over 6 furlongs with a decent sized field of 17. This looks a very open race with Advertise near the head of affairs despite there being a question mark over his liking for this heavy ground. Cape Byron, on the other hand, will love the deep ground and loves the track even more, winning all 3 here this terms but has it to prove in the very highest company.
Instead, it might be best to stay close to the form of the Haydock Sprint Cup which was run on easy ground 6 weeks ago. Hello Youmzain made all that day to hold off The Tin Man who is a definite contender here but, perhaps controversially, I think he’s more of a Haydock type than an Ascot one.
Betting
Do not ignore the chances of our selection though, Brando, who was 4th in that Haydock race, breaking a blood vessel in the process. He’s a massive price today; in the last 3 runnings of this, he’s finished 3rd, 6th and 4th, and 2 starts ago, he was a neck 2nd to Advertise in the Prix Maurice De Gheest and is now 3lbs better off. Conditions also suit more with him being out of soft ground lover Pivotal. Finally, he’s just 3lbs off being top rated, is the 5th top rated overall and yet is 12th best in the betting despite being in decent form.
Tips
PLACED – Back Brando (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 29.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
2.10 Ascot: Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup
This is one for the stayers, a 2 mile slog, but again it’s all about Stradivarius who keeps pulling out more. We’re happy to sit this one out.
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2.45 Ascot: Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Preview
12 runners for this Group 1 event over a mile and a half. Star Catcher is the star turn here, having won her last 3 since being stepped up in trip. All 3 of those wins have come in Group 1 company in the Ribblesdale (here), the Irish Oaks and the Prix Vermeille. She’s hard to beat. Stablemater Anapurna is her main rival having won the Oaks earlier in the season.
Betting
However, we’re happy to oppose in the form of the leading Irish hope, Fleeting. She’s finished behind Star Catcher in each of those 3 Group 1 races but there are reasons to believe she’ll turn the tables today. Firstly, she has 3 stablemates running and surely one of them will try to stop the 2 market leaders & John Gosden pair from dictating the tempo which would suit our charge, a hold up performer. Secondly, she was closing fast at the Curragh in the Irish Oaks and the gap between the pair is not as big as the form might suggest. Next, the jockey booking appeals; after her debut, this jockey is the only one to win on her and he was also on board for that Irish Oaks run, the time where she finished the closest she’s been to the favourite. She remains in form too after just failing to get up in the Prix De L’Opera in France 2 weeks ago. She’s due a change in luck and is a nice each way price if such luck is forthcoming.
Tips
PLACED – Back Fleeting (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 6.00 Skybet BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
3.20 Ascot: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Preview
A straight track mile, this is the big one with 16 runners lining up.
French raider The Revenant is the likely favourite having won 8 of 10 career starts including his last 6 but he’s never run in the very top grade. He’s sure to keep on progressing but this is also his first trip overseas so there are question marks. Magna Grecia and Benbatl are both high class but the combo of heavy ground and this track worry me.
Betting
There are no such worries, however, for Lord Glitters who loves it here and will love the ground conditions even more. He’s won his only start here this term in the Group 1 Queen Anne at the Royal meeting. In fact, he’s raced here 6 times, finishing 2nd on another 4 occasions. His only so-called failure was in this last year when given a poor ride by Spencer switching to the fence away from the action to make his move. He was still a close up 6th of 13 behind Roaring Lion. His record on soft or heavy ground is 4 wins and 3 seconds with that 6th here 12 months ago the only blot on the copybook. His trainer sends just one for the Group races today in this horse whilst a further 3 head down for the closing handicap. With conditions right up his street, he’s another super each way bet.
Tips
Back Lord Glitters (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.50 BetVictor BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
4.00 Ascot: Qipco Champions Stakes
A small field of 9 where the front 2 should hold sway. Magical is the form pick having won 3 Group 1’s this year and then finishing 2nd 3 times behind Enable or Crystal Ocean. HE was also 5th in the Arc. Coronet is the main challenger and has won his last 2, both in Group 1 company. The market has this about right.
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4.40 Ascot: Balmoral Handicap
Preview
The closing race is a 1 mile straight track handicap on this heavy ground with 20 doing battle. The pace looks to be drawn low to middle which is a worry for Lord North and Kynren but, of more concern, is their current marks having been hit hard for last time out wins.
Amedeo Modigliani is potentially the proverbial Group horse in a handicap but he still only has a maiden win to his name whilst Clon Coulis was 2nd in the Royal Hunt Cup and has a great chance to gain compensation here.
Betting
We are relying on Biometric, a 3 year old who won the Britannia at Royal Ascot, finishing comfortably on top at the end in front of Turgenev. They finished strung out that with only 2 within 5 lengths of the winner and a further 3 within 9 lengths despite the big field of 28. He was off the bridle quite early that day but powered through in impressive fashion, seemingly loving every inch of the trip and the ease in the ground. We’re hoping deeper ground might bring about further improvement. He ran well last time out in a York handicap off this new mark so remains in good form. Also, let’s not ignore the form of his yard with 6 of his last 8 runners winnings, none at a price less than 9/2. Today’s jockey was on board for 5 of those wins.
Tips
Back Biometric (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Paddy Power BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
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