Many champions have won spectacularly at the Champion Stakes, Ascot’s autumn showpiece, including the likes of Cirrus des Aigles, Almanzor and Frankel. Yet again, a talented field will assemble in Saturday’s renewal of the series. Last year’s winner, Cracksman will make a renewed effort to retain this crown, in what is likely to be his final career appearance.
Leading the charge against the favourite is Crystal Ocean who has had two Gr. 3 victories followed by a convincing win in the Hardwicke Stakes. Thereafter Crystal Ocean lost by a neck to Poet’s Word in the King George and to Enable at Kempton.
Frankel sired Monarchs Glen who was last seen winning over course-and-distance in the Wolferton Handicap back in June after a dismal performance at Meydan in the Dubai Turf.
Aidan O’Brien with once again tries to bring home the Champion Stakes’ trophy which has eluded him over the years, with Capri, who has been rerouted from a possible outing in the Long Distance Cup to have a crack at Cracksman. However the distance may not suit the spirited entire. There is also talk of Rhododendron entering the fray.
Click here to Watch Cracksman Win The Champion Stakes Race 2017
1. Capri (A. O'Brien, R. Moore), 2.Cracksman (J. Gosden, F. Dettori), 3.Crystal Ocean (S. Stoute, W. Buick ), 4.Maverick Wave (J. Gosden, K. O'Neill), 5.Monarchs Glen (J. Gosden, . Havlin), 6.Subway Dancer (Z. Koplik, R. Koplik ), 7.Rhododendron (A. O'Brien, D. O'Brien), 8.Verbal Dexterity (J. Bolger, K. Manning)
Compared to the 140 year old Champion Stakes’ the 60 year old QEII Stakes is still in its infancy. But the likes of Dubai Millennium, Excelebration and Frankel have powered to victory down the straight mile here at Ascot, with Brigadier Gerard and Rose Bowl claiming back-to-back QEII’s during the 1970s. This year’s field too is guested by French raider Recoletos, Roaring Lion, Laurens and many others.
Although this will be Karl Burke’s stable star’s first visit to Ascot, she loves a bit of juice in the ground. She has also done well in the past on this distance while, the French raider who is clearly talented has been beaten twice in the past year.
John Godsen’s Roaring Lion seems to be in great form and should prove to be hard to beat.
Beat The Bank won the Summer Mile here at Ascot back in July and made it five wins from his last five starts in lesser races. His Group One record leaves much to be desired.
Without Parole who was defeated at Longchamp, behind Recoletos . However he may do wonders on this solid British track.
Addeybb has waited all summer for the ground to soften should enjoy this installment of the QEI. Another boy who enjoys a bit of slop is David O’Meara’s five-year-old Lord Glitters.
Click here to Watch Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Race 2017
1.Addeybb (W. Haggas, J. Doyle), 2.Beat The Bank (A. Balding, J. Crowley), 3.Century Dream (S. Crisford, W. Buick ), 4.Gabrial (R. Fahey, P. Hanagan), 5.Lightning Spear (D. Simcock, A. Atzeni), 6.Lord Glitters (D. O'Meara, J. Spencer), 7.Recoletos (C. Laffon-Parias, O. Peslier), 8.Stormy Antarctic (E. Walker , G. Mosse), 9.Aljazzi (M. Botti, A. Kirby), 10.Hey Gaman (J. Tate, F. Dettori)
Lah Ti Dar’s performance has simply oozed class and potential thus far. The daughter of Dubawi will be expertly ridden by champion Frankie Dettori and joined by stablemate Coronet who finished third in this race last season. 2017 winner, Hydrangea is likely to struggle in this year’s installment.
Click here to Watch Gr.1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Race 2017
1.Coronet (J. Gosden, O. Peslier), 2.God Given (L. Cumani, J. Spencer), 3.Hydrangea (A. O'Brien, D. O'Brien), 4.Kitesurf (A. Fabre, M. Barzalona), 5.Broadway ( A. O'Brien, J. Doyle), 6.Bye Bye Baby (A. O'Brien, W. Lordan), 7.Flattering (A. O'Brien, O. Murphy), 8.Lah Ti Dar ( J. Gosden, F. Dettor), 9.Magical (A. O'Brien, R. Moore), 10.Pilaster (R. Varian, D. Egan), 11.Sizzling (A. O'Brien, W. Buick)
This year’s edition of the Sprint Stakes will feature both The Tin Man and Librisa Breeze, who took the spoils in each of the last two runnings of this race. Another favourite Dark Angel colt who has been a bit off his game due to injury should be the one to look out for in the race. He is no stranger to Group One success having won both the July Cup and the Haydock Sprint Cup last campaign. Earlier this year, he sustained an injury that led to nearly three months off the course, and he again was fractious in the gates prior to his Haydock Sprint Cup defence last month.
Click here to Watch Champions Sprint Stakes Race 2017
1.Bacchus (B. Meehan, W. Buick ), 2.Brando (K. Ryan, J. Spencer), 3.Donjuan Triumphant (A. Balding, J. Doyle), 4.Dream Of Dreams (S. Stoute, R. Moore), 5.Harry Angel (C. Cox, A. Kirby), 6.Librisa Breeze (D. Ivory, R. Winston), 7.Limato (H. Candy, H. Bentley), 8.Projection (R. Charlton, K. Shoemark), 9.Sir Dancealot (D. Elsworth, G. Mosse), 10.Son Of Rest (J. Stack, C. Hayes )
The 2018 British Champions’ Day meeting kicks off on Saturday with the renewal of the 2 mile feature, with a field of seven runners lead by John Gosden’s crack stayer Stradivarius. The Sea The Stars colt looks very hard to oppose and should really win this.
Ballydoyle’s Flag of Honor who is on a three-race winning streak is the biggest threat to the star. The colt produced an impressive front-running performance to win the Irish Classic last month, beating Irish Derby hero Latrobe and others.
Click here to Watch Gr.2 Long Distance Cup Race 2017
1.Desert Skyline (D. Elsworth, G. Mosse), 2.Mount Moriah (R. Beckett, H. Bentley), 3.Stradivarius (J. Gosden, F. Dettori), 4.Thomas Hobson (W. Mullins, A. Atzeni), 5.Cypress Creek (A. O'Brien, W. Lordan), 6.Flag Of Honour (A. O'Brien, R. Moore), 7.Sir Erec (A. O'Brien, D. O'Brien),
Qipco British Champions’ Day ends with a competitive big-field handicap and a maximum field of 20 runners will go to post for the day’s finale. Safe Voyage heads the field with his keen ability to handle the soft conditions previously. He won well two starts ago at Haydock in the mud and the return to one mile will pose no issue despite all his winning form coming over seven furlongs.
His key competitor should be Kynren who also handles soft ground well. The Clodovil gelding won three times last term, two of which came in softer ground at Newmarket and Redcar respectively, and he returned to action to post another good run at Doncaster behind High Acclaim in the Spring Mile. David Barron’s charge can get back on the scoresheet after posting some solid efforts in defeat this term.
Click here to Watch Balmoral Handicap Race 2017
1.Flaming Spear (R Winston, D K Ivory), 2.Hathal (R Winston, D K Ivory), 3.Mjjack (C Lee K, R Burke), 4.Circus Couture (J F Egan Jane, Chapple-Hyam), 5.Sharja Bridge (Andrea Atzeni, R Varian), 6.Mitchum Swagger (Harry Bentley, R M Beckett), 7.Safe Voyage (S P Davis J J Quinn), 8.Aquarium (F Norton, M Johnston), 9.Escobar (A Kirby, D O'Meara), 10.South Seas (Oisin Murphy, A M Balding)
Fashion at Ascot has always been part of the racing lore at Ascot. Ladies are always expected to dress demurely at Ascot. And on the last of glamorous dates in the horse racing calendar A-list guests are expected to arrive in long-sleeved dresses, nipped in at the waist teamed with wide-brimmed hats or striking facinators. Little black clutches, pearls and high heels should finish the simple yet elegant look this year. The boys should look equally smart in his morning suits.
Credit: Pallvi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com