The 2021 Flat season reaches its crescendo on Champions Day, Ascot’s showpiece meeting that features a cracking six-race card headlined by Mishriff and Adayar’s rematch in the Qipco Champion Stakes (3.50).
Watch all the action from Ascot (1.25-4.30pm) via live streaming when logged into MansionBet, along with every race from the UK and Ireland.
Racing Post tipster Tom Collins previews Saturday’s action at Ascot for MansionBet.
1.25 Ascot – Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup
Cadran winner Trueshan, who is undoubtedly the horse to beat after his Longchamp romp but is skinny enough in the market, and regular foe Stradivarius are sure to dominate the betting for the Long Distance Cup. This year’s edition is an attractive each-way heat and the Andrew Balding-trained BERKSHIRE ROCCO appears to be sneaking under the radar. Last year’s St Leger runner-up has been aimed at this race all year and will get ideal ground conditions.
Selection: Berkshire Rocco – 14/1
2.00 Ascot – Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes
The vast majority of runners in this 6f Group 1 have been plying their trade in all the big sprints since the start of the season, and there’s a strong likelihood that a couple may be over the top now that autumn has arrived. That could open the door for the anomaly, MINZAAL, who has only had five runs in his career and proved his talent with a decisive success in last year’s Gimcrack. He travelled beautifully on his return and should be better suited by an extra furlong.
Selection: Minzaal – 13/2
2.35 Ascot – Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Official ratings suggest Oaks winner Snowfall is near-enough untouchable in what appears to be a below-par running of the Fillies & Mares. She has 10lb in hand on her nearest rival, ALBAFLORA, and receives weight from the Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old, but returns just 13 days after a tough race in the Arc and may not perform to her best. Albaflora is the solid alternative given she wasn’t all that far behind Snowfall in the Yorkshire Oaks and boasts winning form here.
Selection: Albaflora – 5/1
3.10 Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Punters are desperate to find the next Frankel and Baaeed is the latest equine star to be compared to the greatest racehorse in recent years. He has been extremely visually impressive in each start but his form isn’t stacking up, proven by Moulin runner-up Order Of Australia disappointing next time. As a result, the vote in this year’s QEII has to go to PALACE PIER, a proven champion who had plausible excuses for his sole defeat in this race last year.
Selection: Palace Pier – 11/8
3.50 Ascot – Qipco Champion Stakes
Perhaps the most mouthwatering contest on an exceptional card is the rematch between MISHRIFF and Adayar, who faced each other in a thrilling edition of the King George earlier this year. The latter got the better of his older rival that day but is 7lb worse off as he bids to confirm the form. I prefer Mishriff, who has been kept fresh for this race after romping home in the Juddmonte International. He will prefer this 1m2f trip, too.
Selection: Mishriff – 6/4
4.30 Ascot – Balmoral Handicap
John and Thady Gosden may have entered two Group horses into a handicap here. Sunray Major could be chucked in off a 6lb higher mark than when bolting up over 7f at this track last month, but there’s slightly more juice in the price of KING LEONIDAS, who was sent off favourite for the Jersey last season. He caught the eye with a strong-staying third on his return at Newbury and should be suited by the drop in trip and return to turf.
Selection: King Leonidas – 11/2
*All odds correct at time of writing.