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Champions Day Ascot Tips and Previews
CHAMPIONS DAY ON SATURDAY! 6 high quality races from Ascot live on ITV Racing and we have all the action covered in detail.
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Saturday Schedule
1.15 Ascot Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) 2m
1.50 Ascot Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) 6f
2.25 Ascot Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) 1m4f
3.05 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) 1m
3.45 Ascot Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f
4.25 Ascot Balmoral Handicap (Class 2) 1m
Ascot 1.15
Star stayer KYPRIOS looks the way to go for the Champions Long Distance Cup. He was a perfect 6-6 last season and while he was beaten on return that was an encouraging performance and back on much softer ground here with that run under his belt I’m expecting him to be really tough to beat.
He holds main rival Trueshan on form from last season and looks set to justify favouritism. The latter did well to win at Doncaster given how hard he pulled and then was impressive in France so should make a race of it at least.
Ascot 1.50
Kinross will be popular here especially with Frankie Dettori on but I find myself not wanting to back him at a short price. He spurned a good opportunity in France last time and might prove vulnerable. SANDRINE actually beat the favourite at Goodwood last year and she arrives here at the top of her game after winning at Doncaster last month. If she can build on that back up to the top table she could be decent value.
Vadream relishes soft ground and has good form at this track too so should run well but I wouldn’t have her much shorter than the selection so on value grounds Andrew Balding’s 4yo looks the way to go. Of the rest Mill Stream is also feared as he will enjoy being back on a softer surface after disappointing at Haydock last time.
Ascot 2.25
I am hoping Frankie Dettori signs off with a winner on Champions Day and FREE WIND could be it. She struggled last time but that was in the Arc and if it hasn’t left a mark she could bounce back. Her head second to Warm Heart at York was a massive run and back on softer ground she should relish this test. She will be ridden quietly and I can see this panning out perfectly for her.
Time Lock was impressive at Newmarket last month but that was on a fast surface and this is coming soon enough. Jackie Oh is a tough filly still going the right way so she is another one I expect to be bang there.
Ascot 3.05
I can’t wait to see PADDINGTON back out on Champions Day. Aidan O’Brien admitted himself that he got a bit greedy asking him to win at York last time having answered every call up until that point. He just didn’t pick up as well as he usually does so it is no surprise that he has been freshened up since.
This would have been the end of season target and back down to a mile I can see really suiting here. Nashwa has been admirably consistent throughout the season and looks the one to chase him home.
Ascot 3.45
Horizon Dore is chasing a five-timer but this will be his toughest task to date so he will need to step forward again to win at this level and I’m surprised he is as short as he is at the top of the betting. I am sticking with BAY BRIDGE who won this race last year beating Adayar with Baaeed in behind. He was given a confidence booster at Kempton last month and then ran a very solid race in defeat beaten just 6 lengths in the Arc behind Ace Impact. I can’t see how he doesn’t run a big race.
Via Sistina also deserves a mention as she was a bit unlucky missing a nose in France and had looked really progressive prior to that with wins at Newmarket and the Curragh. If it is deep ground she will be a lively each way player.
Ascot 4.25
I know things didn’t go to plan for DOCKLANDS last time but that was in Group company and he certainty wasn’t disgraced. He was ridden patiently and it paid to be handy as Goodwood can sometimes ride like that. He was hugely progressive prior to that blip and is proven in soft ground as well which will be a big plus here. His most impressive performance to date came over C&D back in May and he is a colt who is still armed with considerable potential.
Hayley Turner knows him well and she will look to get him switched off early before picking his way through in the closing stages. Sonny Liston was denied just a nose at Doncaster and ran a cracker when second over C&D in the Royal Hunt Cup earlier in the season so looks the danger.
ITV Racing Champions Day Double
I have combined both my NAP and NB on Champions Day to make a Double. Pays 9/2!
ITV Racing Champions Day Lucky 15
I have taken four bets at Ascot on Saturday and combined them to make a Lucky 15 which looks decent value. Pays 1,300/1!
