QIPCO British Champions Day on Saturday is the finale of the British Flat racing season.
A wet Ascot racecourse is set alight on the nation’s richest ever raceday, as champions are crowned kings and queens of the turf.
Stradivarius – looking for a back-to-back victory in Long Distance Cup
Top horses and jockeys from across the globe will be in action to compete for a £4.2 million purse.
But watch the weather!
With further rain expected and Ascot’s round course already waterlogged, clerk of the course Chris Stickels has moved the three affected races on the illustrious card to the inner hurdles track.
The prospect of using the round course this weekend had appeared unlikely with areas of standing water having little chance of drying out due to the forecast. Rain is forecast every day up to, and including, Saturday with the straight course already riding heavy.
The day promises to be packed with star quality after 25 Group 1 winners remained in contention for Saturday’s showpiece fixture at the five-day entry stage.
Fan favourite Stradivarius will be among the headline acts and the five-year-old entire is set to complete a glittering campaign when bidding for back-to-back victories in the Long Distance Cup.
His trainer John Gosden has also left in lightly-raced September Stakes winner Royal Line, while Aidan O’Brien could fire 2018 St Leger winner Kew Gardens at the race.
The last three winners of the Champions Sprint are in line to do battle again, with last year’s winner Sands Of Mali set to take on Librisa Breeze and The Tin Man.
Advertise, winner of the course-and-distance Commonwealth Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest this season, is the current favourite. Sprint Cup winner Hello Youmzain, Prix de la Foret heroine One Master and the Michael Dods-trained Mabs Cross could feature among the opposition.
Watch all the action from Ascot on Tellytrack (Dstv 239) on Saturday afternoon.
