WHAT a fantastic QIPCO British Champions Day card at Ascot with Mishriff and Adayar in the Champion Stakes, a very deep renewal of the QE11 featuring Palace Pier and Baaeed. In the first race Trueshan and Stradivarius renew rivalry from Arc Day, and this could be the last time we see the mighty Stradivarius on a racecourse. What a performer Stradivarius has been and with a crowd of 25,000 at Ascot he will get a tremendous reception win or lose.
We have the climax of the flat jockeys championship with Oisin Murphy and William Buick, which could be decided in the Balmoral Handicap, the last race of the card.
I’m looking forward to being at Ascot on what will be a brilliant day of racing.
Enjoy whether at Ascot or #athome
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
2.00 Ascot – Champions Sprint Group 1 (6f)
Vadream dropping back to 6f was ideal last time here at Ascot two weeks ago when she always travelled well and found plenty when Kings Lynn came to challenge. At Royal Ascot over 7f Vadream was two lengths third to Creative Force in the Jersey Stakes when running really well. This filly is hitting her best form at the right time in an open looking renewal.
Unibet 14/1 each way
Brando has only finished once out of the first four at Ascot on six starts and has been fourth and second in the last two renewals. This nine-year-old can reward each-way backers after some unlucky runs this season.
Unibet 20/1 each way
2.35 Ascot – Fillies & Mares Stakes Group 1 (1m 4f)
Invite improved a chunk on his first start for Andrew Balding in September, when travelling best and looking the winner a long way out at Chester when easily beating some higher-rated rivals with plenty to spare. He needs another step forward but has conditions to suit, and could easily do that here in what is a weak Group 1.
Unibet 5/1
3.10 Ascot – QEII Group 1 (1m)
Baaeed is the selection to retain his unbeaten record and just hold off his main rival Palace Pier in a fantastic contest. Baaeed had his first start at Leicester in June and has looked something special in all his starts, including at the July Festival at Newmarket through to the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last time out. He has a great attitude, ground will be fine and if he takes to Ascot he will strike with a career best.
Unibet 9/4
3.50 Ascot – Champion Stakes Group 1 (1m 2f)
Mishriff and Adayar are clearly closely matched on form but this is a tough ask for Adayar just a fortnight after the Arc.In contrast Mishriff hasn’t raced since winning the Juddmonte International at York is such emphatic style, beating a top class field in the process. Last year in the Champion Stakes Mishrif was well beaten by Addeybb in truly testing conditions and with this year’s ground good to soft with little rain forecast then this favours Mishriff over his ideal trip.
Unibet 6/4 win
4.30 Ascot – Balmoral Handicap (1m)
Nugget (nap) for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon has a really good chance here from stall 7. Nugget won a shade cosily at Haydock last time out after a break, which will have put him spot on for the Balmoral. He has season form figures of 3121 and he showed on his second start of 2021 when beating Danyah at Newbury over the straight mile that Ascot should suit him. The drying ground will be in his favour and Ryan Moore takes the ride as he did at Newbury.
Unibet 7/1 each way
Sir Busker from stall 3 might have top weight but he drops back into handicap company, and it is worth remembering he was a close fourth in the QEII at the meeting last year, as well as third behind Palace Pier at Royal Ascot this year in the Queen Anne Stakes. Sir Busker has won over this straight mile, having taken the Silver Hunt Cup a couple of years ago, and a 3lb drop for latest effort in a messy race at Sandown, which didn’t suit him tactically, all works in his favour.
Unibet 12/1 each way
