UNFORTUNATELY no runners for us in the Grade Ones at Ascot on Champions Day but it is still a brilliant card and while it’s a shame we aren’t represented I shall enjoy watching the racing as much as everyone else.
The Long Distance Cup is a highly competitive event and I’d obviously be keen on Mojo Star if he was running but he had a hard race in the Ascot Gold Cup after a long layoff so we decided to give him the rest of the season off a bring him back ready for next year when hopefully he can make up for lost time and prove one of the top stayers.
Trueshan got beaten on ground which was obviously too quick for him at Doncaster last time but the going will be much more suitable here and he sets the standard under Hollie Doyle. Eldar Eldarov wasn’t stopping in the St Leger so will be suited by the step up in trip and we know he handles the course. That race looks like a match between the top two.
The Champions Sprint looks wide open but I thought Tenebrism showed a lot of speed in the Foret last time so she’ll be suited by the drop back in trip and I know Ryan is pretty keen on her. If the go quick, that will suit Kinross, who is also stepping down in trip, but arrives here in great shape.
I quite like Emily Upjohn in the Fillies and Mares because she’s had a break since the King George so should be fresher than most, which is an advantage at this time of the year. In fact it could be a good day for the Gosden’s who also saddle Inspiral in the QEII, a race we won with King Of Change a few years ago. Frankie’s mount was so impressive in the Coronation on her first run of the year and was just as good in the Marois last time. I can’t really see any flaws in her.
It’s great that Godolphin have pitched Adayar up against Baaeed in what is undoubtedly a fascinating Champions Stakes. Obviously Baaeed is unbeaten and will be incredibly hard to beat and I can’t see any reason why he won’t cap his marvellous career by winning this. But, it could prove quite tactical because Charlie’s horse gets further so will William Buick will probably try and turn the taps on early to make sure it’s a true test of stamina. Either way, it will be a great race!
4:40 Balmoral Handicap
This might (just) be a Handicap but it’s worth £200,000 so definitely worth targeting and I think we have a decent chance of getting some prize money.
Tacarib Bay ran a great race in a big Handicap here in July and is 2lbs lower in the weights which should help, along with the Blinkers first time. I thought he ran a little lazily at Newbury so hopefully they’ll sharpen him up. He likes a bit of cut and is a very good horse when things click; and if getting some luck in running I can easily see him put up a prominent show.
Mums Tipple has been in grand form all season and loves it around here. There’s not much between him and Escobar on their latest run over seven furlongs and I think the step (back) up to a mile is what he needs now, assuming he gets a run.
