 Wally Pyrah |  David Duggan |  Wendyll Woods |
|---|---|---|
| With a mark of excellence in the business for over 30 years, Wally Pyrah has been notable to many in UK's racing industry. He had long been a key editorial member of The Racing Post, UK's authoritative racing/ sports wagering press, and is integral part of the expert cast in various preview shows - on screen and through the air – to major international racedays on a regular basis, such as the European classics. | David has been working in the racing/bloodstock industry for over 20 years. He has worked at Coolmore Stud Ireland and in Lexington Kentucky with leading Farms. He is also an active writer publishing written articles for many publications including The Guardian newspaper. For the past 7 years, he has been broadcasting in the UK and Ireland for At The Races and Sky Sports. David has recently joined in August 2012 and will provide more insights on simulcast races. | Wendyll Woods began his riding career in Hong Kong as an apprentice jockey to trainer Lawrence Fownes in 1983. He became Fownes' retained jockey from 1987/88 to end of 2001/02 when he was retained by his younger brother Sean Woods. During his Hong Kong racing career, he rode an impressive 3,897 Hong Kong races, riding 321 winners with a winning percentage of 8.2%, including the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with CARACOLER in 2002. Woods also spent five years racing in England where he won several key races including Heron Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes. He currently runs a stud farm with his older brother in England. |
Overseas Expert Column for British Champions Day (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)
S1-4 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (David Duggan)
All the usual suspects line up once again in this sprint, these specialist horses are well used to coming up against each other, because races of this nature are so dependent on many different factors so it is not always that easy to predict.
SOCIETY ROCK is sure to be towards the top of the market. James Fanshawe sprinter has shown a liking for Ascot in the past and comes here on the back of a well-deserved Group 1 win at Haydock in the Sprint Cup. He is clearly very useful and appears to act on most ground although he has shown a preference for good ground in the past, he was clearly inconvenienced on his penultimate start at Newmarket on a heavy surface when third. This race over 1200 meters suits him best and he is a major player.
WIZZ KID comes here on the back of a nice win in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp where she made up considerable ground inside the final furlong to assert close home, she escapes a Group 1 penalty here but is turned up rather quickly and despite her liking for soft ground may always be best served by 1000 meters.
The Irish challenge consists of SLADE POWER and MAAREK. The latter has enjoyed a remarkable season and can be relied upon to run well but this race is on the back of a very long tough season and preference is for SLADE POWER of the two. A dual Listed winner over 1200 meters, this does represent a step up in class but on the evidence of what I have seen so far it will be no surprise to see the son of DUTCH ART involved here.
JIMMY STYLES is a horse I like a lot. He was impressive on his last start at Deauville in a Group 3 over 1200 meters and on the whole is very consistent, one could argue that he would need to improve considerably to land this but his toughness and ability to handle most ground and a big field is going to stand him well in this race, I think he will run above himself here.
Jim Goldie who trains in the north of England saddles the very useful HAWKEYETHENOO here, the Stewards’ Cup winner is consistent and I felt he was unlucky not to finish close in the Group 1 July Cup when fifth to MAYSON on heavy ground, he was making very good late headway and was just denied for fourth place that over today’s 1200 meters he too could go well in this open affair.
A case can be made for many others in this competitive sprint but the above in my view represent the leading players and I would be hopeful that the winner may come from this shortlist.
Quotes
James Fanshawe (SOCIETY ROCK)
“He has pleased me since Haydock and this has always been the plan, he is adaptable and should be ok on most ground although heavy ground would be a concern”
Clive Cox (JIMMY STYLES)
“He has been in good form coming back from France and is going to Ascot in very good spirits. I am hoping for a good show although very soft ground would be a concern, he is very well”
Jim Goldie (HAWKEYETHENOO)
“We were delighted with his win at Goodwood and whilst he is up in grade here. He is very tough and will like the trip and track. We are very hopeful he has had a nice break since the Ayr Gold Cup, the ground at Ascot is never as heavy as elsewhere which will also helps”
SELECTIONS: 4. JIMMY STYLES, 2. HAWKEYETHENOO, 10. SOCIETY ROCK & 12. SLADE POWER
S1-5 QIPCO British Champions Fillies´ And Mares´ Stakes (Wally Pyrah)
The burning question is has GREAT HEAVENS recovered from her exertions after suffering a tough race when sixth, beaten over 11 lengths to SOLEMIA in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe nearly two weeks ago? GREAT HEAVENS is clearly the form choice, having won four of her six races including the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks by five lengths over 2400 meters on soft ground – TESTOSTERONE was 5th beaten 9 lengths – and the Group 1 Irish Oaks over 2400 meters, with SHIROCCO STAR being runner-up beaten 3 lengths, and WAS came 4th beaten 5¼ lengths. She clearly revels on soft ground, but there is that nagging doubt that the ‘Arc’ was an afterthought, following the withdrawal of her stablemate NATHANIEL in the build-up to the race, and she may have left her best form behind on the very soft ground at Longchamp.
One filly who has obviously been aimed at this prize for some time, is Dermot Weld’s MEDICEAN filly SAPPHIRE. This five time winner from just 10 races, destroyed her rivals when winning by over 7 lengths in a Group 3 over 2400 meters at Cork on soft to heavy ground in August. Having previously chased home smart IZZI TOP in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 2000 meters at the Curragh, she is clearly an improving filly with plenty of talent, and her trainer rarely sends a runner to Britain unless he thinks they can go close.
Last year’s winner of this race DANCING RAIN, has not been seen on a racecourse since finishing unplaced in a Group 1 in Japan last November and has reportedly undergone surgery after a spring setback. This winner of last season’s Epsom and German Oaks was reported to have been ready to run in the Yorkshire Oaks at York in August, before her trainer William Haggas decided to wait for this contest. Newmarket gallop watchers have been impressed by her recent work form, and it’s interesting that big-race jockey Johnny Murtagh has stayed with this filly instead of opting to ride stablemate VOW.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is represented by shocking 2400-meter Group 1 Epsom Oaks winner WAS who had rivals SHIROCCO STAR (2nd) and VOW (4th) when taking the English classic in June. This daughter of GALILEO has been beaten three times since, including finishing behind GREAT HEAVENS at the Curragh. She is clearly a talented and consistent filly who should love the soft conditions, but there is a feeling she may find one or two rivals too good.
SHIROCCO STAR finds getting her head in front on the winning line difficult, having finished runner-up 5 times in 8 races, and having only won a small maiden race at Newbury last season. She did, however, display plenty of determination when runner-up to DALKALA in a Group 2 event over 2500 meters on heavy ground at Longchamp earlier in the month, and is maybe worth including in exotic bets.
French challenger JEHANNEDARC has plenty to find in the form book, having failed twice in her overseas excursions to Britain. She also has plenty to find with TESTOSTERONE, having finished well behind Frankie Dettori’s mount in a Group 3 over 2400 meters at Chantilly in June last year.
There maybe some value in having a second look at Andre Fabre’s filly LA POMME D’AMOUR. This four-year-old daughter by former ‘Arc’ winner PEINTRE CELEBRE is clearly a filly with some ability having won a Group 2 at Deauville in August - beat a filly called SHIMMERING SURF who had filled a similar position behind GREAT HEAVENS. She disappointed in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille over 2400 meters on soft ground last month – subsequent ‘Arc’ winner SOLEMIA was 3rd – but it could pay to forgive her that run, and she could prove dangerous.
SELECTIONS: 4. SAPPHIRE, 6. GREAT HEAVENS, 3. LA POMME D’AMOUR & 1. DANCING RAIN
S1-6 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored By QIPCO (David Duggan)
A good renewal of traditionally the end of season mile championship and many of these has been spared the presence of FRANKEL who has been a thorn in the side of several of the main protagonists.
All eyes are sure to focus on EXCELEBRATION from Aidan O’Brien’s stable who in particular without FRANKEL might have had an undefeated season. A very smart type he was an easy winner at Deauville over 1600 meters on his last start and impressed with his turn of foot on that occasion, he seems ambivalent to ground conditions, but has struck me as a horse who is possibly better over 1400 meters, which is the trip he won in Ireland. He looks a lot more comfortable to my eye at 1400 meters and this strong traveler may well struggle to contain horses who have stamina in abundance.
CITYSCAPE is admirably consistent and the son of SELKIRK who himself was a previous winner of this race will have no problems with the likely soft conditions. His big pay day came in Dubai over 1800 meters on the back of a superb run in The Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin when just touched off by ABLE ONE. He has obvious claims but invariably tends to find one too good at the highest level.
CARLTON HOUSE represents Her Majesty in whose honor the race is named and makes plenty of appeal to me. A very smart three-year-old when only just denied in the Epsom Derby over 2400 meters, though he is certainly not short of pace. Three runs this year have yielded a win and placed second in the best of company. Sir Michael Stoute has clearly had this race in mind for some time and this son of STREET CRY seems to like Ascot, his runner up to SO YOU THINK was a fine effort and I would excuse his latest lapse on account of the stable being in moderate form at the time. There appears to be plenty of pace in the race which should suit and he can be a very appropriate winner.
Of the others a mention must be made of MOST IMPROVED from Brian Meehan’s in form stable, quite a talking horse he looked like having a fine season when winning the Group 1 St James Palace Stakes at the Royal Ascot Meeting in June but has been below form on two subsequent starts, once again however the stable were under performing at the time he remains a horse of considerable potential and could go well at bigger prices.
The remaining runners in this race certainly appear to have it all to do both on ratings and indeed on what they have achieved thus far on the racecourse.
Quotes
Roger Charlton (CITYSCAPE)
“I am very happy with him at the moment, my concern however is that he has had a long season and has travelled around the world racing, acquitting himself well wherever he ran but this is a tough ask”
Brian Meehan (MOST IMPROVED)
“I was disappointed with his last 2 runs but he is working really well at the moment, I am hoping that a visor and Richard Hughes will work the oracle, I am expecting a big run as he likes the track and should be fine on the ground”
SELECTIONS:1. CARLTON HOUSE, 3. EXCELEBRATION, 6. MOST IMPROVED & 2. CITYSCAPE
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (30 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple - 1. DANCING RAIN, 3. LA POMME D’AMOUR, 4. SAPPHIRE, 6. GREAT HEAVENS & 10. WAS
S1-6:
Banker - 1. CARLTON HOUSE
Selections - 2. CITYSCAPE, 3. EXCELEBRATION & 6. MOST IMPROVED
S1-7 QIPCO Champion Stakes (Wally Pyrah)
STATISTICS AND NUMBERS
• Only 1 favourite has won in last 10 years
• 4 of the last 10 winners were returned at odds from 11 to 25
• 8 out of the last 10 winners had finished 1st or 2nd in their latest race
• 17 3-yo’s have won race since 1980
• French-trained horses have won race 9 times in last 30 years.
The stage is set for horse racing fans from around the world to salute FRANKEL for the final time, the greatest equine thoroughbred on earth. Described by many racing experts as the mythical ‘Skybird’ creature Pegasus reincarnated, FRANKEL will be seeking an unblemished racing career record of 14 wins from 14 races. His past victories includes 8 consecutive Group 1 wins, and an average 5.7 winning lengths margin. He is rated 10lbs clear in the world’s official handicap ratings, his last success when effortlessly destroying top-class opposition in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, was one of the greatest displays seen in horse racing, and he will be worth well over a billion HK$’s when he finally retires to stud.
So is there any horse that can bring the champion down? First up the soft to heavy ground conditions will be a concern to FRANKEL’s connections. Despite being a son of soft ground specialist GALILEO, Sir Henry Cecil’s colt has only encountered soft ground for a few times, notably when beating NATHANIEL half-a-length – the closest any horse has got to the champion – when they made their debuts at Newmarket in August 2010, and when winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes – beating subsequent HK horse ELEGANCE KLAMMER by 10 lengths in September the same year.
Connections of last year’s QIPCO Champion Stakes winner CIRRUS DES AIGLES will be rubbing their hands with delight with the forecast of soft to heavy ground, as their six-year-old has shown a distinct liking to these underfoot conditions. He produced a Group 1 performance when returning after a 4 month’s absence at Longchamp two weeks back, winning the Group 2 Prix Dollar by 9 lengths, giving the runner-up 2lbs. Having already won the Group 1 Prix Ganay over 2200 meters (heavy) at Longchamp, and the Dubai Sheema Classic (2400 meters) at Meydan this season, it would appear that something would have to go dramatically wrong for him to be out of the frame.
NATHANIEL has been at the peak of his powers this season, winning the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, losing out in the photo to DANEDREAM in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2400 meters at Ascot, and finishing runner-up to SNOW FAIRY in the Irish Champion Stakes last month. He clearly is at his best on soft ground over this trip, but a word of caution, he missed running in the ‘Arc’ after a dirty scope two weeks back, which is not an ideal preparation when competing against officially the two best horses in the world!
MASTER OF HOUNDS comes into the contest following a creditable success in the Topkapi Trophy in Turkey last time. He won one race from five at the Meydan Festival in Dubai in February and March, form which shows the magnitude of his task here. He is justifiably one of the rank-outsiders. German Derby winner PASTORIUS has won three of his last four starts in his native country, but was found wanting when pitched against German champion DANEDREAM in the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden over 2400 meters at Baden last month. Despite having Frankie Dettori in the saddle, he looks out of his depth in this company.
SELECTIONS: 3. FRANKEL, 2. CIRRUS DES AIGLES, 5. NATHANIEL & 6. PASTORIUS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (16 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple - 1. DANCING RAIN, 3. LA POMME D’AMOUR, 4. SAPPHIRE & 6. GREAT HEAVENS
S1-6: Multiple - 1. CARLTON HOUSE & 3. EXCELEBRATION
S1-7: Multiple - 2. CIRRUS DES AIGLES & 3. FRANKEL
Overseas Expert Column for British Champions Day (Wendyll Woods)
S1-4 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes
This looks a really good renewal, and the most topical place to start with is WIZZ KID, who got up in the dying strides to defeat the progressive young MAYSON. This beating of MAYSON is a strong piece of form and finally showed Robert Collet’s filly reaching her Group 1 potential. She finished second in this race last year, and went off joint favourite in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal Ascot Meeting. She was somewhat disappointing that day, but now comes here with the Group 1 winning form.
SOCIETY ROCK is a dual Group 1 winner who has an excellent record at Ascot, having won the 2011 Golden Jubilee Stakes on soft ground, his second course and distance win. He shaped better than the bare form suggested in his runs this season, but everything went to plan at Haydock last time, where he landed the Sprint Cup on firm ground. He beat the likes of GORDON LORD BYRON and BATED BREATH that day, and had WIZZ KID also further behind. There are very few negatives hanging over James Fanshawe’s classy sprinter, whose stablemate DEACON BLUES won the race last year (SOCIETY ROCK 12th)
LIBRANNO has had a really good season having won three times at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level. He has been kept busy, and didn’t really run to form at Newmarket last weekend. That said, he is a dangerous and hardy front runner, who finished third in this race last year.
VAN ELLIS is a huge price, and looks a real sprinter to keep on side for the next few seasons. He has run over a variety of trips, but 1200 meters looks his distance. He does look as though he needs fast conditions, which he doesn’t look like getting unfortunately. A tough ask for this three-year-old to win, but certainly one to look out for.
SELECTIONS: 10. SOCIETY ROCK, 14. WIZZ KID, 5. LIBRANNO & 13. VAN ELLIS
S1-5 QIPCO British Champions Fillies' And Mares' Stakes
Following her good sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, GREAT HEAVENS looks a worthy favourite. She has been extremely progressive this season, winning listed events before opening her Group 1 account in the Irish Oaks. Victory did not look likely early up the home straight, but she has plenty of stamina, and eventually powered away from a field that included Epsom Oaks winner WAS, and the consistent SHIROCCO STAR who should run her race again. GREAT HEAVENS is clearly best suited by testing conditions and is tactically versatile. If the ground remains soft at Ascot, she should confirm placing with the aforementioned duo.
DANCING RAIN is a really gutsy front running filly, who won the Oaks at Epsom, and also bagged the German equivalent before a sparkling display in the 2011 renewal of this. This year’s renewal looks stronger though. She has competition for the lead here, and will need to be at the top of her game to win this, having been off the track since finishing down the field in Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Kyoto last November.
Aidan O’Brien’s Epsom Oaks winner WAS, was beaten fair and square by GREAT HEAVENS at the Curragh, but in truth, has done little wrong since her shock win at Epsom, in what was a really rough race. Her latest third behind SHARETA and THE FUGUE was rather unfortunate. She was hampered in the closing stages and also struck with an opposing rider’s whip. This may not have cost her the race, but it is foolish to crab Classic form.
Andre Fabre’s LA POMME D’AMOUR is already a winner at this level after winning the Prix de Pomone at Deauville in August. This day she had subsequent Arc winner SOLEMIA back in fourth, but need to bounce back from a poor effort when well beaten in the Prix Vermeille last month.
SELECTIONS: 6. GREAT HEAVENS, 10. WAS, 3. LA POMME D'AMOUR & 1. DANCING RAIN
S1-6 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored By QIPCO
Last year’s inaugural British Champions Day was lit up by FRANKEL’s magnificent performance in this race. This year, the unbeaten colt will be seen in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, but his old adversary, EXCELEBRATION, second in the contest last year, is likely to be an extremely popular choice to win his third Group 1 and his first on British soil. Beaten on his racecourse debut at two when trained by Marco Botti incredibly, Aidan O’Brien’s colt has only been beaten since when FRANKEL lined up in the same race. This has happened five times, four of which he has filled the runner up spot. He is a standout miler, who has simply been unlucky that a horse as good as FRANKEL was a part of the same generation. This looks an excellent opportunity for EXCELEBRATION, after he accounted for the reopposing CITYSCAPE and ELUSIVE KATE in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August. He beat CITYSCAPE by a length and a quarter that day, with ELUSIVE KATE a neck further back.
CITYSCAPE is an admirable globetrotter, whose big day came at Meydan when he ran away with the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, under now regular rider, James Doyle. That was his only Group 1 victory, although he has run with credit in a variety of top level races in Europe, putting in an excellent display in the 2011 Queen Anne Stakes. His most recent run at Woodbine, resulted in third behind WISE DAN. He will need to step up markedly on that to get his head in front here and while he has won on quicker ground, being by SELKIRK, soft ground should not inconvenience him.
ELUSIVE KATE is a dual Group 1 winning filly with bags of ability. She does come with her quirks though, having hung across the track on several occasions. She will not get away with those antics on her first try at Ascot, so William Buick will be hoping she stays as straight as possible. She seems to go on any ground, and represents a jockey/trainer combination who have enjoyed a fantastic season. However, she still has plenty to find with EXCELEBRATION who brushed her aside when they met in the Prix Jacques le Marois. IMMORTAL VERSE finished third as a three-year-old filly last year, but John Gosden’s charge could better that effort this year.
CARLTON HOUSE, one time hot favourite for the Epsom Derby made an encouraging seasonal debut when winning the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. He then followed this up with a fine second at Royal Ascot over 2000 meters, but proving no match for SO YOU THINK. Connections were keen to drop him in trip, and he really should have won his latest start, the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot. He could only manage fourth that day, despite going off an odds-on favourite. He is still very keen in the early part of his races, and is suited by a strong gallop. Whether a mile is in fact his trip is up for debate, but connections certainly seem to think that it is. He has lots of ability, but has some serious question marks hanging over him. He’ll be helped by the likes of CITYSCAPE lining up, as this should ensure a true test.
For those who like to take a punt at bigger odds, Andrew Balding’s five-year-old, SIDE GLANCE, was a distant third to FRANKEL in the Queen Anne Stakes.
SELECTIONS: 3. EXCELEBRATION, 8. ELUSIVE KATE, 2. CITYSCAPE & 1. CARLTON HOUSE
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (9 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker - 6.GREAT HEAVENS
Selections - 10. WAS, 3. LA POMME D’AMOUR & 1. DANCING RAIN
S1-6:
Banker - 3. EXCELEBRATION
Selections- 8. ELUSIVE KATE, 2. CITYSCAPE & 1. CARLTON HOUSE
S1-7 QIPCO Champion Stakes
FRANKEL needs no real introduction. We have seen him dominate flat racing for the past three seasons under the expert tutelage of Sir Henry Cecil. From an unbeaten two-year-old campaign, he kept his unblemished record at three, before looking better than ever with four Group 1 victories this season. The latest was his ninth Group 1 in total, and stretched his unbeaten record to thirteen, partnered each time by Tom Queally. It was also the first time he had raced further than a mile as he lined up in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. He took the step up in his stride, beating the admirable FARHH by 7 lengths. A nose back was Coronation Cup and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner ST NICHOLAS ABBEY with multiple Group 1 winner TWICE OVER further back in fourth. It was a truly incredible performance. He is the star attraction of British Champions Day, with many turning up or tuning in to see Sir Henry Cecil’s colt, the highest rated horse in the world, run in what is in all probability, his final race. He can’t be opposed from a win perspective.
He takes on more suitable rivals than ever though, namely 2011 winner CIRRUS DES AIGLES, who last year defeated SO YOU THINK under Christophe Soumillon. He has had a dramatic campaign this time around, failing a doping test following his shock defeat to GOLDEN LILAC. He silenced the doubters on Arc weekend though, winning the Group 2 Prix Dollar by seven lengths, after a 132-day layoff. While this was a visually impressive performance, in reality he beat nothing of note. However, he is a genuine Group 1 horse over a mile and a quarter, something FRANKEL is yet to face. He’ll make a bold bid to break the heart of FRANKEL and his supporters.
NATHANIEL poses a further threat to FRANKEL. He is a Group 1 winner over this trip, that victory coming in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, coming from 266 days off the track. He missed the Arc after unsatisfactory blood tests and this will be the first time he and the world’s greatest racehorse line up together since FRANKEL beat NATHANIEL half a length on their respective debuts at Newmarket in August 2010.
PASTORIUS is likely to represent Germany. He is a dual Group 1 winner, including a victory on soft ground over a mile and a quarter. He was only beaten a length by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and 2011 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner DANEDREAM over further. Back at this distance, the three-year-old is likely to make the frame.
SELECTIONS: 3. FRANKEL, 2. CIRRUS DES AIGLES, 5. NATHANIEL & 6. PASTORIUS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (8 unit bets):
S1-5: 6. GREAT HEAVENS & 10. WAS
S1-6: 3. EXCELEBRATION & 8. ELUSIVE KATE
S1-7: 3. FRANKEL & 2. CIRRUS DES AIGLES
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