Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

 

Expert Column for British Champions Day (S3) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S3-1     British Champions Long Distance Cup

 

KYPRIOS suffered a surprise defeat in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup over 3,115m 12 months ago, but he looks primed to go one better this time around. Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer had to settle for the runner’s-up spot behind TRAWLERMAN following an epic battle in last year’s race in what was only his second start of the season. However, the 6YO has looked back to his brilliant best this season winning all six of his starts with his last four all achieved at G1 level. Although his most recent outing was only 14 days ago in the G1 Prix du Cadran over 4,000m at ParisLongchamp those exertions have clearly not taken a toll, and with no issue regarding the soft conditions, he looks hard to oppose. 

 

Last year’s winner TRAWLERMAN has been campaigned lightly by John & Thady Gosden and he looks set to mount a bold bid in the defence of his title. The GOLDEN HORN gelding finished second on his only start in Britain this year behind KYPRIOS in the G1 Gold Cup over 3,991m back in June’s Royal Ascot. Fitness levels have to be taken on trust following a four-month break, but the drop back in trip is likely to play to his strengths and he should be involved in the finish. 

 

AL NAYYIR showed his second in the G2 Lonsdale Cup over 3,300m at York on his first start for Tom Clover was no fluke when bolting up in the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes over 3,200m at Newmarket last month. Although more recently campaigned on quicker conditions the 6YO showed last time out, and during his early days in France, that he is equally adept on soft ground. Another step forward will be required here, but judged on his latest performance that could easily be possible. 

 

SWEET WILLIAM finished a well-held third in this race 12 months ago for the Gosden team, but he has taken his form to new heights this season. Following the application of a visor, the SEA THE STARS gelding has posted wins in the G3 Henry II Stakes over 3,200m at Sandown and the G2 Doncaster Cup over 3,600m. A supporting role might be on the cards again, however his current form suggests he won’t be far away. 

 

CAIUS CHORISTER will need to settle better if she is to leave behind her below par effort in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp, but having run well in defeat all season, and with conditions to her liking, there is every chance she could run into a place. 

 

SELECTIONS: 5. KYPRIOS, 7. TRAWLERMAN, 1. AL NAYYIR, 6. SWEET WILLIAM & 8. CAIUS CHORISTER

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S3-1: Multiple – 5. KYPRIOS & 7. TRAWLERMAN
S3-2: Multiple – 10. SPYCATCHER & 4. KINROSS

 

S3-2     British Champions Sprint Stakes

 

The British Champions Sprint Stakes is run over Ascot’s straight 1,200m track and is the final G1 sprint in the UK in 2024. The rain has continued to hit Ascot in the build up to the race, so punters will want to keep soft ground specialists on side. One such horse is SPYCATCHER whose form figures of 3 wins & 4 places on soft or worse surfaces make for eye-catching reading. This includes a third when not having the smoothest of passages in this race 12 months ago. He has found the ground too fast on his last two starts and is better judged on his G3 win at Deauville in August over 1,200m. He could be ready to win his maiden G1. 

 

KINROSS turned this race into a procession when he won it back in 2022 and should be able to give a strong account of himself again. The two-time G1 winner is now a 7YO and is extremely likeable, having won 11 of his 33 races for Ralph Beckett. 2024 hadn’t gone to plan until victory in a Doncaster G2 over 1,400m showed the gelding to be back to near his best. His most recent run over 1,400m at ParisLongchamp was a fine effort, only beaten by a very smart filly, and he should be there at the finish. 

 

While KINROSS has been competing at G1 level for many years, FLORA OF BERMUDA is new to top level racing. Andrew Balding’s 3YO was G2-placed as a juvenile and took three goes to get off the mark this term. That win came over 1,200m at York in G3 company, and since then she has run with credit in G1 events over the same trip, so she’s worth keeping on side. 

 

MONTASSIB defeated FLORA OF BERMUDA in their most recent outings, the G1 Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock in September and has to be respected. William Haggas’ gelding has progressed from a handicapper into a G1 winner this campaign thanks to his victory at Haydock. He’ll love the soft ground and should be there at the finish. 

 

ANNAF is yet to win a race of this standing but is ground versatile and could surprise a few. Trained by Michael Appleby, he is a course and distance winner from 2023, and while he’ll need to bounce back from two average recent runs, his liking for the track and conditions will stand him in good stead. 

 

SELECTIONS: 10. SPYCATCHER, 4. KINROSS, 20. FLORA OF BERMUDA, 6. MONTASSIB & 1. ANNAF

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S3-2: Multiple – 10. SPYCATCHER & 4. KINROSS
S3-3: Multiple – 2. QUANTANAMERA & 12. KALPANA

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S3-2:   
Banker – 10. SPYCATCHER
Selections – 4. KINROSS, 20. FLORA OF BERMUDA, 6. MONTASSIB & 1. ANNAF
S3-3:   
Banker – 2. QUANTANAMERA
Selections – 12. KALPANA, 7. TIFFANY, 3. QUEEN OF THE PRIDE & 9. VILLAGE VOICE

 

S3-3     British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

 

With rain expected to fall at Ascot, the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over 2,321m looks a real staying test, and there are several soft-ground performers to keep an eye out for. The daughter of LOPE DE VEGA, QUANTANAMERA, looks like she’ll relish the testing surface with all of her best performances to date on softer ground. Recently campaigned in France and Germany, the German filly has been impressive, particularly when winning by four lengths at Deauville in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville over 2,500m last time out. Should the rain fall ahead of this one, she’ll be one to keep a keen eye on. 

 

KALPANA does seem the class horse of the race, though, with her 3YO weight allowance a positive. Jockey William Buick has been booked to ride this Andrew Balding-trained filly following her extremely successful year on track. Last seen at Kempton in the G3 September Stakes over 2,400m, KALPANA looked very impressive on the polytrack and had plenty in hand over the others pulling over four lengths clear of her rivals. The question mark though is whether the turf will be too soft for her here. 

 

TIFFANY runs for Sir Mark Prescott, and has had a mightily successful season since her reappearance in May. Since then, this filly has won two Group races, with her most recent triumph landing the G2 race over 2,400m in Germany. She looks a key contender on the soft track and has a good chance of finding the frame. 

 

QUEEN OF THE PRIDE is the favoured pick of John & Thady Gosden’s entries having beaten TIFFANY by three lengths at Haydock in the G2 Lancashire Oaks over 2,400m in July. It’s worth putting a line through her last run, in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks over 2,400m in August, as she just didn’t seem to turn up that day, but with almost two months break coming here, we could see her back to her best. 

 

Jessica Harrington’s VILLAGE VOICE has shown herself to be a high-class filly when encountering a deeper surface. Last seen winning well at Saint-Cloud in the Listed Prix des Tourelles over 2,400m following a significant layoff of 116 days, any improvement from that run would see her in with a good chance of finding the places. A month off the track since her last win should have freshened her up too. 

 

SELECTIONS: 2. QUANTANAMERA, 12. KALPANA, 7. TIFFANY, 3. QUEEN OF THE PRIDE & 9. VILLAGE VOICE

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S3-3: Multiple – 2. QUANTANAMERA & 12. KALPANA
S3-4: Multiple – 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL & 11. METROPOLITAN

 

S3-4     Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

 

French-trained horses hold a strong hand in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. They have a great record in this prestigious 1,600m prize, having taken the trophy back across the English Channel four times in the last 10 years. FACTEUR CHEVAL was allowed to drift back into rear before staying on strongly to finish runner-up behind fellow French-raider BIG ROCK in last year’s race. However, he was ridden much more prominently by jockey Maxime Guyon, who again partners the gelding, when landing the Dubai Turf over 1,800m at Meydan in March. There’s no doubt he’ll need to improve on his midfield finish behind CHARYN in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1,600m at Royal Ascot and his third in the G1 Sussex Stakes over 1,600m at Goodwood, but the softer ground will suit him much better. 

 

METROPOLITAN won the French version of the 2000 Guineas over 1,600m on soft ground at Longchamp in May. He backed it up by finishing third behind ROSALLION and HENRY LONGFELLOW on a much quicker surface in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. His second behind CHARYN in the G1 Jacques Le Marois over 1,600m at Deauville gives him ground to make up, but the testing conditions make this a totally different scenario. 

 

CHARYN has been the star miler of the British summer. His four victories include impressive top-level wins in the Queen Anne Stakes over 1,600m and Prix Jacques le Marois over 1,600m. He allowed TRIBALIST to get away from him when second behind the all-the-way winner in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over 1,600m at the Paris track last month. That came on soft ground and, although he has won on testing conditions, his best form has come on a much quicker surface. His hard season might also catch up with him. 

 

TAMFANA has looked very good since returning to 1,600m races after trying 2,400m when fourth in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July. Her defeat of top-class INSPIRAL in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes over 1,600m at Newmarket two weeks ago was an impressive performance from an improving 3YO filly. 

 

PRAGUE only made his debut in June and he has progressed into a smart performer. He’ll need to take another step forward from his easy victory in the G2 Joel Stakes over 1,600m on soft ground at Newmarket last month, but he certainly looks capable of doing so. 

 

SELECTIONS: 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 11. METROPOLITAN, 1. CHARYN, 13. TAMFANA & 6. PRAGUE

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S3-4: Multiple – 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL & 11. METROPOLITAN
S3-5: Multiple – 7. CALANDAGAN & 8. ECONOMICS

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S3-4:   
Banker – 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL
Selections – 11. METROPOLITAN, 1. CHARYN, 13. TAMFANA & 6. PRAGUE
S3-5:   
Banker – 7. CALANDAGAN
Selections – 8. ECONOMICS, 3. IRESINE, 10. LOS ANGELES & 9. KING’S GAMBIT

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S3-4: Multiple – 3. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 11. METROPOLITAN & 1. CHARYN
S3-5: Multiple – 7. CALANDAGAN, 8. ECONOMICS & 3. IRESINE
S3-6: Multiple – 11. BOPEDRO, 9. MR PROFESSOR & 14. TOIMY SON

 

S3-5     Champion Stakes

 

Only twice in the last six years have the classic generation beaten their elders in the prestigious G1 Champion Stakes over 2,000m. But in ECONOMICS and CALANDAGAN we have two late arrivals at the top table who have claims to be among the best middle-distance horses in Europe. Though an impressive winner of the G2 Dante Stakes at York in May, ECONOMICS was considered too immature to take his chance in the Derby at Epsom. Instead, William Haggas gave ECONOMICS time to furnish, and an easy comeback win at Deauville over 2,000m encouraged connections to take on the big boys in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes over 2,000m at Leopardstown, where he dug deep to gain a hard-earned neck success over last year’s Derby winner AUGUSTE RODIN. 

 

French trainers have a good record in this race, and in CALANDAGAN and the veteran IRESINE they have two raiders whose proven stamina could be crucial should the ground worsen. Like ECONOMICS, CALANDAGAN has made phenomenal progress, winning two G3 races at Longchamp over 2,100m and 2,200m respectively before destroying G2 opposition in the King Edward VII Stakes over 2,400m at Royal Ascot. However, CALANDAGAN is equally effective at the shorter trips, as was evident in the G1 Juddmonte International over 2,100m at York. He was the only one able to live with the aggressive tactics of the brilliant CITY OF TROY, who needed to break the track record to hold off his determined challenge. 

 

IRESINE, who is at his best when the mud is flying, has a remarkable record, winning 15 of his 23 races, all but one with the talented Marie Velon aboard. He has both speed and stamina, having proved he can beat the best from 2,100m to 3,100m, being impressive when coming from last to first to gain his sixth victory at Longchamp in last month’s Prix Foy over 2,400m. 

 

LOS ANGELES has excelled over 2,400m, winning both the Irish Derby and the Great Voltigeur. However, though he was only just behind ECONOMICS at Leopardstown over 2,000m, there is still the worry that it is only 13 days since he had another hard race to finish third in the Arc at Longchamp over 2,400m. 

 

KING’S GAMBIT was one of the unluckiest losers of the week at Royal Ascot, where his turbo-charged finish only just failed in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes. However, this will be the softest ground he has encountered. 

 

SELECTIONS: 7. CALANDAGAN, 8. ECONOMICS, 3. IRESINE, 10. LOS ANGELES & 9. KING’S GAMBIT

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S3-5: Multiple – 7. CALANDAGAN & 8. ECONOMICS
S3-6: Multiple – 11. BOPEDRO & 9. MR PROFESSOR

 

S3-6     Balmoral Handicap

 

The closing race on British Champions Day is the Balmoral Handicap run over Ascot’s straight course. With ground conditions set to be testing this 1,600m is going to be a true stamina test and an ability to handle heavy ground will be key. 

 

Trainer David O’Meara has won this race three times in the last 10 years, and his BOPEDRO has plenty of form on testing ground. He finished fourth in this race last year, when the going was soft, and is now much better off at the weights. His third at Ascot over 1,400m a few weeks ago was a promising effort, as he stayed on strongly at the finish, and this return to 1,600m should suit him. 

 

MR PROFESSOR won the Lincoln Handicap over 1,600m on soft ground at Doncaster at the beginning of the season. He hasn’t been in the same form in two runs since, finishing down the field in big handicaps at Newmarket over 1,800m in May and Ascot over 1,400m in June. However, both those runs have been on ground that has probably been quicker than ideal, so back on an easy surface and over 1,600m he could be primed for a better effort. 

 

TOIMY SON is another horse that saves his best for soft ground and stays well over this distance. David Menuisier’s 5YO has had a busy campaign but has held his form well, winning the highly competitive Golden Mile Handicap over 1,600m at Goodwood in August. Last time out at Newmarket, he perhaps found the 1,800m trip too far when fading into third at the finish. The winner of that has since gone on to finish second in a G3, so the form has a strong look to it, and he can go well back over this trip from an unchanged handicap mark. 

 

LATTAM finished second behind MR PROFESSOR in the Lincoln back in March and would have got closer that day had he not met interference when beginning his run through the field. He was also unlucky when not getting a clear run in this race last year, before storming home to finish seventh, and with more luck this time he is more than capable of hitting the frame. 

 

Irish raider STATE ACTOR is lightly raced after only six starts but has already won a big handicap on heavy ground at the Curragh in May. Most recently he lost out by a head at the Curragh, and could have more to come despite a small rise in the weights. 

 

SELECTIONS: 11. BOPEDRO, 9. MR PROFESSOR, 14. TOIMY SON, 17. LATTAM & 19. STATE ACTOR

 

 

 

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