Saturday 20th October 2018

Excellent racing today, Champions Day at Ascot plus three jump fixtures also take place. Champions Day comes late in the season, it’s always bit of a debate if the meeting should happen earlier in the year. It’s soft / heavy ground at Ascot, John Gosden has the big four running, Stradivarius, Lah Ti Dar, Cracksman & Roaring Lion. If the quartet win, the bookies will have taken a huge hammering.

I’ve had a few bets at Ascot just for bit of interest. The ground could throw up a few surprises and it’s likely it will be a race too many for some horses.

Tasleet runs in the 2:00 for William Haggas. Tasleet has run just twice this year and comes into the race fresher than most. On recent form Tasleet has a bit to find, he loves bad ground though and blinkers go on for the first time. Priced at 9-1 with a few bookies, Tasleet could outrun his odds if showing his previous best efforts

If taking one of the Gosden four on it would be Lah Ti Dar. She has a bad draw in stall 10, no form on soft ground and her rivals don’t have much to find with her. I’d prefer to back Coronet, the John Gosden second string EW at 11-2. Coronet is battle hardened, holds solid Group form and goes on soft. She looks good for a place and maybe a bit better if Lah Ti Dar fails to fire.

Roaring Lion is simply the best horse in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 3:15. He’s well clear of his rivals on ratings. If this race was been run on good ground, Roaring Lion would be an even money shot. I wouldn’t be worried about the drop in trip. The price of 5-2 is available because Roaring Lion has never run on going as per today. If he handles it, he’ll take the beating. I’ve always thought proper class horses seem to handle most ground.

The most valuable race on Champions Day is the Champion Stakes at 3:50. Cracksman won the race last year and bids for a repeat win. He wears blinkers for the first time after running lazy when beaten into second place at Royal Ascot. Cracksman holds soft ground form, I’m with him and hope he goes out with a win before heading off to stud.