Hi all,
On the eve of Qipco Champions Day here are the latest updates on the meeting.
Qipco Champions Day Updates
As of Thursday evening, the going at Ascot remains soft on both the straight and Inner (hurdles) track. The latest update from the BHA has also downgraded the expected rainfall, now predicting between 5mm and 8mm of rain. This may still impact on conditions, but it’s less than initially forecast. It will be interesting to see how soft it is on the hurdles track as that's not watered as much as the flat track during the summer. My gut feeling is we could be seeing good to soft on the inner track.
Final declarations for Qipco Champions Day were revealed on Thursday morning. The Economics and Calandagan clash is on in the in the Champion Stakes (3:55). Even though the big two are in the line-up they will still face ten rivals meaning it will be the biggest field since 2015.
Kyprios faces eight rivals including last year’s winner Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup (1:20).
The bookies are going 11/2 the field in a 20 runners British Champions Sprint Stakes (1:55). Meanwhile short priced favourite Kalpana faces 13 rivals in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2:35). Charyn faces 12 rivals in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3:15).
Despite the ground we have the making of a tremendous day’s sport. Champions Day has got its critics mostly relating to its timing deep into October, However, those critics can't have any complaints about field sizes, I think they are excellent. Indeed, I doubt they would have been better if the card was held in September and I none of the missing stars like City Of Troy would have come here in September either. I’m really looking for to this year’s Qipco Champions Day. I hope you are too.
Barry Dennis RIP
Sad news reached us of the passing of legendary on-course bookmaker Barry Dennis at the age of 83. Known for his brash and loud persona, Dennis was a staple on Channel 4's Morning Line for many years alongside John McCririck (Big Mac). His famous “Barry’s Bismarck” segment, where he’d highlight a favourite he believed would lose, became a must-watch for punters.
Here’s a one-minute clip of Barry in action at a bustling betting ring before the 1997 2000 Guineas.
For those interested, there's a two-part documentary on Barry Dennis: The Bookmaking Legend. The first part can be found here.
Dennis and McCririck were true racing characters, from a bygone era when the betting ring was the beating heart of racecourses. Today the betting ring is a pale imitation of itself, killed off by the exchanges. The beating heart of the racecourse is no longer the ring, it’s the champagne lawn.
Barry’s passing is another reminder of a world we’re not going to see again—where bookmakers like him dominated the, offering punters value and bringing colour to the track.
The sad reality is the genuine horseracing fans and punters are dwindling (and aging) and soon most will not be bothered with accountability checks and restrictions.
The Football, Cricket, Tennis and Golf markets seem to be holding up well enough, so people are still betting but not on horse racing. Horseracing on the exchanges is declining fast and horse racing betting generally is in free fall. It was just over a decade ago when Sky Bet announced that for the first time income on horseracing went under 50%. Today, it’s likely much lower, reflecting a shift away from the sport. Enjoy what’s left because its demise may come quicker than even pessimists like me have feared.
Friday Racing
The best of Friday’s action takes place at Dundalk’s evening meeting.
Dundalk 5:45 – Trainer Andrew Oliver and jockey Billy Lee have an impressive record when teaming up in Dundalk handicaps: 7 winners from 16 runners (44%) +12 and 10 placed (63%) in the past two years. They team up again with Apercu in this 1m 2½f handicap. Apercu is 1-3 with two places over C&D, but he won at the Curragh yesterday, so he might not run. If he does, he'd be a strong contender.
Psalm, trained by Aidan O’Brien, leads the early bird betting. The colt, a C&D winner three starts back, was a close 2nd over 1m 4f last week. The drop back in trip shouldn’t be an issue, and he should be in the mix.
However, my pick is Gesture. He was a close second in a Punchestown conditions race last month and won a C&D handicap in the spring off a 10lb lower mark. Capable of going close. Trainer Eoghan O’Neill and jockey Shane Foley are 2-4 with +7 profit when combining at Dundalk, adding to his appeal.
I won’t be doing a Saturday column this week so if you want my Champions Day race previews and final selections, you can get them here.
I'll be back on Monday to look back at Champions Day. Expect drama, skill, and memorable finishes on this showcase day for racing fans!
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John