Here we preview what promises to be a fantastic day of action at Ascot, with so many stars on show.
We provide an insight to a number of runners from each race, and also give our selections and each-way fancies.
(All prices are correct at time of writing)
Trueshan v Stradivarius (III) (Long Distance Cup 1:25)
The Ascot Champions Day race card opens with the best of the stayers in the Group 2 British Champions Long Distance Cup.
Favourite Trueshan won this race 12 months ago, beating a lacklustre Stradivarius who was returning to one of his favourite tracks on the back of a tough Arc bid in heavy ground.
This season fans had been hoping to see a rematch between the two, but had to wait until Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend.
Trueshan avoided the Ascot Gold Cup due to conditions, and Stradivarius pulled out ahead of a potential Goodwood Cup clash.
Unfortunately Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist suffered a season-ending injury, so we have been unable to see him go up against the two.
But the staying division’s crown is up for grabs once again, as regular champion Stradivarius has something to prove against the new kid on the block.
It’ll be difficult to see both race in conditions that suit, as Trueshan loves it soft but Stradivarius prefers it good.
Perhaps we’ll get the current good to soft going on Saturday and both will line-up.
If it is on the worse side of soft it is likely John & Thady Gosden will make the decision not to run their star stayer, and likewise Alan King with Trueshan if the rain stays away and the ground is better.
Trueshan has raced on good to soft previously, and he has won on good ground too, but connections have been adamant he is at his best on soft.
Stradivarius won his most impressive race at Ascot in 2020 in soft conditions, but to see his true turn of foot conditions have to be better.
We will hopefully see both horses race and if both can perform to their current best, we are likely to see a superb renewal on Champions Day to kick off a fantastic card.
Of the others, Princess Zoe is certainly one-to-watch for Anthony Mullins.
The grey mare is an eye-catcher, and her greatest success came in the 2020 renewal of the Prix du Cadran.
She attempted to regain her crown this year, but couldn’t compete with the two that lead the market here, which indicates she’ll struggle to win this one.
The six-year-old cannot be discounted however, and is more than capable on her day.
She finished second in the Ascot Gold Cup in June, and second in the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes, and will be looking to win her first race this season at odds of 8/1.
Baron Samedi and Master Of Reality are Irish raiders for Joseph O’Brien.
Baron Samedi won over two miles at Belmont Park (USA) in June on similar ground, and showed his staying ability by coming third in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh last month.
He also recorded seven straight wins between August 2020 and June 2021.
He is the more fancied of the pair, currently at odds of 8/1, whilst his stablemate is available at 33/1.
Master Of Reality rarely runs over further than 1m6f, but did finish second over two miles at Flemington (AUS) in the Melbourne Cup in 2019, before being disqualified and placed fourth.
Aidan O’Brien sends over The Mediterranean, who has run consistently this season in competitive races, without quite being able to dominate a race.
He was beaten nine-and-a-half lengths as evens favourite most recently in the Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh, and will need to improve massively to challenge here.
However, at 20/1 he can’t be ruled out as an each-way player receiving plenty of weight from the majority of his rivals.
Hamish and Roberto Escobarr both run for William Haggas, and the former is currently third-favourite and could play a part in the finish.
The five-year-old hasn’t run over further than 1m6f, but has looked as though he’s capable of further and will be ridden by Tom Marquand.
Andrew Balding’s Berkshire Rocco has only been seen twice this year, but finished a neck behind Galileo Chrome in last year’s St Leger.
Morando, Tashkhan and Nicholas T are difficult to fancy at bigger prices in this field.
Our verdict: We believe reigning champion Trueshan showed how good he is last time out at Longchamp, however it is difficult to go against a legend and Stradivarius is as good as they come on his day.
If the ground remains the better side of soft, we expect Stradivarius to show that blistering turn of foot that he still has, despite his senior status, and overcome Trueshan, to regain the Long Distance Cup at odds of 3/1.
EW selection: Master Of Reality 33/1 (30/1 – 4 places with Bet365)
Oisin Murphy’s best chance of the day (Sprint Stakes 2:00)
The Flat Jockey Championship comes to a close on Saturday, and (at the time of writing) only two winners separate reigning champion Oisin Murphy and William Buick.
It looked as though Murphy had the title wrapped up a few months ago, before Buick enjoyed a fantastic run of form helped by Charlie Appleby’s rising stars.
It looks to go down to the wire, and with Buick aboard Adayar in the Champion Stakes to come, Murphy will be keen to find a winner here with Dragon Symbol.
Dragon Symbol currently disputes favouritism with Art Power in what looks to be an extremely competitive renewal of the Sprint Stakes.
Dragon Symbol was a beaten favourite at the Curragh last time out, and will be looking for his first win since May having been controversially demoted to second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.
The three-year-old colt has been consistent since his debut success in March, and has only failed to finish outside the top three once in his ten runs to date.
He has finished first past the post on five occasions – can he claim the win here for trainer Archie Watson?
Art Power comes into this race on the back of success in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month.
He finished fourth in this race last year, and is likely to compete once again, but isn’t quite as consistent as the aforementioned Dragon Symbol, and would need to be at his best.
Rohaan will pair up with Ryan Moore, and the gelding has been disappointing since winning the Wokingham Stakes in June.
He will need to bounce back to his early season form and conditions will suit here.
Creative Force is Buick’s mount, but the son of Dubawi has struggled to fire since winning four in a row at the beginning of the season.
He won here in June over 7f on soft ground, and could find 6f too sharp here against some likeable types.
Kinross beat Creative Force at Goodwood in July over 7f, giving seven pounds to the younger horse.
He is an 11/1 shot currently, whilst Creative Force is at 13/2.
Frankie Dettori will ride for Ralph Beckett, but Kinross is dropping down in trip to 6f for the first time.
Minzaal represents Shadwell for Owen Burrows and Jim Crowley, and finished second on reappearance here at the beginning of the month, following 12 months off track.
Three-year-old filly Happy Romance isn’t without a chance, but is usually better on good ground although she has won on good to soft previously.
Glen Shiel won this race last year, and could be more fancied if the rain comes but has been poor recently, whilst Vadream is capable of a good run on her day.
Gustavus Weston has won a Group 2 and more recently a Group 3 this season over in Ireland, and her Group 3 win looks impressive considering the horses in behind.
Recent Listed winner Power Under Me finished two-and-a-quarter lengths behind Joseph Murphy’s gelding at the Curragh in August, and the Prix de l’Abbaye winner A Case Of You was in third ahead of Teresa Mendoza and Light Refrain.
On this form Gustavus Weston looks a big price at 20/1, and is worth an each-way punt back at his favoured 6f distance.
Old favourite Brando finished a nose behind Glen Shiel here last year and is currently 33/1, whilst 25/1 shot Thunder Moon must improve to contend.
Highfield Princess has impressed us with her consistency this season, but a drop back in trip and a step up to Group 1 company could prove too much for her.
A shock 150/1 winner at Royal Ascot last year, Nando Parrado is 66/1 here having failed to fire during this campaign.
Our verdict: In what could be a very tight finish if the top three in the market all run their race, we fancy Dragon Symbol to get his nose in front to help Murphy on his quest for success.
Many are capable of putting up a challenge on their day, and plenty of the bigger prices are likely to contend for the places.
Rohaan marginally beat Dragon Symbol at Haydock in May, but Rohaan hasn’t been on form recently, and Dragon Symbol looks the most reliable selection here at 9/2.
EW selection: Gustavus Weston 20/1 (18/1 – 4 places with Bet365, 16/1 – 6 places with SkyBet)
Snowfall in October (Fillies & Mares Stakes 2:35)
Snowfall (nap) heads the market for Aidan O’Brien in this renewal, reappearing after a respectable sixth-placed finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on heavy ground at Longchamp.
O’Brien’s filly appeared unbeatable as a three-year-old, winning her first four races of the campaign, including three Group 1s, by big margins, but didn’t fire in the Prix Vermeille last month.
She beat her closest market rival here, Albaflora, in the Yorkshire Oaks by four-lengths in August and there’s little indication that the form could be reversed, despite Albaflora preferring a softer surface.
There is very little to dislike about Snowfall, and she is a capable performer regardless of ground conditions.
Albaflora is quite possibly the best of the rest, but Invite won a Listed race most recently and will try to get involved in the places.
Roger Varian’s Eshaada started her racing career well, but disappointed on last outing in the Yorkshire Oaks behind the top two in the market here, and bigger priced La Joconde.
She has good form behind recent Prix de Royallieu winner Loving Dream however, finishing three-quarters-of-a-length behind her in the Ribblesdale Stakes in June, and finishing ahead of Nicest who runs in a Grade 1 at Keeneland on Saturday.
Tribal Craft finished nine-lengths ahead of Albaflora in the Lillie Langtry Stakes, finishing two-lengths behind recently retired star filly Wonderful Tonight, and could have each-way claims at 20/1 given she is able to replicate that form.
The aforementioned La Joconde is O’Brien’s second runner in the race, and a 1-2 for the Ballydoyle maestro wouldn’t be a complete surprise.
Lady Hayes and Mystery Angel are the outsiders, and both are capable of a placed finish if at their best here.
Our verdict: Our best bet of the day is Snowfall at 5/6 and, despite being odds on, the price available seems a big one given her class in comparison with her rivals.
She ran well in the Arc, facing the colts for the first time, and is a reliable sort.
Trainer O’Brien will surely get her in tip top condition for this race, and her opponents today will have to run beyond their best to worry her here.
EW selection: Tribal Craft 20/1 (3 places)
The battle of the milers (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 3:10)
Potential superstar Baaeed takes on the proven champion Palace Pier in this fascinating renewal.
Palace Pier earned a Timeform rating of 132 for his win in last season’s Prix Jacques le Marois, and became the highest-rated miler since his sire, Kingman.
He became the highest-rated horse in training following Ghaiyaath’s retirement and his only loss to date came here in this race last year.
On that day, Palace Pier was a beaten third, The Revenant claiming the prize, but had excuses as he lost a shoe coming out of the stalls and wasn’t quite able to handle the ground.
The Revenant prefers a slog, but isn’t likely to get it here, and has a tough test on his hands against the market’s top two.
Baaeed is unbeaten, and has huge potential.
The son of Sea The Stars would announce himself as a world-beater if able to overcome his formidable opponents in this race.
He won the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last time out, and the ground promises to be perfect for him, whilst Palace Pier has recorded wins in the Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes and the Marois this season.
Master Of The Seas runs for Godolphin at current odds of 7/1, and finished third last time out on his first run since finishing a close second to Poetic Flair in the 2000 Guineas.
On that form, he could well challenge the top two here, but would need to show plenty of improvement to win this.
Andrew Balding’s Alcohol Free is dropping back down to a mile and beat Poetic Flair in the Sussex Stakes earlier on in the season.
On this form, she is a worthy contender for the places if she runs her race.
Regular jockey Oisin Murphy will once again ride the filly.
Benbatl beat Master Of The Seas last month, but is more than double his price here at 20/1.
Nassau Stakes winner Lady Bowthorpe finished a length-and-a-half behind Palace Pier in the Lockinge Stakes in May, and it’s difficult to see her reversing form with the colt.
However, at 20/1 she is certainly capable of claiming a place.
Mother Earth for Aidan O’Brien was well beaten in the Sun Chariot Stakes, but unlucky in running at Leopardstown in the Matron Stakes on prior run.
The 1000 Guineas and Prix Rothschild is another capable of competing for the places at a decent price of 20/1.
Njord for Jessica Harrington won here last year in the Balmoral Handicap, but it’s difficult to see him competing at this level.
Eight-year-old Lord Glitters is a 100/1 outsider here, but the grey can go well on his day and may be worth a punt with bookmakers paying extra places.
Our verdict: Palace Pier (13/8) could have been coming here unbeaten if things had gone his way in last year’s renewal, and John & Thady Gosden’s colt is the highest-rated of a classy field.
Baaeed has the potential, but has to prove himself against the best here and it’s difficult to see anyone overcoming Palace Pier.
EW selection: Lady Bowthorpe 20/1 (18/1 – 4 places with SkyBet)
Mishriff v Adayar (II) (Champion Stakes 3:50)
Mishriff has won over £11million in prize money over the course of his career, and returns to action here following his Juddmonte International win in August.
He is currently favourite with bookmakers at 6/4, and is the third highest-rated European Flat horse in training.
Finishing a disappointing eighth in this last year, Mishriff then went to Riyadh and won the Saudi Cup before winning the Sheema Classic at Meydan.
He finished a length-and-three-quarters behind Derby hero Adayar here in July in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
On that day, Mishriff gave 11lbs to his younger rival, but will only concede 4lbs here.
Adayar finished fourth at Longchamp last time out, in a tough race on heavy ground in his bid for the Arc.
Addeybb finished second to St Marks Basilica in the Coral-Eclipse in July, whilst Mishriff was a neck behind in third.
That was a four-runner tactical affair, however, and Mishriff supporters will surely fancy him to finish ahead of William Haggas’ gelding this time around.
Dubai Honour is another runner for Haggas, and the three-year-old caught our eye when finishing fourth in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Since then he has won all three of his races; a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket, the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Group 2) in Deauville and the Prix Dollar (Group 2) at Longchamp.
French raider Sealiway finished fifth in the Arc, three-quarters-of-a-length behind Adayar, and has each-way claims at 14/1.
He finished second to St Marks Basilica in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) and is comfortable on any ground.
Al Aasy drops back in trip and finished a close second to Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup in June.
Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet didn’t fire at Epsom, but has enjoyed success at Belmont Park (USA) since.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, and a son of Galileo, he is a huge price at 33/1 at a trip that is more suited.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run better on his British reappearance.
Mac Swiney hasn’t reproduced his Irish 2000 Guineas form, and was well beaten by Mishriff in the Juddmonte International.
It’s unlikely he will get his desired softer ground, and he has a lot to find with other runners here.
Outsiders Foxes Tales and Euchen Glen are both likely to find the race too competitive.
Our verdict: Mishriff is the one to beat, and he is sure to be thereabouts at the finish, but at a bigger price the progressive Dubai Honour is fancied.
Adayar won the Derby very impressively, but didn’t quite do what was expected at Longchamp.
Excuses can be made, but he won’t be receiving as much weight from Mishriff here, and will need to prove himself.
Addeybb is one to watch if the ground is softer, but Dubai Honour is our selection at 8/1 (5/1 – without Mishriff on Bet356).
EW selection: Bolshoi Ballet 33/1 (28/1 – 4 places with SkyBet)
The finale (Balmoral Handicap 4:30)
Champions Day ends with a Class 2 handicap over a mile.
Juddmonte’s Sunray Major heads the betting for the Gosdens and Dettori, and is bidding for a hat-trick having won comfortably here last time out.
His stablemate King Leonidas is currently second favourite, and Magical Morning is another for the Gosden training partnership at a bigger price of 25/1
Nugget for Richard Hannon has been a consistent performer this season, and could go well again here.
Aldaary won well here beating fifteen rivals recently, on heavy ground, and steps back up in trip.
Sir Busker has been running in competitive races, and could defy top weight under Oisin Murphy, whilst Irish raider Raise You was a fancy for last month’s Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, before being declared a non-runner.
Escobar finished ahead of Sir Busker in a Listed race at Sandown recently, and shouldn’t be ruled out at 20/1.
The aforementioned Magical Morning won a competitive handicap at Sandown in July and finished second in another at York in August, but is relatively inconsistent.
Dashing Roger could be a progressive type if able to keep improving following three good runs, but has a high draw to overcome.
Johan beat Dashing Roger in June and was fourth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood behind Escobar and Rhoscolyn.
Shelir won comfortably last time out and is currently a 25/1 shot, and outsider of the field Oh This Is Us can cause an upset on his day and is at 66/1.
Our verdict: In a handicap that is difficult to predict, the draw could prove pivotal, and Sunray Major will have stall 21 to overcome if he is to win this.
Sir Busker will carry top-weight, as mentioned, but has good form this season against some well thought of horses.
Our selection, however, is Shelir at 25/1, who will run from stall 13.
He comes into this race after an impressive win, and if able to recapture that form he’s likely to be there or thereabouts here.
EW selection: Oh This Is Us 66/1 (4 places, 50/1 – 6 places with SkyBet)
KM
THE CONDITIONAL 