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6 G1 races await us at Ascot tomorrow
This meeting used to be held at the end of September before the Arc, when the weather was still warm-ish and not the max 11 forecast for Saturday.
The going is soft and it is expected to be overcast but not raining after possible overnight showers.
First off is the Long Distance Cup for the stayers over 3200m and there is a field of 13 most of whom have illustrious CVs. Starting with Stradivarius – a bit unlucky at his last outing in France where Anthony van Dyck grabbed him on the line but otherwise he's had an excellent year. He was second in this race last year, won it in 2018 and 3rd in 2017. He's around evens and we like him a lot even at that price. Search For A Song is Dermot Weld's Irish St Leger winner with Oisin Murphy booked for the ride and the quote is 5/1. Fujaira Prince was second in the Irish St Leger and could overturn that result – respect on 8/1. And our roughie here is Andrew Balding's Spanish Mission on 14/1 – he won the Doncaster Cup over 3600m at G2 level and could be well in this at a decent price of 14/1.
The British Champions' Sprint is over 1200m and here Sir Michael Stoute's Dream of Dreams heads the market on 7/4 – Oisin Murphy rides. One Master recently won the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp with P-C Boudot on board and he's sticking with the ride. The Forêt was over 1400m and on heavy going so this will seem like an easy task. Oxted had nearly a year off racing but has returned in style winning the July Stakes at Newmarket and is on 7/1. We like Starman for a bit of value as he's 10/1 and is unbeaten in his 3 outings – Tom Marquand rides.
The Fillies & mares is over 2400m and has attracted 12 girls. David Mensuisier's Wonderful Tonight has been wonderful by day as well and is on 7/2 with William Buick in the irons. Dame Mailliot has Hollie Doyle on board and she's just broken the record for a female jockey so she's in great form and hopefully her horse will be too. They are on 9/2 and Antonia de Vega is 5/1 for Ralph Becket and Harry Bentley.
The QE II is over 1600m down the straight course and 14 will run. This is very interesting as you have the unbeaten Palace Pier (Gosden-Dettori) up against the French challenger The Revenant. He was second in this last year and then had a long lay-off and came back at Arc weekend to win the Wildenstein impressively. P-C Boudot will ride the Francis Graffard trained runner. Circus Maximus is a genuine miler and 8/1 could be value here.
The Champion Stakes is over 2000m with 11 runners. Magical has been that and could be again but 7/4? Ryan Moore is on board and she does have the mares' weight allowance. Mishriff has won all 3 starts this year and as a 3yo also gets a weight allowance – Gosden-Dettori and 3/1. Lord North is another Gosden pupil with James Doyle riding this tie and he's on 13/2. We are going for Addeybb though – the UK folks don't seem to value his two wins in Australia at the start of the year but we think he's very genuine and 8/1 looks like value. Tom Marquand as usual will ride for William Haggas.
