Champions Day at Ascot is one of the best racing cards of the entire year and it all takes place on what should be a thrilling day on Saturday. The weather is set to be kind so the wonderful horses on display should get decent ground to showcase their talents on a day where there is a huge spotlight on the sport. Given the attention on the meeting we have gone through the entire card, picking out the very best bets.
1.25 Ascot: Long Distance Cup
The first race on a superb Champions Day is the only non-betting proposition race for me with Stradivarius unbeaten in 4 top staying Group races this season & currently trading at odds-on. Course form is so important at Ascot so his win in the Gold Cup just adds weight to his claims.
Flag Of Honour looks to be the only one capable of running the favourite close but his odds of 5/2 don’t appeal either so I’ll let this race pass.
2.00 Ascot: Sprint Stakes
Preview
Course specialist, The Tin Man, is the favourite here following his win on heavy ground in the Haydock Sprint Cup & his claims are solid enough. He could easily follow up but, as with these sprints, it’s all about “on the day” so I’m not a fan of taking relatively short prices.
Last year’s winner & fellow course specialist Librisa Breeze is in opposition & gets his ground today for the first time this year whilst Harry Angel is a top class sprinter but his 0 from 5 record here is offputting.
Betting
At a bigger price, I’m siding with the William Haggas trained Tasleet who might just land his first Group 1 at the 6th time of asking, especially after finishing runner up in 3 of those 5 runs. He was midfield in the Sprint Cup but that was his first start in over 3 months & his trainer has already said he’s just put in his best piece of work this year. He finished 2nd in this 12 months ago behind Librisa Breeze & was a neck 2nd to The Tin Man in the Diamond Jubilee a year previous.
He’s tried in first time headgear & a tongue tie which is interesting. 3 of his top 4 RPRs have been on genuinely soft ground & 2 of his top 3 RPRs were over this course & distance. With conditions in his favour, I’m expecting a big run.
Tips
Back Tasleet (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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2.40 Ascot: Fillies & Mares Stakes
Preview
St Leger 2nd Lah Ti Dar is a warm order but I’d want to oppose this inexperienced filly who is yet to race at Ascot & yet to encounter true soft ground. There are similar track concerns for Kitesurf whilst I think she needs a better surface so, of the market leaders, Coronet is probably the one you’d want on side although Dettori prefers the favourite.
Betting
Magical appears the number 1 hope of Ballydoyle with Moore on top & she comes here after a respectable run in the Arc but I can’t ignore the chances of Hydrangea & fancy her to follow up on last year’s success.
She has solid course form & is a far better filly on soft ground with her win in this 12 months ago as well as a head 2nd in the Prix L’Opera last term too. She’s been out 3 times this year but all of those were on firmish ground so it’s no surprise she’s failed to show her best. Admittedly, we’re hoping she improves now back on soft ground but I feel she has no more &, in some cases, less to prove than those more fancied in the betting.
Tips
Back Hydrangea (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
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3.15 Ascot: Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Preview
A big field for this but many look like they’re here for the day out only. I can’t have Roaring Lion; he’s the class act but has never stepped foot on the Ascot turf & looks like he may need firm ground.
Betting
Recoletos has had 1 failure this season & that was at the Royal meeting here. That said, it may have the fast ground so he cannot be easily dismissed. Addeyybb, Laurens & Happily all have claims but, continuing the theme of course specialists who love soft ground conditions, I cannot oppose Lord Glitters.
In 8 UK starts, he’s won 2, been 2nd a further 5 times & was 3rd the other time. He’s won & been 2nd on his 2 soft ground starts whilst his Ascot form reads 2-1-2-2 including a Group 2 & the Group 1 Queen Anne at the Royal meeting early this summer. He was disappointing in the Woodbine Mile in Canada last time but back in the UK & with the ground much more to his liking, he should be bang there at the business end.
Tips
Back Lord Glitters (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 BetVictor BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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New Customers can get Cracksman at an enhanced 33/1 the win the Champion Stakes. Max Stake £1. Winnings paid in free bets. Full T&Cs Apply. 18+|Gamble Aware.
3.50 Ascot: Champion Stakes
Preview
A bare 8 running here with the front 3 looking solid but I can’t resist a punt on an outsider to nab a place or maybe even more.
Cracksman looked top class when landing this 12 months ago & has retained most of his form this year. Soft ground suits but he was turned over at the Royal meeting at long odds on which is a little worry. Crystal Ocean is another solid & top class horse but he’s better over further & may be outpaced dropped in trip.
Betting
Capri is the 3rd of the market leaders but again may prefer at least an extra 2 furlongs so I’ll chance an each way bet on Monarchs Glen who won the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. This is a big step up in class but he was mightily impressive & looks to be on a steep upward curve. It’s interesting too that Gosden pitches him in here when there are other options & when he already has the market leader, Cracksman.
He’s a course & distance winner, looks a 10 furlong specialist & won his only start on soft ground. With a lack of depth in this race, he’s worth a bet at current odds.
Tips
Back Monarchs Glen (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
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4.30 Ascot: Balmoral Handicap
Preview
20 runners, plenty of chances & Ascot specialists Raising Sand & Flaming Spear amongst the favourites.
However, I’m going with the bottom weight & 98-rated Zwayyan. Last time out, he disappointed in the Cambridgeshire but this trip & the softer ground is much more in his favour. Previous to that, he’s had some pretty decent form this year, with 2 placed efforts over course & distance, and a win in a Chelmsford handicap.
Betting
He’s a winner at the track, having not been out of the 3 on a trio of starts here, whilst he boost 2 wins & 2 places from 6 tries on softish ground. Being out of Pivotal, the softer the ground the better & at odds bigger than I was expecting, he looks to be a decent each way bet.
Tips
Back Zwayyan (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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