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, the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
Sky Sports Racing covering our first QIPCO British Champions Day are seen by this Saturday and Im thrilled to be present. A card is but Im going to concentrate on the one, the Champion Stakes here. It has been documented that this race is among three run on the (internal ) hurdle monitor, but that means the ground wont be as testing as first feared. A love of gentle ground is required.
William Haggas five-year-old was beaten at this meeting 12 months before in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but that was his first run since May of that year as he didnt receive the earth he prefers. Hes been more busy this season and he has not done a terrific deal since whilst he had been disappointing at the Huxley Stakes back in May. He finished a respectable second to Elarqam at York, defeat Magic Wand to win the Wolferton in June following the deluge at the Royal meeting beat Pondus in heavy ground at Haydock at the Rose of Lancaster out time. Thus far however, hes come at the maximum level and the ground might not be analyzing enough to level the playing area with some of his opponents.
Theres no uncertainty Sir Michael Stoutes four-year-old has plenty of ability, but he also has a little quirk. This mile and a quarter is the trip, but whether he desires the floor soft is up for discussion. Conditions are possibly the least of his problems, due to his day he can give all of these a true fright and there is an opportunity that with age comes more adulthood, so not one to write away, but we may not see the very top of him until next year with a little more experience under his belt.
This elegant mare eventually got a pleasant Group 1 success to her title in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June and just like buses, she then made it 2 at the highest level using a win at the Prix Jean Romanet in Deauville a month or two back on her most recent start. She was
desperately unlucky not to reel at Magical in the Champion Fillies and Mares on this card last year and I believe she is well capable of making it an hat-trick of Group 1s in conditions that come up her road with Mr Ascot, Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
Japans Pop revealed she would cut it against some of the best females in Europe after winning the Nassau at Goodwood and is unlucky to not have possibly ripped two European Group 1s when denied victory in the Irish Champion Stakes when getting no sort of streak. She has been prices every time she has set foot on the track in Ireland and the united kingdom, but shouldnt be overlooked at the Champion Stakes in which she appears capable of making her presence felt. As she seems to be considerably more effective on a 20, the negative has to be the ground.
Aidan series looks to be playing with a role to her fancied stablemate Magical. The excursion moves, with her best efforts more than seven furlongs and a mile. That being said she ran the race of her own life at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 12 months back when beaten a neck into moment from Roaring Lion, but that was a mile and she hasnt replicated anything since.
What a mare shes. Shes danced every dance this year, only finishing out of their first two after since her win at the Fillies and Mares with this card last year. Out when fifth in the Prix de lArc de Triomphe which wasnt a poor effort by any means that came last time. Shes unlucky to be in the identical time as Enable as she has completed runner-up to her three times but there is no Permit in this and she has a wonderful probability of winning more. Shes tough and talented, although there might have to be a concern about the times shes put herself online this year. Requirements will have no fears for their own either.
Im a fan of Fox Tal and believe that he could measure up to the plate and be a light in the secure as a four-year-old next year of Andrew Balding. A month he pulverised his rivals in a RequirementsStakes at Doncasters St Leger meeting and I believe he has the makings of a class colt, whilst he has a lot to prove at the level. The ground is really a complete unknown, however he has. He is a enormous participant for me.
What he can have in his favour would be the floor, although he has a lot to do on bare evaluations. When circumstances are similar to this he yells. Id be amazed if he is good enough to ruffle a few of these feathers, although the trip suits him well.
This filly looked really smart when winning the Cheshire Oaks back in May and to be fair she has not done a excellent deal wrong since then. The Oaks was a shambles for her and I thought she was unlucky not to acquire against the Nassau Stakes. You are able to set a line by her run at ParisLongchamp in the Prix de lOpera the day as a whole just did not pan out for Frankie Dettori and because she was way too keen. Conditionsll be appreciated by her and she gives a second string to his bow to John Gosden.
Its possible it will not be soft enough for him, although addeybb is a mud lover that is confirmed. The horses I need in my side will be the duo; CORONET along with MEHDAAYIH of John Gosden. Coronet has come into its own this season and was a bit unlucky from the Fillies and Mares with this day this past year behind winner Magical. It is interesting theyve opted to go for this race as opposed to the Fillies and Mares and she is in the form of her life.
Mehdaayih is another filly I enjoy and you can set a line by her conduct at ParisLongchamp on Arc evening because she pulled hard and she looks value to me . Shes done very little wrong other than her display in the Prix de lOpera and when she hasnt gone across the top for your season can conduct another race that was great. I also believe Fox Tal can run a enormous race at an adequate cost. Its sure to be a contest.
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