Alex Hammond previews the Champion Stakes at Ascot
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond Has a look at the feature race in Ascot on British Champions Day.
Sky Sports Racing covering our QIPCO British Champions Day are seen by this Saturday and I am delighted to be there. There is a cardbut Im going to focus on the one here. Its been documented that this race is one of three run on the (internal ) obstacle monitor, but that means the earth wont be as testing as first feared. Having said that, a love of gentle earth is necessary.
William Haggas five-year-old was beaten in this meeting 12 months ago at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but that was his first run since May of the year as he did not receive the earth he prefers. He has been marginally more busy this season and he has not done a great deal wrong because, whilst he was disappointing at the Huxley Stakes at Chester back in May. He finished a respectable second to Elarqam in York, defeat Magic Wand to win against the Wolferton in June beat Pondus in heavy ground time out. So far however, hes come in the highest level and the ground might not be analyzing sufficient to level the playing area.
He has a quirk, although there is no doubt Sir Michael Stoutes four-year-old has got plenty of ability. This mile and a quarter is his trip, but whether he wants the floor tender is up for debate. Requirements are maybe the least of his problems, due to his day that he could give all these a real fright and there is a chance that with age comes more adulthood, so none to write off, but we may not find the top of him until next season with a little more experience under his belt.
This elegant mare eventually got a pleasant Group 1 success to her name at the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at June and only like buses, she then made it two at the highest level having a win at the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville a couple of months ago on her most recent start. She was desperately unlucky not to reel at Magical at the Champion Fillies and Mares
with this card this past year and I think shes well capable of making it a hat-trick of Group 1s in states that are right up her street with Mr Ascot, Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
Japans sweetheart showed she could cut it against some of the greatest females in Europe after winning the Nassau at Goodwood and is unfortunate not to have potentially ripped two European Group 1s when denied victory in the Irish Champion Stakes when obtaining no sort of run. Shes been prices every time shes set foot on the track in Ireland and the UK, but shouldnt be overlooked at the Champion Stakes at which she looks capable of making her presence felt. As she appears to be a lot more effective on a sounder 20, the negative needs to be the ground.
Aidan OBriens second string looks like playing a role to her fancied stablemate Magical that is . The excursion moves, more than a mile and seven furlongs together with her finest attempts. With that said she ran into the race of her life from the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 12 weeks back after beaten a neck by Roaring Lion into second, but that was over a mile and she has never replicated anything like that since.
What a super mare shes. She has enjoyed every dance this season finishing from their two after since her win in the Fillies and Mares with this card last year. Out when fifth in the Prix de lArc de Triomphe and that wasnt a bad effort by any means This came last time. Shes unfortunate to be at precisely the identical time as Enable as she has finished runner-up in the highest level in the previous 12 months to her three times, but there is no Enable in this and she has a great prospect of winning more. There would need to be a concern about the times she has put herself but she is tough and exceptionally talented. Conditions will have no fears for their own either.
Im a fan of Fox Tal and think that he could step up to the plate as well as a light in Andrew Baldings secure as a four-year-old followingyear. A month, he also pulverised his rivals in a Requirements Stakes at Doncasters St Leger meeting and I think hes the makings of a class colt, whilst he has to prove at this degree. He has, although the ground is really a complete unknown. Hes a huge each-way participant for me.
What he can have in his favour would be your ground, although Hes a lot to perform evaluations that are bare. When circumstances are like this, he thrives. I would be amazed if he is good enough to ruffle some of those feathers, although the trip suits him well.
This filly looked very smart to be honest she has not done a excellent deal incorrect since then and when winning back the Cheshire Oaks in May. The Oaks was a shambles because of her and I thought that she was unlucky not to acquire the Nassau Stakes. You may put a line through her conduct at ParisLongchamp at the Prix de lOpera because she was way too keen and the afternoon as a whole just didnt pan out for Frankie Dettori. Conditionsll be appreciated by her and John Gosden is given a second string to his bow by her.
Addeybb is a sand fan that is confirmed, but its likely it will not be soft enough for him. The horses that I need in my side would be John Gosdens duo; MEHDAAYIH and CORONET. Coronet has come into its own this season and was definitely a touch unlucky in the Fillies and Mares on this day last year behind winner . It is interesting they have opted to opt for this race as opposed to the Fillies and Mares again and shes in the kind of her life.
Mehdaayih is another filly I enjoy and you can set a line on Arc by her run at ParisLongchamp evening because she pulled too hard and she seems decent value to me . She has done little wrong other and if she has not gone over the top for its season can conduct another race. I think a huge race cans run . Its guaranteed to be a contest.
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