It’s the richest day in British racing with £4.1m up for grabs. With so much money on the line, this will be a pivotal meeting for the Top Coaches Championship with William Haggas and Charlie Appleby locked in a thrilling battle.
Haggas looks certain to win a big pot while Baaeed looks a certainty in the Champion Stakes. He is arguably the best horse in the world unbeaten in his 10 career starts, his last six being at Group One level.
He retires to stud after his last race on Saturday and it will be a brave man to support this exceptional four-year-old.
The opening race is the Stayers Championship where Trueshan seems a good bet to emulate his victory in this race last year. He skipped Longchamp to wait for this race and the probably soft ground will play to his strengths.
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes race sees an intriguing clash between Inspiral Games and Modern Games. The former won the Fillies Mile as a two-year-old and was impressive in the Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting despite his hatred of the pitch.
Charlie Appleby has a good chance in the Sprint race with last year’s winner Creative Force. However, if the in-form Kinross try their luck here, they might be a better bet. He did this column a favor when he won on Arc day and loves to push forward.
Emily Upjohn overemphasized the firmness of the course and distance in the King George. She hasn’t been seen since July but is working well at home and was well supported to win the Fillies and Mares race.
The final Balmoral Handicap can go to Blue for You trained by David O’Meara. He ran too freely behind stablemate Escobar last time out at Ascot, but with Danny Tudhope back on board he should settle in better.
Garlic goodies: Saturday Ascot 1.25 – Trueshan; 2.00 – Kinross; 2:40 a.m. – Emily Upjohn; 3.20 – Inspired; 4.00 – Baaid; 4:30 p.m. – Blue for you.
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