 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 home straight run of 500m on the round course. There is a straight 1600m course, which all races below 1594m are held. On the straight course, low barriers are drawn on the far side. There are two starting points for races run over 1600m and 1594m, one on the straight course and the other on the round course.
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.
This year, six races on turf will be simulcast from British Champions Day, three on the straight course and three on the round course.
Feature Race
G1 Champion Stakes (1993m)
Over 1993m they start on the back straight and travel downhill for approximately 200m, before levelling out at Swindley Bottom, route turning into a straight that sees a steady rise to the home turn. They then enter the 500m home straight and run uphill until the finish. The G1 Champion 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. The average field size in that time is 9.5, with an average winning barrier of 5.1, and 3YO’s have been success four times in the last ten years.
Other Races
G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup (3190m)
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.
G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes (1200m)
Over 1200m, the low barriers are drawn on the far side with high numbers closest to the grandstand rail. In smaller fields 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 pace dependent than draw dependent. Over the last ten running’s, the race has seen an average field size of 16, with an average winning barrier of 7.8. Favourites have a poor recent record with only three successful over the last ten years.
G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2392m)
Over the 2393m, runner start from the highest point of the course, which is on the left-hand side of the track after the winning post. From there they head downhill for nearly 400m before levelling out at Swindley Bottom then turning into a straight that sees a steady rise to the home turn. They then enter the 500m home straight and run uphill until the finish. During the last ten running’s, barriers have been of no consequence. The average size field in that time is 11.6, with an average winning barrier of 8.7. Favourites have a poor record with only two successful since 2014.
G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes & Balmoral Handicap (1600m)
On the straight course, low barriers are drawn on the far side with high numbers closest to the grandstand rail. 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. Over the last 10 running’s, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes has seen an average field size of 12.1, with an average winning barrier of 7.87. Favourites have only won three of the last ten renewals, with the last successful market leader being ROARING LION in 2018.
The weather forecast suggests there will be light rain during the week in the lead up, and the possibility of light showers on race day. Nine of the last ten Champions Days have been run on ground with Soft or Heavy in the going description. Given the forecast, it likely the meeting will have Soft in the going description again this year.
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