British Champions Day brings the curtain down on the Flat season’s biggest stage at Ascot on Saturday, with five Group 1s on a seven-race card worth a guaranteed £4.35 million. The trainers’ title could be settled on the day too, as Andrew Balding and Aidan O’Brien go head to head.
GG’s Joe Napier picks out four horses to follow across the opening three races, from the two-year-old curtain-raiser to the British Champions Sprint.
British Champions Day Race Schedule: Saturday 17th October
| Time | Race | Grade | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.55pm | Qatar Racing British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes | Class 2 | 6f |
| 1.30pm | Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup | Group 1 | 1m7f 209y |
| 2.05pm | Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes | Group 1 | 6f |
| 2.40pm | Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes | Group 1 | 1m3f 211y |
| 3.20pm | Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) | Group 1 | 1m |
| 4.00pm | Qatar Racing Champion Stakes | Group 1 | 1m1f 212y |
| 4.35pm | Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) | Class 2 Handicap | 1m |
12.55pm – British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes
Although there are runners with high-class Group form heading the market, the most appealing are sales sensation Night In Vegas and recent Listed hero SATELLITE OF LOVE. The pair were separated by just half-a-length at Doncaster, the former coming out on top. However, there is a 7lb swing in the selection’s favour and he is going from strength to strength for Clive Cox, whose string is in excellent late-season form. The son of Minzaal had plenty in hand when winning at Redcar last time out despite hitting the rail a furlong out. Ground conditions will suit and he looks to be drawn well in stall 7.
1.30pm – British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1)
In a Group 1 devoid of its main superstar, this could be an opportunity for OPPORTUNITY. The four-year-old has been a typical William Haggas long-term project, failing to reach spectacular heights at three, but coming into his own this season. He won back-to-back handicaps at Carlisle and Royal Ascot earlier this year, ultimately dominating the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes off a mark of 100. He was then second in Group 3 company over 1m4f before a brave run in the Ebor upped to 1m6f for the first time. Despite shouldering top-weight, he was beaten just half-a-length by the winner Daiquiri Bay, who also runs here. There is now a 5lb swing in Opportunity’s favour though and he looks as likely to stay this new 2m trip. A repeat of his Ebor effort would not leave him far away and improvement would see him bang in the mix.
2.05pm – British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)
Almeraq has by far the strongest form in the British Champions Sprint. However, there have been too many users for comfort to be siding with a favourite close to even money. Chief among the supporting cast are a pair of international raiders, with both GREAT WISH and SAMANGAN worth a small interest to put it up to the Shadwell-owned runner. Great Wish is fascinating being trained in Denmark by Bent Olsen. The nation is not a known racing force, but their star sprinter more than held his own when sixth at 50/1, just behind Almeraq, in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over course and distance at the royal meeting. He was keen and forced to go round the houses to challenge, but still loomed large before his effort faded. Two wins since, including a ready success in a French Group 3, make him a contender.
Samangan was less good at Royal Ascot, finishing only sixth of 22 in the Commonwealth Cup. He has proven tricky for Francis-Henri Graffard, as while he shapes like a miler, his best results are over 6f-6½f. Over the extra 100 yards, he landed the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest on home territory in August. He is drawn right on the stands side too, which could prove a blessing and Graffard has enjoyed recent success on this day.
