 Tim Carroll 's Bio | |
|---|---|
| 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.
Ascot is designed with two separate tracks that run side by side. On the inside (inner course) there is a jumping track, and the outside course is used for flat racing. Like the main course, the inner course drains well, but given the lack of use during the English summer, the going is expected to be better. The inner course has all the same characteristics as the outer course.
This year, due to heavy rain, the inner course will be in use for all races on the round course, which last occurred 2019.
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. 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 2000m G1 Champions Stakes, 2321m G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, also the 3115m G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. Over 3115m, 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 2321m G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and the feature race 2000m G1 Champion Stakes are similar to that of 3115m. 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 2321m, then head downhill for nearly 400m to the Swindley Bottom. The runners travel downhill for approximately 200m before levelling out at Swindley Bottom for 2000m.
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 the past winners. During the last ten running’s barriers have been of no consequence. Favourites have won four 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. STONE AGE took up the running with ROYAL CHAMPION to his outside, closely followed by BAY BRIDGE and MY PROSPERO in behind the leaders, whilst the red-hot favourite, BAAEED, and ADAYAR, settled in midfield. At the halfway stage there had been no change in the order, although it was noticeable that all the riders had elected to stay a few metres off the inside rail. The race held its shape until they came around the home bend, at which point STONE AGE still led, but ROYAL CHAMPION hoisted the white flag, with BAY BRIDGE and ADAYAR, who had made a sharp move on the outside, both travelling notably well, and MY PROSPERO also joined in, with BAAEED in behind the pack. STONE AGE was the next to crack, and with just over 300m to go, ADAYAR hit the front with BAY BRIDGE challenging on his inside, whilst the undefeated BAAEED surprisingly came under pressure. Over the final 200m BAY BRIDGE and ADAYAR looked they were going to fight it out, and although MY PROSPERO rallied over the concluding stages, it was BAY BRIDGE who prevailed by half a length from ADAYAR with MY PROSERO a nose back in third, followed by a disappointing BAAEED, in a time that was 5.16 seconds slower than standard.
The weather forecast suggests there will be rain during the week in the lead up, and the possibility of showers on race day could affect the track condition on the raceday. Please be advised to pay attention on weather update.
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