A FANTASTIC British Champions Day to look forward to at Ascot with four Group 1 races, a Group 2 and a competitive Handicap to finish the card. Under normal circumstances you would pay the ticket price to watch one of these races, as there are so many stars on show.
It certainly could be a big day for the stars at the top of market and let’s hope that Stradivarius and Magical strike again at Ascot where they have performed so well.
Away from the favourites there are some excellent each way opportunities. including in the Balmoral Handicap and note at the time of writing Hartswood is a reserve. If Hartswood gets a run have an each way play.
Enjoy a great British Champions Day.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.20 Ascot – British Champions Day Long Distance Cup Group 2 (2m)
The wonderfully enthusiastic Stradivarius can strike here for the Frankie Dettori and John Gosden team, as today’s trip is very much his distance and he will love the going too. He is so consistent, and it is hard to see that the Arc took too much out of Stradivarius, given the pace of the race and the fact that he was hampered too.
Unibet 10/11 win
1.55 Ascot – British Champions Sprint Stakes Group 1 (6f)
The six-year-old gelding Dream Of Dreams has been in tremendous form this season and whilst the slightly patchy form of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard is a slight concern he has too much strong form to thwart his victory. The evidence is there with a second to the recently retired Hello Youmzain in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, ahead of an emphatic victory at Newbury in the Hungerford Stakes by seven lengths and then Dream Of Dreams showed further improvement at Haydock on his last start taking the Sprint Cup in the heavy.
Unibet 7/4 win
2.30 Ascot – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Group 1 (1m 4f)
Antonia De Vega (nap) can make the step up here and make it three from three in 2020.
Last time out at Newmarket she travelled really well and showed a great attitude to hold off a late challenge from Alpinista in a Group 3, having won a Listed contest at Pontefract previously. Ralph Beckett’s filly looks highly progressive and is certainly ground versatile, having won on the soft.
Unibet 9/2 win
3.05 Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Group 1 (1m)
Roseman (each way) can get the mix here for a place on his first start since July when he finished unplaced at Chantilly in a race that didn’t work out tactically. He had previously finished fourth to Circus Maximus (reopposes today) at the Royal Meeting on his first appearance since November, when comfortably beating Century Dream in the heavy. He clearly goes well fresh and the ground will be ideal.
Unibet 25/1 each way
3.40 Ascot – Champion Stakes Group 1 (1m 2f)
Magical, who never gets all the plaudits she deserves, can win at this meeting for the third year in succession and follow up on her 2019 success in the Champion Stakes. This mare is so tough and genuine and let’s remember Magical has seven Group 1 wins to her name and five seconds too, as well as being ground versatile too. Her last success when taking on the mighty Ghaiyyath at Leopardstown last time out was truly impressive and a hallmark of the characteristics that are so appealing about this mare.
Unibet 7/4 win
4.15 Ascot – Balmoral Handicap (1m)
Alternative Fact was third here at the Royal Meeting to Sir Busker (runs in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes) and looks sure to be involved here today. Ed Dunlop’s charge has had a good season and you can ignore his latest start at York last time out when given plenty to do. Ground is no problem and Frankie Dettori takes the ride.
Unibet 12/1 each way
Ropey Guest is a model of consistency and if ready to go on his first start since the end of August then this colt is a big price. Ropey Guest was fourth here at the Royal Meeting to Molatham at 33/1 and then finished third to Al Suhail at Newmarket in a Listed contest. He scored his first career success at Chelmsford last time out.
Unibet 25/1 each way
