The legendary Frankie Dettori stole the show at Ascot once again on Saturday as he…
QIPCO Champions Day
The Qipco British Champions day takes place at Ascot in October in which many of the top European and overseas horses take the turf. It is the richest day in the racing calendar in the UK so is targeted by connections of many of the top race horses. This year there is an amazing £4.26 million in prize money on offer and will be the biggest day in British flat racing. Qipco British Champions day is Racing’s big finale of the flat season and is the culmination of the European flat season where champions are crowded over their respective distances. Here we look at the main horses expected to be running in each championship race.
QIPCO LONG DISTANCE CUP
The Long distance cup is a group 2 flat race over 1m 7f 209y. It has prize money of £450,000 for the field to content for. This year’s race looks set to be a clash between Royal Ascot Gold cup 1-2 Order of St George and Big Orange. Order of St George will be the favourite after his fairly luckless run in the Gold cup and will be expected to take revenge on his rival. His chances can be further backed up following his solid run to finish third in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. Betfair horse racing odds currently make Order of St George the 5/4 favourite with Big Orange at 9/2.
QIPCO CHAMPION SPRINT STAKES
The Champion sprint stakes is the second race set to take place on this star studded card. The race is a group 1 over the speedy 6f Ascot straight. The prize money for the race is £600,000 and was won by The Tin Man last year and he will be back to defend his crown. The three year old July cup winner Harry Angel will be one of the shortest priced favourites on the day and will take all the beating. The biggest dangers will most like be provided by the rejuvenated Brando and Caravaggio. Betfair make Harry Angel the 13/8 favourite with Caravaggio at 4/1 and The Tin Man in at 13/2.
QIPCO CHAMPION FILLIES AND MARES STAKES
The next race on the card is the British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes that is a group 1 over 1m 3f 211y. The prize money for the event is £600,000 as last year’s winner Journey will be returning to defend her crown. Her key rival will be Bateel who is on a roll having won her last three races including beating Journey by two and a half lengths in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Chantilly. Betfair make Journey there 7/2 favourite with Bateel in at 9/2.
QIPCO QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES
The penultimate race on the card is a group 1 over 1m with whopping prize money of £1,100,000. Unfortunately last year’s winner and superstar Minding has been retired due to injury so will not be defending her crown. Minding became the last horse since the legend Frankel to win four QIPCO British Champions series races in one season. This year now has a more open look to it with last year’s runner up Ribchester the favourite at 11/4. He is followed in by Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes winner Churchill at 4/1 and the rapidly improving 3 year old Beat the Bank at 9/2. Beat the Bank has only been beaten once in his six race career including demolishing a high class field most recently by 5 lengths.
QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES
The final race on the card is the big one with prize money of £1,300,000. It is a group 1 over 1m 1f 212y in which last year’s champion will again not be there to defend its crown. Champion three year old of last year Almanzor cemented himself as the best in Europe when storming clear to win last year’s race. However this year has a very open look to it with Cracksman heading the betting at 5/2 for Gosden and Dettori. He side stepped the Arc with Stable star Enable winning so will be expected to go close. His potential dangers will be headed by multiple group 1 winning star filly Winter at 5/1 and the St James’s Palace Stakes winner in Barney Roy at 6/1.
(GODOLPHIN’S HARRY ANGEL STORMS CLEAR TO WIN THE DARLEY JULY CUP)