Farewell for another year from Ascot
... at least on the Flat anyway. The highlight on the latest Champions Day was definitely the victory of Magical in the Champion Stakes. Let’s hope we see her at the Breeders’ Cup - she’s such a tough mare and Aidan O’Brien – remarkably winning the race for the first time – said: “She is just incredible, but she is classy as well. What can you say about her? She is the ultimate racehorse, that is what she is. She is incredible. It looks like she is still progressing, which is amazing. The [lads] have to decide whether they want to go to the Breeders’ Cup or not, and that would be the next one if they decide they want to go.”
Stradivarius was just run out of it in the gruelling Long Distance Cup and, apart from Star Catcher, it was a frustrating day for Stradivarius’ jockey Frankie Dettori, who was runner-up in the last race too. Racing on the inner (hurdles) course, where the Long Distance Cup was run, did not seem to have a detrimental effect on the action and Ascot certainly have that option in future for Champions Day. Hope you enjoyed the day and see you next time.
Updated
Balmoral Handicap (4.40) result
1 Escobar (A Kirby) 16-1
2 Lord North (L Dettori) 3-1 Fav
3 Mitchum Swagger (Rob Hornby) 28-1
4 Glen Shiel (Hollie Doyle) 18-1
20 ran
Non Runner: 8
Balmoral Handicap (4.40)
And they’re off ... Waarif is prominent early ... Coolagh Forest just the leader at halfway ... Lord North makes a challenge ... Escobar comes very late with a strong run to win with ease.
Updated
You can find a full report of the Champion Stakes here
Balmoral Handicap (4.40) preview
A 12lb rise for winning the Cambridgeshire makes this tough for Lord North but the way he shot forwards once in the clear that day suggests he really does belong in a higher grade and he can end the day on a high for the Gosden/Dettori team. Kynren was a fair fifth a year ago but was running on empty at the line and is 8lb higher now.
Balmoral Handicap (4.40) betting
- Lord North – 4/1
- Amedeo Modgliani – 11/2
- Kynren – 7/1
- Clon Coulis – 15/2
- Biometric – 11/1
- Kick On – 12/1
- Coolagh Forest- 14/1
- Escobar – 20/1
- Glen Shiel -22/1
- Mitchum Swagger – 28/1
- Commander Cole – 28/1
- Flaming Spear – 33/1
- Waarif – 33/1
- Dark Vision – 40/1
- Pogo – 66/1
- Circus Couture – 66/1
- Saltonstall – 66/1
- Arctic Sound - 80/1
- Chiefofchiefs – 80/1
- So Beloved – 80/1
Updated
Champion Stakes (4.00) result
1 Magical (D O’Brien) Evens Fav
2 Addeybb (James Doyle) 5-1
3 Deirdre (Oisin Murphy) 10-1
9 ran
Also: 20-1 Fox Tal 4th
Updated
Champion Stakes (4.00)
And they’re off ... I Can Fly slowly away but Addeybb is handy and Regal Reality leads early ... Magical moves up to second ... these two are clear of Fox Tal ... Magical goes for home and she gets the lead with Addeybb fighting hard to challenge but he can’t get there.
Updated
King Of Change rules supreme
King Of Change ran out an authoritative winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Winning trainer Richard Hannon said: “I thought he’d run well in the Guineas, but he had a hard race so we put him away - we thought it would be fast ground at Royal Ascot, but we got the first Royal Ascot in 10 years where it rained!
“After missing that we took our time and he came back to win his Listed race well. Sean said he’s the best horse he’s ever ridden, so he must give him some feel. You’d love to be part of Royal Ascot, but it was always about next year for him. I’m delighted for everyone. He’s got lots of options, but it’s a shorter winter on the back of a win like that.” PA Media
Champion Stakes (4.00) betting
- Magical – 11/8
- Coronet – 4/1
- Addeybb – 6/1
- Deirdre – 9/1
- Mehdaayih – 16/1
- Regal Reality – 22/1
- Fox Tal – 25/1
- I Can Fly – 33/1
- Pondus – 40/1
Full betting here.
Star Catcher shines in Fillies & Mares
Star Catcher rounded off her excellent campaign with victory in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot. Winning jockey Frankie Dettori was bouncing straight back after defeat for Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup, and was making it winner number 18 at Group One level this season.
He said: “Obviously I’m still a bit sour about Stradivarius, but the ground is a bit worse than we thought. I’ve gone from crying to smiling in half an hour. She’s lovely, she’s tough - I think she’s staying in training, with a bit of luck, and she’s a wonderful filly. She’s provided me with my 250th Group One and 18th this season, so I love her.”
Victorious trainer John Gosden said: “That is the hope [to see her again next year]. [The ownwr] Mr Oppenheimer believes in racing his horses and he enjoys it immensely, so she should be racing next year. She is a lovely filly and a brave filly. America [for the Breeders’ Cup] is too close and you can’t go to America on 2 November after running a race like that. She has just left her heart on the track. To stick her neck in between them, she was very brave.
“She is a brave filly and she will have a winter off. It was a brave, wonderful performance. She is a very good filly, but she won the Vermeille on fast ground and she won in Ireland on quick ground.” PA Media
Updated
Champion Stakes (4.00) preview
Aidan O’Brien has won almost every top-class Flat race in Britain but one of the few to have evaded him is the Champion Stakes, which has not fallen to a raider from Ballydoyle since the Vincent O’Brien-trained Sir Ivor in 1968. Magical can be horse to end that barren run and take the trophy back to Ireland. While she has a couple of Group One victories to her name, this filly would have won four more, had it not been for Enable and Crystal Ocean. No rival of that standing faces her here and the step back to 10 furlongs should help after she again found the Arc too much of a test. This is her ninth run of the year, so she will need to be durable but the best effort of her 2018 campaign came in November. She should outclass Addeybb, while Deirdre could have done with less rain this week. Fox Tal could outrun his odds.
It’s got tougher ... and will be for the big race, the Champion Stakes, next on the inner course.
Official change of the ground on the round course following race 2 at Ascot, SOFT all over. Still officially HEAVY on straight course.
— David Johnson (@davidjohnsonTF) October 19, 2019
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20) result
1 King Of Change (S M Levey) 12-1
2 The Revenant (P C Boudot) 4-1
3 Safe Voyage (J P Spencer) 40-1
16 ran
Also: 7-2 Fav Benbatl, 20-1 Veracious 4th
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20)
And they’re off ... Veracious leads the way from Phoenix Of Spain ... Magna Grecia is close up with Happy Power ... Veracious goes for home but King Of Change is now the new leader and is challenged by The Revenant but he can’t catch the leader.
Updated
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20) preview
It is easy to like the power-packed finishes produced by The Revenant this year and this ground should be no problem to the French raider but the value of his form is open to question. Benbatl, in contrast, is a top-class animal who might hate this mud. King Of Comedy has become tricky, while Magna Grecia and Mohaather have plenty to prove after missing the summer. So the way is open for an outsider like Happy Power to get involved. He has seemed to relish the chances he has had on soft ground and, on a fast surface, was beaten less than two lengths in the Sussex. The grey has sometimes pulled too hard early on but there should be a decent pace on here.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20) betting
- The Revenant – 4/1
- Benbatl – 13/2
- Magna Grecia – 7/1
- King of Comedy – 17/2
- Lord Glitters – 9/1
- King of Change – 10/1
- Century Dream – 20/1
- Pheonix of Spain – 25/1
- Move Swiftly – 25/1
- Veracious- 25/1
- Mohaather – 33/1
- Happy Power – 33/1
- Imaging – 40/1
- Safe Voyage – 50/1
- Accidental Angel – 66/1
- Raising Sand – 1001
Full betting here.
Kew goes distance to edge Stradivarius
Stradivarius suffered his first defeat in almost two years as Kew Gardens came on top in a pulsating climax to the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.
Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “We were training him for the Gold Cup and he got an injury and it all went pear shaped so we’re just so lucky to get him back. He pulled all the muscles in his back just before Ascot. He barely made it back for the Irish St Leger and that race just didn’t go right. He’s an incredible horse.
“It’s possible he’ll be around next year. The lads will decide what they want to do. There is a big chance he will be. He’s a very brave horse, so I’m delighted. I’d say the Gold Cup next year would definitely be the target if he stayed in training next year. I would imagine that’s it for the season.”
Gosden, trainer of Stradivarius, said: “It was too soft and he was not entirely happy on it. He didn’t really love it through Swinley Bottom. It was very bold and sporting of Mr [Bjorn] Nielsen to run him, but he just found the ground too soft.
“He did well to win it last year as they went no pace. This year he found it too much of a slog in the ground. He has run a wonderful race and has come back in and had a whinny, so he is happy.
“Take nothing away from the winner, we headed him and he’s come back. It’s not his ground, Frankie said he wasn’t very happy through Swinley Bottom. We came fairly close [to pulling him out], but it’s Champions Day and we would have let the day down a bit if we didn’t run Stradivarius. He has been beaten a nose, so there is no disgrace in that. It is just not his ground. We will be back for the Ascot Gold Cup on good to firm in good shape.” PA Media
British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.45) result
1 Star Catcher (L Dettori) 7-4 Fav
2 Delphinia (J A Heffernan) 20-1
3 Sun Maiden (Jim Crowley) 25-1
12 ran
Also: 9-2 Fleeting 4th
British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.45)
And they’re off ... Star Catcher is prominent ... but Delphinia takes it up ... and is clear in the early stages ... Anapurna is close up in second ... South Sea Pearl is there with a chance ... Delphinia goes for home ... Sun Maiden and Star Catcher comes late with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Star Catccher just getting up to win.
Updated
British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.45) preview
Star Catcher will be hard to beat if Frankie Dettori is once more allowed his own way in front but that can’t be taken for granted against 11 rivals with a big prize on the line. Delphinia appeals as an alternative, having made steady progress all year. She impressed in staying on bravely for second place at Longchamp, despite being the meat in the sandwich between Anapurna and Enbihaar close home. Antonia De Vega comes from a red-hot yard but might leave herself too much to do.
British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.45) betting
- Star Catcher – 2/1
- Fleeting – 9/2
- Anapuma – 11/2
- Antonia De Vega – 8/1
- Tarnawa – 9/1
- Delphinia – 18/1
- Klassique 33/1
- Pink Dogwood – 28/1
- Sparkle Roll – 33/1
- Sun Maiden – 40/1
- Nausha – 125/1
- South Sea Pearl – 125/1
Place bets with 11 of your favourite bookies without leaving the Oddschecker app.
Rachel Johnson cheers ... for Letwin?
Rachel Johnson, sister of the Prime Minister (you know his monicker but I try not to use it unlike all those political correspondents who should know better and only use his christian name), is at Ascot. She seems to be enjoying herself. As we know Brexit has split families (I’ve not had the conversation yet with the brother-in-law thankfully) and Rachel is a strong supporter of Remain. Perhaps she’s cheering on Oliver Letwin and hopes his amendment is carried in parliament today.
British Champions Long Distance Cup (2.10) result
1 Kew Gardens (D O’Brien) 7-2
2 Stradivarius (L Dettori) 8-13 Fav
3 Royal Line (R Havlin) 12-1
9 ran
Also: 20-1 Mekong 4th
Non Runner: 10
British Champions Long Distance Cup (2.10)
And they’re off ... Withhold just about the early leader ... and they’re strung out like a long line of washing already ... the pace has sensibly slowed now ... Capri is close up with Kew Gardens just behind ... Stradivarius is in midfield not far behind the leaders ... uphill all the way now ... Withhold and Capri have gone for home early ... Kew Gardens goes well and here comes Stradivarius ... Stradivarius cutting back the leader and he and Kew Gardens go past the post together ... photo-finish ... great race. Bookies on track going 5-1 on Kew Gardens ... and he has prevailed.
Updated
Triumphant outcome for Donjuan
Donjuan Triumphant lunged late to claim a poignant victory in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot. A field of 17 runners went to post for the six-furlong contest, with the William Haggas-trained mare One Master and Martyn Meade’s Advertise the joint-favourites at 4-1.
There were still several in with chances as the leaders raced inside the final furlong, with Denis Hogan’s remarkable improver Make A Challenge - rated just 66 prior to six wins this season - looking the most likely winner after hitting the front.
However, he was swamped by four runners as the post loomed and it was Andrew Balding’s 33-1 shot Donjuan Triumphant who had his head in front where it mattered, scoring by a length in the hands of Silvestre de Sousa.
Turning out just under a fortnight after claiming a second successive victory in the Prix de la Foret at ParisLongchamp, One Master ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot, with Forever In Dreams and Brando close-up in third and fourth respectively.
The win comes a year on from the tragic death of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who founded King Power Racing, in whose blue and white colours Balding’s charge runs.
Balding said: “He’s always come good in the autumn and I thought he ran a really good race last time behind Cape Byron, because he fluffed the start and things didn’t go to plan. He was third in the race last year and he’s such a legend - it’s fantastic for King Power to win their first Group One race, there were a couple of anxious moments, but Silvestre managed to get himself out.
“I’m just so thrilled for the horse as he was the first horse the chairman ever bought - he’d be so proud right now.” He added: “We were quietly hopeful coming into it, but we needed everything to go right and we got a bit of luck in the end. He has been a star and has got easier to train. The head lad who works in his barn has worked hard on his joints, but this was always going to be his last race, as he is off to stud now in France now. He will go to stud, but I’m so pleased he has got a Group One for King Power.”
PA Media
Even the bookies love Stradivarius
My favourite flat racehorse in training. Regardless of what happens today he’s status and the best stayer of his generation is well secure and we get to see him next year!! pic.twitter.com/Oq9V2jJJnM
— Barry Orr (@BetfairBarry) October 19, 2019
British Champions Long Distance Cup (2.10) preview
The exceptional Stradivarius looks set for his 11th consecutive win, none of his rivals here posing an obvious threat. He might have got fed up on hock-deep ground but the switch to the drier inner track has removed even that potential trapdoor.
British Champions Long Distance Cup (2.10) betting
- Stradivarius – 4/6
- Kew Gardens – 3/1
- Withhold- 12/1
- Royal Line – 14/1
- Mekong – 28/1
- Bin Battuta – 40/1
- Capri – 40/1
- Max Dynamite – 66/1
- Cleonte – 80/1
Full betting here
Murphy and Fallon crowned champions
Oisin Murphy and Cieren Fallon arrive in style and are crowned champion rider and apprentice respectively.
Murphy, who was among the first jockeys on the track and spent 30 minutes signing autographs before racing, said: “When Danny [Tudhope] went clear I was genuinely concerned that I’d thrown it away, but I got the lead back and then I was able to enjoy the last month or so because I was 30-odd clear.”
Reflecting on his achievement he said: “I’m both relieved and delighted that I managed to do it because I set my stall out to be champion and it has been a lifelong ambition. It’s been super.”
New crowned champion jockey @oismurphy arrives in style @ascot to pick up his title pic.twitter.com/bMizdRd2Kn
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) October 19, 2019
Updated
British Champions Sprint (1.35) result
1 Donjuan Triumphant (S De Sousa) 33-1
2 One Master (P C Boudot) 4-1 Jt Fav
3 Forever In Dreams 66-1
17 ran
Also: 4-1 Jt Fav Advertise
Updated
British Champions Sprint (1.35)
And they’re off ... this will be fast ... Sands Of Mail pushed out early and Hello Youmzain is prominent ... Sands Of Mali and So Perfect close up ... Make A Challenge makes a challenge and Donjuan Triumphant snatches the prize late out wide from the fast-finishing One Master.
Updated
British Champions Sprint (1.35) preview
This will be the softest ground Advertise has encountered by a long way and promises to be significantly more testing even than the Haydock ground through which Hello Youmzain ploughed so effectively last month. Mabs Cross seemed to cope well with the mud at Longchamp, when she did best of those drawn away from the rail. All year, she has been running as though this extra furlong would be a big help and 33-1 could be a very big price about a mare with masses of top-class experience.
British Champions Sprint (1.35) betting
- Advertise – 4/1
- One Master – 9/2
- Hello Youmzain – 13/2
- Cape Byrom – 10/1
- Make a Challenge – 12/1
- The Tin Man – 12/1
- Sands of Mali – 12/1
- Dream of Dreams – 20/1
- Librisa Breeze – 20/1
- Speak in Colours -28/1
- Brando – 33/1
- So Perfect – 33/1
- Mabs Cross – 33/1
- Donjuan Triumphant – 33/1
- Khadeem – 50/1
- Forever in Dreams – 80/1
- Keystroke – 80/1
There are plenty of betting promotions on offer for every race during Champions Day and you can head over to see the best of them at Oddschecker here
There will be nearly 30,000 spectators at Ascot today and the track are doing their best to keep them occupied. If you fancy a trip out for Champions Day here’s an idea of what’s on offer.
Juliet Slot, Ascot’s chief commercial director, said: “We have a huge array of things going on. We’ve got the Pony Club here with an enormous amount of activities trying to get young people to understand about racing; we’ve got great films about following foals from the moment they are born until they get on the track.
“We’ve got a students’ area; there are a lot of different places to eat and a lot of different activities to engage with. I would encourage anyone to download our app – it just shows you how you can engage with the site here, especially if it is your first day here.”
Asked what first-time Ascot visitors should do to maximise their enjoyment of the day, she replied: “I always think there are some amazing hidden bars and areas of seating, generally towards the ends of the grandstands. There are some fantastic hidden lawns, such as the Grundy and Bustino Lawn and the Brigadier Gerard Lawn, which have tables and chairs and little bar areas.
“If you want to watch the racing, I always think you should go down to the rails. There’s nothing like the thunder of the horses coming down. We’re so lucky, we have a huge vista in front of the grandstand, so anywhere in front of the rails. And after racing we have brilliant music from Basement Jaxx.”
The Queen has arrived
Suspect she’s pleased to be at Ascot rather than be in parliament where she looked distinctly unhappy at having to read out Boris Johnson’s words for the Queen’s Speech earlier this week.
Can Dettori go through the card?
Nicola McGeady at Ladbrokes has just been on Sky Sports Racing pointing out that Frankie Dettori is on four of the six favourites at Ascot today. We know what he did at Ascot in 1996 when he went one better with the Magnificent Seven. The approximate odds for a Frankie accumulator are 2,865-1.
A spokesperson from bookmakers.tv commented: “Champions Day is perfectly placed to be a highlight in a bumper day of sport and the bookmakers are going all out to ensure the top class racing appeals as a betting proposition to the recreational customer, who’ll no doubt have Frankie’s Royal Ascot four-timer fresh in the memory.
“But short of battening down the hatches, on the basis the meeting has been one of mixed fortunes for punters over the years the firms don’t appear to be running scared at all and the Dettori accumulator is being marketed aggressively. If he were to repeat the feat it would be a costly one - although not as much as the bookie reps may suggest - but the odds suggest it’s a risk worth taking for the layers.”
Ladbrokes current odds on Frankie’s mounts ...
- Advertise 7-2
- Stadivarius 8-13
- Star Catcher 13-8
- King Of Comedy 7-1 (from 10-1)
- Coronet 100-30
- Lord North 100-30
If he does ride all six winners let’s hope the next statue’s a better one!
Updated
Can you imagine Adam Gemili running up that Ascot straight?
🗣 "I'm glad I'm not the one running today!"@ChampionsSeries Ambassador, @Adam_Gemili, is looking forward to a terrific day of racing at QIPCO British Champions Day! pic.twitter.com/0shlKvpoNy
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 19, 2019
Non-runners
2.10pm QIPCO Long Distance Cup
South Pacific (Vets Certificate, Abscess)
4.40pm Balmoral Handicap
Dunkirk Harbour (Vet’s Certificate, Temperature)
Detailed going news
Straight Course: Heavy
Inner Flat Course: Good to Soft, Soft in places
GoingStick readings today at 8.15am: Straight Course: 5.3; Inner Flat Course 6.6
Clerk of the Course Chris Stickels said: “We have been dry since 6pm yesterday and we are forecast a generally dry day, with the outside chance of a shower.”
It’s going to be tough going out there, never mind the testing ground the runners have to deal with there’s also a strong headwind to contend with!
Just been out onto straight track at Ascot as far as 4f pole. Quite a headwind straight into the horses' faces (less noticeable when sheltered by stand in final furlong)
— Hugh Taylor (@HughRacing) October 19, 2019
Updated
Race-by-race betting guide
Aidan O’Brien has won almost every top-class Flat race in Britain but one of the few to have evaded him is the Champion Stakes, which has not fallen to a raider from Ballydoyle since the Vincent O’Brien-trained Sir Ivor in 1968. Magical (4.00) can be horse to end that barren run and take the trophy back to Ireland.
While she has a couple of Group One victories to her name, this filly would have won four more, had it not been for Enable and Crystal Ocean. No rival of that standing faces her here and the step back to 10 furlongs should help after she again found the Arc too much of a test.
This is her ninth run of the year, so she will need to be durable but the best effort of her 2018 campaign came in November. She should outclass Addeybb, while Deirdre could have done with less rain this week. Fox Tal could outrun his odds.
1.35 Ascot This will be the softest ground Advertise has encountered by a long way and promises to be significantly more testing even than the Haydock ground through which Hello Youmzain ploughed so effectively last month. Mabs Cross seemed to cope well with the mud at Longchamp, when she did best of those drawn away from the rail. All year, she has been running as though this extra furlong would be a big help and 33-1 could be a very big price about a mare with masses of top-class experience.
2.10 Ascot The exceptional Stradivarius looks set for his 11th consecutive win, none of his rivals here posing an obvious threat. He might have got fed up on hock-deep ground but the switch to the drier inner track has removed even that potential trapdoor.
2.45 Ascot Star Catcher will be hard to beat if Frankie Dettori is once more allowed his own way in front but that can’t be taken for granted against 11 rivals with a big prize on the line. Delphinia appeals as an alternative, having made steady progress all year. She impressed in staying on bravely for second place at Longchamp, despite being the meat in the sandwich between Anapurna and Enbihaar close home. Antonia De Vega comes from a red-hot yard but might leave herself too much to do.
3.20 Ascot It is easy to like the power-packed finishes produced by The Revenant this year and this ground should be no problem to the French raider but the value of his form is open to question. Benbatl, in contrast, is a top-class animal who might hate this mud. King Of Comedy has become tricky, while Magna Grecia and Mohaather have plenty to prove after missing the summer. So the way is open for an outsider like Happy Power to get involved. He has seemed to relish the chances he has had on soft ground and, on a fast surface, was beaten less than two lengths in the Sussex. The grey has sometimes pulled too hard early on but there should be a decent pace on here.
4.40 Ascot A 12lb rise for winning the Cambridgeshire makes this tough for Lord North but the way he shot forwards once in the clear that day suggests he really does belong in a higher grade and he can end the day on a high for the Gosden / Dettori team. Kynren was a fair fifth a year ago but was running on empty at the line and is 8lb higher now.
Welcome to Champions Day
There is positive news to start the day at Ascot, which has somehow managed to remain rain-free since 6pm on Friday evening allowing Chris Stickels, the clerk of the course, to report unchanged going: good-to-soft, soft in places on the inner hurdles track where much of the action will unfold, and heavy for the milers and sprinters on the straight course.
And it seems likely to stay that way, with the latest forecast suggesting “a generally dry day with the outside risk of a shower”, so a card that might have descended into a muddy farce should be able to take its proper place in an outstanding day of sporting action.
That said, it will be a tough, demanding afternoon for horses and jockeys alike. Heavy ground at Ascot is widely seen to be as gruelling as it gets, not least when it has had a few hours without rain allowing it to get a little “gluey”. The runners in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes , in particular, will need to get every inch of the mile, and even on the inner track, the runners in the Long Distance Cup and Champion Stakes may be grateful for the shorter trip in both events: 82yds less than normal for the stayers’ race and 78yds less for the day’s feature race.
The early news in the betting is that Stradivarius, the only odds-on shot on the card, is a little uneasy in the market for the Long Distance Cup, drifting to 4-6 from an overnight price of 4-7 with most firms, following support for Aidan O’Brien’s Kew Gardens.
Donnacha O’Brien, the trainer’s son, will be aboard his father’s main runners this afternoon as Ryan Moore, the stable jockey, seems to have drawn the short straw by heading to Australia to trail home last on Ten Sovereigns in the hugely valuable Everest a few hours ago.
And it could be a big day for Ireland’s reigning champion jockey as Magna Grecia, who took the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket with O’Brien in the saddle back in May, has joined The Revenant at the top of a very open market for the QEII, with both runners available at 5-1.
Chris Cook’s tips for today’s races are in his preview here and listed below and all the news and views from Ascot will be in this space as the richest afternoon in British racing unfolds from 1.50.
Ascot 1.35 Mabs Cross (nb) 2.10 Stradivarius 2.45 Delphinia 3.20 Happy Power 4.00 Magical 4.40 Lord North
Catterick 1.40 Leoch 2.15 Secret Smile 2.50 Van Gerwen 3.25 Moss Gill 3.55 Appointed 4.30 Confrontational 5.00 Jan De Heem 5.35 Smart Lass
Stratford 1.45 Mercy Mercy Me 2.20 Bells Of Peterboro 2.55 Skeaping 3.30 Western Climate 4.05 Song Of The Sky 4.35 Hurricane Rita 5.10 Superefficient
Ffos Las 1.50 Alanjou 2.25 Miss Honey Ryder 3.00 King Alfonso 3.35 Tidal Flow 4.15 Monsieur Lecoq 4.50 Joueur Bresilien 5.20 Oscar Asche
Market Rasen 2.00 Velkera 2.35 South Seas 3.10 Anytime Will Do 3.45 Rouge Vif 4.20 San Benedeto 4.55 Getaway North 5.30 Dont Go Gentle
Wolverhampton 5.05 Sayesse (nap) 5.40 King Of Arms 6.15 Yamato 6.45 Chamomile 7.15 With Caution 7.45 Paths Of Glory 8.15 Shauyra
