Former jumps jockey Paul Callaghan has you covered with a selection for each race.
SATURDAY’S TIPS AT ASCOT
- 12:55 Arapaho Gold (5/2)
- 13:30 Highwayman (11/4) (NAP)
- 14:05 Division (10/1)
- 14:40 Sparan Nua (11/1)
- 15:20 Ten Bob Tony (15/2) (NB)
- 16:00 Calandagan (15/8)
- 16:35 Jagged Edge (20/1)
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12:55 6f Qatar Racing British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo)
Arapaho Gold finished a close third behind Nabati in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury when last seen. With only 8 runners in the field, Arapaho Gold was unable to get the ideal cover and ended up overracing in the early stages. As the race developed, Arapaho Gold challenged towards the far side as Nabati came with a wet sail towards the stands side running rail. It was a game effort to only go down by a half length.
Prior to that, he was a game winner of the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.
He’s talented, he’s tough, he’s quirky, and once again, Arapaho Gold is sure to give his supporters an eventful ride.
Selection: Arapaho Gold
13:30 2m (1m7f209y) Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Highwayman travelled strongly and quickened up nicely to win the St Leger at Doncaster when last seen. He didn’t look to be doing a lot in the closing stages and hit the line strongly, giving the impression that this step up to 2 miles should be well within his grasp.
It’s great to see Dylan Browne McMonagle, who made a remarkably quick recovery from his injuries sustained in a fall at Bellewstown in August, back in the saddle, and his mount, Highwayman, is one of my strongest fancies on the card.
Selection: Highwayman
14:05 6f Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Division is one of three runners for owner Wathnan Racing, and their retained jockey, James Doyle, was jocked up on Division long before the final declarations were made on Thursday morning.
Although Division was a little disappointing behind Hidden Force at Ascot last time out, he was drawn low and ended up tracking across closer to the stands-side running rail. Hidden Force got first run, and Division still had plenty to do approaching the final furlong, and in the end was only beaten by 3 lengths.
Prior to that race at Ascot, Division was just denied by Samangan in a Group 1 contest at Deauville.
The draw has been kinder to Division here, he’s drawn in stall 12, but due to his tendency to race keenly, Division is likely to be dropped in, and hopefully he will have a fast pace to aim at, which should eliminate any possible hard luck stories in the closing stages, and may the best horse win.
Selection: Division
14:40 1m4f (1m3f211y) Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
A chance is taken that the Jim Bolger-trained Sparan Nua can bounce back to the form that saw her get to within a short-head of Kalpana in the Yorkshire Oaks at York back in August. Denied a clear run as Kalpana kicked for home, Sparan Nua dug deep in the closing stages under jockey Rossa Ryan to push Kalpana all the way to the line.
I thought Sparan Nua ran a little flat in France last time. Jockey Rossa Ryan’s body language never looked entirely comfortable throughout. Rossa looked to be squeezing his mount to hold their position in the early stages. The filly probably did well to finish as close as she did and is taken to return to form here.
Selection: Sparan Nua
15:20 1m (Straight) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
I thought Ten Bob Tony put in a solid effort to finish second in the Prix du Moulin, over 1 mile at Longchamp last time out.
Prior to that, Ten Bob Tony finished 4 lengths behind Notable Speech in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes over 7 furlongs at York in August.
I think he’s better over 8 furlongs, and I think he can have a big say here.
Selection: Ten Bob Tony
16:00 1m (Straight) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Last year’s winner, Calandagan, disappointed in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June. He bounced back to form with victory in a Group 1 contest at Saint-Cloud in July and was last seen finishing second, behind Kalpana, in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot over 1m 4f towards the end of July.
Once again, it’s set to be a real thriller with last year’s second, Ombudsman, reopposing, but I think Calandagan will have enough to see off all challengers and retain his crown.
Selection: Calandagan
16:35 1m (Straight) Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) (Class 2) (3yo+)
Jockey Jack Kearney rode out his claim with a fine double at The Curragh on Thursday. He has struck up a successful partnership with trainer Stephen Thorne, who also runs Excellent Believe, but Jagged Edge is the mount of Castletown native Kearney.
Jagged Edge didn’t finish far behind Scoville in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot in June. He has since won at Killarney and was last seen finishing second, behind Meriden at Listowel in September.
Drawn in stall 12, Jagged Edge should give each-way supporters something to shout about in the final race on Champions Day at Ascot.
Selection: Jagged Edge
SATURDAY’S TIPS AT ASCOT
- 12:55 Arapaho Gold (5/2)
- 13:30 Highwayman (11/4) (NAP)
- 14:05 Division (10/1)
- 14:40 Sparan Nua (11/1)
- 15:20 Ten Bob Tony (15/2) (NB)
- 16:00 Calandagan (15/8)
- 16:35 Jagged Edge (20/1)
