This weekend is the encore of the flat season with the Qipco Champions Day at Ascot. Some will be glad to see the end of the flat whilst some will be putting their top hat and tails away and packing up the Pimms hamper. It's been a glorious summer for the flatheads but now comes the rain and some JUMPS! One last blog on the flat is here though, lets have a look into the card at Ascot!
13:45 Qipco Long Distance Cup
Estimate is the clear favourite for this first race and rightly so, Ryan Moore gave the Queen her first Ascot Gold Cup as the fllly beat Simenon by a neck. She is a course and distance winner but 121 days off the track and the chance of rain on Friday night and early hours of Saturday could soften it up a smidge. She is currently at 2/1 which is a little short but is likely to stick around that mark until the weekend. Notable runners include Harris Tweed looking for the hat-trick after beating Melbourne Cup entry Mount Athos last time out on good ground, which i'm hoping for on Saturday! There will be plenty of support for the Godolphin horse Ahzeemah who will be second favourite and Caucus for John Gosden who has had an unbelievable summer with his fillies. Ballydoyle send 3-year- old Eye Of The Storm over to start their small challenge.
MY CHOICE: HARRIS TWEED - 8/1 EW (bet365, Sky, Boyles, Hills)
14:20 Qipco Champion Sprint Stakes
This race isnt the greatest, lets not beat about the bush. The preview can't be too long. Paddy Power sends Slade Power whilst Jim Goldie sends Hawkeyethenoo and Jack Dexter. Previously backed Viztoria also runs and Pat Smullen will make the trip over for the ride. Maarek is the favourite after his Group 1 Longchamp win and previous form at the track, this horse looks pretty solid as a favourite and potential winner. The win came in a 20 runner race so the nerve is there and the field included Nunthorpe winner Jwala and recently retired Reckless Abandon which pushes me further towards this horse. Ryan Moore is on Heaven's Guest and the Pat Cosgrave rides Humidor. I'd love for Viztoria to get up and win but it doesnt look too likely and 6/1 doesnt warrant an EW bet.
MY CHOICE: MAAREK 11/4 (Betfred, bet365, Stan James)
14:55 Qipco Champions Fillies and Mares
This is an absolute cracker of a race! Talent (literally) everywhere and winners across the board! Lets start off with Oaks winner Talent then! Ralph Beckett has had a great year with this filly after romping the Oaks and coming second in the St Leger. Disappointing when taken to the Curragh but can be forgiven. Something to note is that Richard Hughes does NOT take the ride again, that might put some punters off. HRH The Aga Khan saddles Dalkala who is coming off a massive Group 1 win at Longchamp. I had the pleasure of watching this horse at the Dante meeting and she is a big threat to Talent, Soumillion should take the ride and she might be hoping for the rain to come! Park Hill Stakes winner The Lark looks for her double and after an impressive run last time, she is an outside chance much like Belle De Crecy trained and likely ridden by Jonny Murtagh. We all know how he has upset the favourites more than once this year, can he do it again on the big stage? Other notable runners include the once fancied Hot Snap for Lady Cecil and German runner Nymphea whose work has been done primarily on the continent this season.
MY CHOICE: DALKALA 9/2 (Sky, Tote, Boyles, Betfred, Victor)
This is an absolute minefield of a race, so much quality and class. It'll be easier to just list those with a chance! Prix de Moulin winner Maxios, Joel Stakes winner Soft Falling Rain, 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach, the black sheep Elusive Kate, Irish Guineas winner Magician, multiple Group 1 runner up Olympic Glory. Toronado isnt expected to run unfortunately and Sky Lantern and Farhh have entries in the Champion Stakes too so potentially adding them two makes it unbelievably tough! Contrary to the picture leading this part, I will not be backing Dawn Approach. Respect has to go to Bolger and the team for the amount of Group 1 races he has taken part in this year but over 70 days off may be a problem and many horses could influence this race. Richard Hughes takes the ride on Olympic Glory and this is a big plus for me and my choice as he has won or placed each time they've teamed up. Maxios is a play of a bet after the Group 1 win last time out and a bit of give in the ground may come in handy!
MY CHOICES: OLYMPIC GLORY 9/2 (Boyles, Hills) and MAXIOS 5/1 (bet365, Tote, Betfred)
16:05 Qipco Champion Stakes
This race has the envious feeling of following the QE2. In this race we do have the Derby winner Ruler Of The World who has pretty much fallen off the cliff (performance wise) since Epsom, he came close to Kizuna in Longchamp but couldnt produce the goods. Last time out he was beaten about a million miles by Treve in the L'Arc. Cirrus Des Aigles is the poster boy for this race, the HOT favourite is looking for the hat-trick after the Group 2 win earlier this month. A previous course and distance winner, the ball seems to be firmly in his court. Hillstar leads the British charge but it's a tough ask for the Sir Michael Stoute horse. Farhh has been declared by Sky lantern will not run, likely due to the forecast rain on Saturday. Be wary of J-C Rouget's Morandi who has progressed well and wasnt beaten far by Intello earlier this year.
MY CHOICE: CIRRUS DES AIGLES EVENS (Sky, Tote, Betfred) and MORANDI 20/1 EW (bet365)
As usual there will be no bet on the last race of the day but if you must then Breton Rock would be my choice.
Good luck out there this weekend and enjoy the bets (Prices were correct as of 16th October at 16:28) and the images were thanks to Google!
