Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, I’m focusing on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot. Plus, I’ve had a look at couple of races from Nottingham on Wednesday.
Qipco Champions Day
It’s been 14 years since the first British Champions Day. The Group 1 Champion Stakes moved from Newmarket — not without controversy — and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes switched from September and from the round course to the straight mile.
The idea was simple: showcase the best of British Flat racing and create our own version of Arc Weekend or the Breeders’ Cup. The season would end with a bang, with champions crowned on and off the track.
In truth, the meeting was lucky early on. Frankel gave it an instant identity and global pull. Without him, it’s struggled to capture that same magic. It’s never quite rivalled Arc Weekend or the Breeders’ Cup, and the late-season slot often brings soft ground.
Since 2011, the meeting’s been run eight times on soft, once on heavy, three on good to soft, and just twice on good. If forecasts are right, this year could bring the quickest surface yet.
Racing fans haven’t truly warmed to it — and nor have many trainers or owners. It comes at the end of a long campaign, with lucrative overseas options tempting the best horses away. Too often, Qipco Champions Day hasn’t quite lived up to its name.
Qipco Champions Day 2025
This year’s renewal features five Group 1 races, with the Long Distance Cup rightly upgraded from Group 2. The action ends with the Balmoral Handicap, always competitive but still an awkward fit for what’s meant to be a championship card. It feels more like a nod to the bookmaker’s than a natural fit for a championship finale.
A new two-year-old conditions race has been added to the card. Ascot’s long wanted a juvenile event on this card but couldn’t secure an established Group race. Instead, we’ve got a valuable £250,000 contest — without Group status — that adds little to the meeting’s prestige.
The Qipco Champion Stakes (1m2f) remains the highlight. With Aidan O’Brien confirming Delacroix runs here rather than in the QEII, all eyes are on his clash with Ombudsman. Yet that ignores Calandagan, a dual Group 1 winner, and Economics, last year’s Irish Champion hero, who could make his belated seasonal return. It’s shaping up to be a top-class renewal if the main protagonist’s line-up.
Qipco Champions Day 2025 — Monday’s Final Entries
The final entries for Champions Day were published on Monday, and it’s a mixed picture.
In the Long Distance Cup (12:55), there was disappointing news as Francis-Henri Graffard removed Sibayan. That leaves Trawlerman facing only five rivals, including Stay True, who Aidan O’Brien has supplemented.
Despite the prize money on offer, the Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (1:30) attracted just 19 entries – one short of the 20-runner limit.
Thankfully, the Champions Sprint Stakes (2:05) looks far stronger with 21 still in. We should get a proper field for that one.
The Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2:45) has 13 left in, including last year’s winner Kalpana, Estrange, and the supplemented One Look from Paddy Twomey’s yard.
A cracking Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3:25) is in prospect. Field Of Gold heads a field of 17 that also includes serial runner-up Rosallion, Fallen Angel, in the form of her life and Never So Brave.
Fifteen remain in the Qipco Champion Stakes (4:05), and all the big names are still there — Ombudsman, Delacroix, Calandagan, and Economics. Fingers crossed they all line up on the day.
Finally, the Balmoral Handicap (4:40) has drawn 47 entries. With a 20-runner maximum, that one looks certain to be oversubscribed at final declarations.
Wednesday Racing
Punchestown takes centre stage today with two Grade 3s — the BetVictor Novice Chase (3:35) and the BetVictor Chase (4:05).
Wetherby also returns, but good ground has led to just 36 runners across seven races. I was tempted to head to one of my local tracks, but I think I’ll pass this time and hope the day goes well for those who do go.
On the Flat, the best of the action comes from Nottingham.
3:14 – Mr Alan bids for a third win in this race after landing it in 2022 and 2023 for his previous yard. He ran well last time when third at Pontefract and is better on softer ground but handles quickish well enough, as shown in Bahrain earlier this year. Gamrai, a handicap debutant from a yard that won this in 2017, looks the likely favourite and well appreciate the good ground.
3:44 – Senor Cortez has won his last two and thrives on a sound surface. He’s up 8lb but remains progressive and should go close again.
Rock N Roll Pinkie, a three-time Nottingham winner, ran well here 13 days ago over 1m6f. The return to 2m looks ideal, and she should be bang there once more.
Mighty Bandit scored at Ffos Las two starts back and shaped like he’d stay 2m when runner-up their last time. He looks on a fair mark.
St Mawes improved for the step up to 2m when winning at Kempton last month. He’s just 3lb higher and back on turf but the 3yo looks capable of better over staying trips.
Nathanael Greene looks regressive, but he’s very well treated now on his old William Haggas form from two years ago and could pop up if the spark returns.
Wednesday Selection:
Mr Alan tends to hit form at this time of year and whilst softer ground would slow his rivals down, I think he’ll go close in the 3:14.
The Colwick Cup Handicap (3:44) only has eight runners but make claims for most of them. Senor Cortez is going the right way and looks the right favourite. The return to 2m will suit Rock N Roll Pinkie but I’m hoping the progressive St Mawes can show he’s just as effective on grass as the synthetics.
Nottingham
3:44 – St Mawes – 7/1
In tomorrow’s column I’ll continue my look ahead to Champions Day.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John