Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at on Champions day at Ascot on Saturday. View selections below.
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MISHRIFF (3.40) boasts strong credentials in the Qipco Champion Stakes run under testing conditions at Ascot.
John Gosden’s colt has proved a revelation this season, landing the French Derby at Chantilly before an effortless success in Group 2 company at Deauville (heavy) in August. The Gosden-Frankie Dettori axis should prove a profitable one on Champions Day.
Likely favourite Magical has been a fine ambassador for Aidan O’Brien and his mare took Addeybb’s scalp in this race last year, but only narrowly. Addeybb seems an attractive each-way alternative at around 8-1 generally. Royal Ascot winner Lord North is a potent Gosden ‘second string’ and should play a role, while the likes of Pyledriver and Derby winner Serpentine will have their supporters. Skalleti scooped the Prix Dollar at Longchamp a fortnight ago and is also pitched into the fray.
DREAM OF DREAMS (1.55) has the look of a banker bet in the British Champions Sprint Stakes.
Sir Michael Stoute’s six-year-old revels in the mud and mopped up the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock in straight-forward fashion. He would have caught Hello Youmzain in another stride in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and looks a different proposition than 12 months ago when floundering in rear behind Donjuan Triumphant. July Cup winner Oxted has had a wind operation and may struggle under these arduous conditions, so in-form mare One Master could be the one to shake-up the favourite.
The 1m 4f Fillies and Mares Stakes is an open affair, with Irish challenger EVEN SO (2.30) the each-way recommendation trading around 6-1 in most books.
She landed the Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July and may have needed the outing when only sixth in the Prix Vermeille on her return to action at Longchamp last month. Even So is capable of reversing form with third-placed Dame Malliot, Laburnum (fourth) and Wonderful Tonight (fifth). Antonia De Vega is a dual winner this summer but could manage only sixth in this race last year.
PALACE PIER (3.05) is sure to be sent off a red-hot favourite to land the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over the straight mile. Gosden’s colt extended his unbeaten record to five when last seen winning at Deauville on heavy in August, with re-opposing Circus Maximus five lengths adrift in third. French raider The Revenant goes in the ground and is bidding to go one better than last year when chasing home King Of Change.
TEMPUS (4.15) ran respectably well when sixth in the Cambridgeshire, possibly finding the track drying out too quickly and going against him. Ascot will be riding much slower and Tempus can put his best foot forward in the Balmoral Handicap.
Roger Charlton’s classy four-year-old has winning form on soft and although stall six probably isn’t ideal, Tempus is berthed alongside likely favourite Raaeq. Mud-lover King Ottokar hasn’t been at his best so far this season but could bounce back, along with top weight Raising Sand.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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