The Mandarin’s Ascot British Champions Day Racecard for 19th October 2024

The Mandarin’s Ascot British Champions Day Racecard for 19th October

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) 1.20
Al Nayyir
The outstanding stayer of his generation, Kyprios will line up as a hot favourite to win the opener on British Champions Day. However, he was beaten in this last year by Trawlerman, and with just a two week break from his win in the Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp can be opposed. With Trawlerman used to a better surface, it could be Al Nayyir that is the one to get the better of Kyprios, having come into Tom Clover’s yard from France, so will be very comfortable on ground this deep. Al Nayyir won with plenty in hand at Newmarket last time out, and arrives at the top of his game, so can spring the surprise on the jolly.

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) 1.55
Kinross (nap)
The Champions Sprint can go to Ralph Beckett’s admirable Kinross, who won this in 2022, and just failed to hold on to the lead last year when Art Power won by a neck. That said, conditions here are perfect for Art Power, and he looks a super each-way chance at big odds, though hasn’t really set the world alight this season and has risks attached. Karl Burke has had a fine season, especially with his sprinters, and the Spigot Lodge handler is triple-handed with Elite Status, Spycatcher and Swingalong, with Spycatcher the one to watch. William Haggas probably holds the best chance of beating Kinross with either Montassib or Unequal Love, while Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mill Stream is a class act on his day, and French raider Beauvatier is an interesting outsider. Kinross to return to winning ways after going down to Ramatuelle in the Prix de la Foret last time out, with Beauvatier and Mill Stream to keep him honest.

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) 2.35
Queen Of The Pride
On the day that Oisin Murphy will collect the Champion Jockey title for the fourth time, Queen Of The Pride can put some icing on the cake with Group One honours. She ran no sort of race when last and eased in the Yorkshire Oaks back in August, but gets better conditions here, and is taken to bounce back and make it a third win of this term. Aidan O’Brien’s Content rates the main danger after a fine win in the Yorkshire Oaks, but has to bounce back from a down the field finish in the Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp last time out, while there’s been plenty of support for Andrew Balding’s Kalpana, a progressive filly but untried on this surface. Aidan O’Brien’s Prix de Royallieu winner, Grateful, is the each-way angle, but Queen Of The Pride gets the win vote.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) 3.15
Charyn
Roger Varian’s stable star is hard to oppose for this Group One, with conditions ideal and course form notable. For all that, Champion Jockey elect, Oisin Murphy has a great chance with the hat-trick seeking Tamfana, whose win in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket showed that this Soldier Hollow filly deserves her place at the top table. There’s a 6lb pull in the weights for Tamfana, which could prove telling on this deep ground, but Charyn is one right out of the top drawer, while French raider Facteur Cheval and Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow complete the shortlist. Charyn to prove just a tad too good for these, so gets the nudge

Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) 3.55
Economics (nb)
An absolute cracker in store where France, Britain and Ireland send out their best three year olds for this ten furlong trip. Arguably, Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles is better over a mile and a half, but on ground with this much cut there’ll be an emphasis on stamina, so this Camelot colt seems sure to be in the shake up. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan returns to the scene of his stunning 6 length win in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting, though on a very different surface, but this Gleneagles gelding has had plenty of support in the ante-post markets. However, William Haggas’s Economics has looked something special since beating Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, and will try to join an elite club by becoming just the seventh horse to bag both Champion Stakes titles. This Night Of Thunder colt went well enough on good to soft ground at Deauville when scoring at Deauville in August, so the chance is taken he’ll act on this ground. French raider Iresine and Nashwa will have no issues with the going here, so are interesting each-way punts, but Economics is one to follow for the win.

Balmoral Handicap 4.35
Thunder Run
Karl Burke’s progressive Night Of Thunder gelding is as good a bet as any for the closer at Ascot. With wins at Thirsk, Hamilton & York this season, he’s now three from five with a second and third to pad out an impressive formbook. Untried on soft ground, it has to be taken on trust that he will act on this surface, but Ryan Moore gets the leg-up and is sure to give it a good go. Irish raider State Actor is one to keep tabs on, while top weight Holloway Boy, also from Karl Burke’s in-form stable lines up after a Group 3 win at Haydock Park, so should also get involved, with Toimy Son likely to go well under Oisin Murphy for David Menuisier’s yard that is going great guns at the back end of this season. Karl Burke to nab this with Thunder Run, with stablemate Holloway Boy and Toimy Son to pick up the place money.

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