Champions Day and we are going to look at five races from Ascot. The richest race day of the flat season with £4.2 million prize money on offer. The going is Good and showers are forecast.

1.25 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)

We start with a 2 miler for 3 y.o.’s and over

Order Of St George sets a high standard. However that is reflected in his market price.

Having had a hard race in the Arc under a fortnight ago I would be wary of getting involved at very short odds.

I have them priced as follows:

Order Of St. George 5/4

Simple Verse 5/1

Forgotten Rules  10/1

Quest For More  10/1

14/1 Bar

 

2.00 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)

Two to look at in this wide open 6f sprint.

Twilight Son is a noted horse from last season who is expected to figure.

Signs Of Blessing form ties in with Twilight Son and he can go well at double figure odds.

I have it 5/1 the field which is slightly above the best on the current market and provisionally go the two mentioned as:

Twilight Son 13/2

Signs Of Blessing 11/1

 

3.10 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)

 

Minding and Ribchester deservedly head the market as they contest for the winner’s prize of just over £650,000.

Around 8/11 the pair coupled looks about right and it’s a no play race for me.

3.45 Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)

Close on three-quarters of a million for the winner.

There are good vibes concerning Jack Hobbs who is a previously noted horse. Last year’s Irish Derby winner returns after a five and a half month lay-off.

Almanzor has already beaten Arc winner Found and is a worthy favourite.

My tissue:

Almanzor    7/4

Found          3/1

Jack Hobbs 10/1

Fascinating 10/1

4.25 Balmoral Handicap (CLASS 2)

 

Wide open high class handicap where top weight GM Hopkins can figure on a course he habitually runs well at. Currently heads the market at a best priced 8/1.

A great day of racing, which I hope you enjoy.