QIPCO British Champions Day live on Channel 4

16 October 2014

Saturday 18th October 2014, 1.40pm to 5pm

The culmination of horseracing’s thrilling QIPCO British Champions Series will be QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 18 October with TV viewers able to enjoy all the action live from British racing’s £3.75 million autumn showpiece.

Clare Balding will host some of the world’s best racing with The Queen’s filly Estimate, a memorable winner at Royal Ascot in 2013, expected to make her final racecourse appearance in the opening race of the day. The winners of the English, Irish and French Derbies will ensure that the best of the Classic crop of horses will be represented on the day, whilst Cirrus des Aigles, the top-class French campaigner, will be making his fourth appearance in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, having won in 2011 and been second twice.

In all, five Championship finals will be broadcast live on Channel 4 as some of the World’s top horses battle it out on British racing’s richest day. Coverage begins on Channel 4 at 8am on Saturday 18 October with The Morning Line, followed by live coverage of the racing from 1.40pm to 5pm.

Channel 4’s Tanya Stevenson has marked the card – tips are available in part or full reproduction:

1.45 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup – Estimate win

Twelve months ago Estimate wasn’t at her best at her favourite course, yet she was still only beaten three lengths.  This season has been far from smooth, but after her inexplicably poor run in the Goodwood Cup Estimate’s last couple of runs at York and Doncaster has highlighted her class and tenacity.  Her second in York’s Lonsdale Cup proved all the ability had returned and her win in the Doncaster Cup advertised all the attributes she possesses as a stayer.  Now back at the course where she has won three of her five runs and with the support of a very enthusiastic crowd she could provide the perfect curtain raiser to what promises to be a great day.

2.20 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes – Viztoria

In 2013 Slade Power, defeated Jack Dexter and Viztoria accentuating a good year for trainer Edward Lynam.  If only we knew then what we know now as the trainer has enjoyed a phenomenal 2014.  Slade Power has proved to be a sprinting sensation this year and he is on his way to the other side of the world,  Meanwhile responsibility now lies with Viztoria.  She loves soft ground and bounced right back to form at the Curragh by storming home from stable companion Gathering Power.  Edward Lynam already boasts a 75% strike rate at Ascot this year.

2.55 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes – Silk Sari win NAP

Last year’s victor Seal Of Approval has been far from consistent this season yet if the ground came up soft she could make her presence felt.  Oaks runner-up Tarfasha, has since beaten 2013 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita in the Blanford Stakes at the Curragh, though one would suspect Chicquita would come on massively having been off the track for over a year.  Aidan O’Brien’s filly was only beaten four lengths by Treve in the French Oaks in 2013 so her credentials are rock solid.  That said Luca Cumani’s Silk Sari has been supplemented for this race and it could be a blinding investment as her success at Doncaster in the Park Hill was rather easy and the five lengths could have been oh so much further.

3.30pm Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by QIPCO – Night of Thunder win

Night of Thunder bounced right back to form with his third to Charm Spirit in the Prix Du Moulin and the second Toronado might also join in on the jamboree. The embarrassment of riches Richard Hannon enjoys in this category with both horses is an enviable problem to have and with Australia not taking part, I have opted for Night Of Thunder

4.05 QIPCO Champion Stakes – Free Eagle each-way

Cirrus Des Aigles runs in the race for the fourth time having won in 2011, finished second to Frankel in 2012 and occupied the same position behind Farhh last year.  A winner of 21 races, six of which are Group 1s he is simply a legend and the race wouldn’t be complete without him.  We haven’t seen him since his brave Coronation Cup win at Epsom when he appeared lame after the line.  Given plenty of time to recover and sure to be ready to do himself justice it will be intriguing to see who the might of Ballydoyle pitches up against him.  Magician always to be respected was runner-up in the Arlington Million and may remain in America to try and land a second Breeders’ Cup Turf but if he doesn’t he can pose a big threat.  At the opposite end of the scale Table Rock may be pitched in at the big time.

A horse who deserves to have a run of luck is Free Eagle, once considered a real Derby protagonist, he has been blighted by injury but came back after a year to amble home in a Group 3 at Leopardstown.  This has been his target, what a race I can’t wait.

4.40 Balmoral Handicap – Fort Bastion each-way

A fantastic handicap to close an awesome day of action, and I’m siding with Fort Bastion. He has been pitched in the most competitive handicaps throughout the season and run with credit.  His fourth at the course behind Safety Check early in September caught the eye, as did his sixth in the Betfred Mile at Glorious Goodwood and his fourth in the Bunbury Cup.  With a favourable draw it could be his turn.