 Tim Carroll 's Bio | |
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| Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following. | |
Ascot Racecourse – Track Analysis (British Champions Day)
Ascot is a large right-handed galloping triangular shaped track, just over 2800m in circumference, with a straight run of 500m on the round course. There is a straight 1600m course, which all races below 1600m (except 1594m) are held. There are two start points for races run over a mile, one on the round course (1594m) and the other on the straight course (1600m).
The track was redeveloped in 2005 and the ground in the straight drains quicker than the rest of the course, meaning ground descriptions can vary. Being a large track with an uphill finish dragging almost the entire straight, Ascot suits hold-up horses, and front-runners need to be ridden conservatively to ensure they save energy.
Six races will be simulcast from British Champions Day, three on the straight course and three on the round course.
The three races on the straight course are the 1600m G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Balmoral Handicap, also the 1200m G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes. On the straight course, low barriers are drawn on the far side with high numbers closest to the grandstand rail. In smaller fields over 1200m, they tend to come down the middle, but in larger fields they can split into two and even three groups. The straight draw results will vary, but it is advisable to look for the speed angle, especially in larger fields, as the winner usually comes from where the pace is, and results are more paces dependent than draw dependent.
The straight 1600m sees similar principles to the 1200m regarding where the runners will head. However, with the straight course being uphill nearly all the way, the further they go the more it suits horses ridden patiently, and those ridden with restraint normally do well.
The three races on the round course are the 1993m G1 Champions Stakes, 2392m G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, also the 3190m G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. Over 3190m, runners start from toward the top of the home straight, approximately 400m before the winning post. They head uphill until the first turn before running downhill to Swindley Bottom where they level out and turn into the side straight which sees a steady rise to the home turn. They then enter the 500m home straight, and run uphill until the finish. Barriers are of no consequence, but it is a stamina testing contest and although those on the front will be afforded every opportunity in steadily run races, backmarkers are suited in races run at an honest tempo as the uphill rise in the straight will take its toll on those ridden aggressively.
The trip for the 2392m G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and the feature race 1993m G1 Champion Stakes are similar to that of 3190m. The only difference is that the runners start from the highest point of the course, which is on the top of the back straight for 2392m, then head downhill for nearly 400m to the Swindley Bottom. The runners travel downhill for approximately 200m before levelling out at Swindley Bottom for 1993m.
The Champions Stakes is a race that is usually won by a very good horse with FRANKEL, ALMANZOR, CRACKSMAN, and 2013 Hong Kong Cup third, CIRRUS DES AIGLES, among recent winners. During the last ten running’s barriers have been of no consequence. Favourites have won five of the last ten renewals.
Last year’s Champion Stakes was run on Good to Soft ground with a field of nine going to post. ADDEYBB took up the running with ADAYAR, who had dwelt slightly at the start, ridden up to sit outsider the leader. FOXES TALES tracked the pair, followed by French raider SEALIWAY, with the favourite, MISHRIFF, to that’s ones inside. The race held its shape until 650m out when ADAYAR, who had travelled powerfully, moved up and went by ADDEYBB, with SEALIWAY and MISHRIFF following through, as FOXES TALES began to struggle. ADAYAR was sent for home at the top of the straight, but SEALIWAY looked to be travelling much the best and took over 400m from home with MISHRIFF trying to join in on the outside, whilst both MAC SWINEY and DUBAI HONOUR were making up late ground from the back. Just as SEALIWAY had got the better of ADAYAR and with MISHRIFF now also seen off, it was DUBAI HONOUR on the outside who looked like he would snatch victory, but to his credit, SEALIWAY found plenty for pressure and saw off his final challenger, DUBAI HONOUR, to record a three-quarter length victory, and MAC SWINEY finished third.
The weather forecast suggests there will be rain during the week in the lead up, and the possibility of light showers on race day. Six of the last ten Champions Days have been run on Soft ground, and one on Heavy. Given the forecast, it likely this year’s meeting will have Soft in the going description.
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