The British Champions Sprint has attracted a maximum field of 20, with a host of top sprinters from across the continent set to contest the second Group 1 of the day at Ascot. Among a wide open market, GG tipster Joe Napier pinpoints where your bet should go in this tricky puzzle.
Favourites
Three starts ago, Lazzat looked to have the European sprinting world at his feet, downing Japanese raider Satono Reve to land the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was hugely impressive from the front that day before knuckling down to see out the victory, but two defeats have followed in weaker races. There looked to be little excuse for his Sprint Cup fifth at Haydock, perhaps being slightly wrongly drawn, and so will have to bounce back here.
Big Mojo arrives having won that Haydock race for a breakthrough at Group 1 level. He had only been narrowly denied when second in the July Cup at Newmarket too, while he won over course and distance in the Commonwealth Cup trial, so should feature again.
We have only seen Montassib once this term, the seven-year-old returning with a respectable third in a 5f Group 3 at Newbury. He has failed to win at Ascot in five starts though, finishing fifth to Kind Of Blue a year ago. James Fanshawe’s four-year-old has a record of 4212 in Group 1s, has built steadily back to form this season, and may well be ripe to secure a second straight success in the race.
Contenders
A blot in the July Cup aside, Flora Of Bermuda has been amazingly consistent since the start of last season. Form of 453303 in her Group 1 contests highlights that and she has been unlucky on occasion. Each-way punters can rely on her and she could make a belated breakthrough at this level.
Inisherin has been broadly disappointing since winning the Commonwealth Cup over course and distance in 2024, but there was a spark in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last time when definitely drawn on the wrong side of the track. The second French runner in Rayevka was third in this year’s Commonwealth Cup before two poorer efforts on home soil, but 6f on a decent surface clearly suits.
For Ireland, King Cuan is progressing under Paddy Twomey’s tutelage, but far more is needed here than placed efforts in lesser races the last twice. Conversely, No Half Measures secured a Group 1 when conditions suited at Newmarket, so could give a bold show again if Ascot suits having run well here before.
Art Power and Witness Stand both provide pace angles here. The former won this two years ago and secured a first victory since at the Curragh last time out, though the ground will probably be too quick, though Witness Stand is interesting back at 6f on this surface, with a brisk pace likely to play to his strengths as a 7f specialist.
Outsiders
It is almost impossible to make a case for Powerful Glory, but you can try with the rest. Run To Freedom is among the veterans, but regularly outruns his odds in this company, including when second in this at 150/1 three years back. Henry Candy will have him primed for what could be a swansong.
George Boughey could have a successor to Believing in Rosy Affair, who has improved for 6f trips the last twice, with her French Group 3 win in August a career best. Ten Bob Tony also arrives after better form in France most recently, and his verdict over Kinross over 7f at Haydock earlier this campaign catches the eye. More is probably still needed from both.
Both Quinault and Iberian have shown flashes of ability for this level over 6f, though it is a leap of faith to fancy them for this. King’s Gamble and Spy Chief may both have been miscast as 7f-1m horses, though both have arguably shown their best this season over 6f.
James’s Delight catches the eye most at a massive price. His draw would have made it implausible to challenge in the Sprint Cup last time, but he had put in a clear career high to win a Group 2 at the Curragh before that and could improve on his eighth here last year on sounder ground.
Verdict
Lazzat has questions to answer despite holding the best piece of form in this field. Alternatives abound in this 20-strong line-up though and fellow Wathnan-owned star KIND OF BLUE appeals most. He has been gradually improving back towards his best this campaign, registering his best effort in 2025 when second in the Sprint Cup (Lazzat fifth) behind Big Mojo last time out. The selection can repeat his success in this last year, with Flora Of Bermuda an evergreen each-way option and Inisherin and James’s Delight interesting in their own rights at bigger prices.
- Kind Of Blue
- Big Mojo
- Flora Of Bermuda
- Inisherin
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