Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot Champions Day Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 12.55 – British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (GBB Race)
I think Inner City Blues (5/2) will bounce back.
He was slightly disappointing at Newmarket last time and didn't come down the dip that well. I know he won at Newmarket prior but it was on the July track, so it’s pretty different. That was obviously at the top level last time as well.
I think Inner City Blues can bounce back with Ascot being a track that suits him.
I’m hoping for a better run back at a lesser grade.
Megan’s Tip: Inner City Blues WIN
Ascot 13.30 – British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1)
I’m going with Gregory (3/1), who’s made the most amazing comeback this season.
We knew previously, a couple of seasons ago, that he was extremely talented but lost his way. John & Thady Gosden have worked their magic with him.
It was obviously a lesser race in a small field at Newmarket last time but he absolutely bolted up; it was great to see.
Gregory showed a good attitude when winning and having to battle a bit more at York on his return from a massive break.
I’m sticking with him. He’s a fresher horse than plenty of these in the field, too.
Megan’s Tip: Gregory WIN
Ascot 14.05 – British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)
Almeraq (6/5 fav) for me here.
I’ve stuck with him all season and he’s been far superior with only one disappointing run.
Good and proven at Ascot, he was better than ever at Haydock last time and I can’t see him being beaten. I think he will shorten up before the off.
There’s loads to like about this horse and the more Tom Marquand has ridden him, the more he’s kind of worked him out.
They seem to be getting it spot on this year.
Megan’s Tip: Almeraq WIN
Ascot 14.40 – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)
Kalpana (5/4 fav) can recover after the Arc like she did last year.
I think she’s above and beyond the other fillies in this division.
She didn’t disgrace herself last time in France but, for whatever reason, that race didn’t seem to suit her.
I think she can improve here at Ascot and, hopefully, help all but secure trainer Andrew Balding the trainers' championship which he, in my opinion, deserves.
He’s had a phenomenal year. If she could be the nail in the coffin to confirm he does win, I think that could be really special.
Megan’s Tip: Kalpana WIN
Ascot 15.20 – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)
Talk Of New York (3/1) is a horse that I've loved since seeing him really early in his career over in Meydan.
He’s promised loads. The key is getting him settled and in a rhythm; the better the race, the more likely they go at a strong gallop with a good bit of pace on here to suit him.
He’s not actually had the hardest year and deserves the step back up in grade to try the top level once again.
It’s a really wide-open race and often we’ve seen, in the mile division this year, that there hasn’t been one horse that’s far superior.
But I think Talk Of New York is full of promise, is extremely talented and deserves to line up.
He’s not too dissimilar to stablemate Opera Ballo, who’s also a really free, keen goer.
Megan’s Tip: Talk Of New York WIN
Ascot 16.00 – Champion Stakes (Group 1)
I’m going with Ombudsman (15/8 jt fav) to bounce back from finishing fourth in the Juddmonte at York in August.
Prior to that he was absolutely thriving. I don’t think he was at his best in the Juddmonte, regardless of the race setup.
He goes particularly well at Ascot and has been given a bit of time to get over that disappointment. I can see him really bouncing back here.
A couple of the horses have run recently and had some relatively hard races, whereas he comes into this just that bit fresher and his turn of foot is lethal.
He lines up against Calandagan (15/8 jt fav) again here but I’m siding with Ombudsman this time, with the relatively dry weather keeping the ground just about to his favoured conditions.
Megan’s Tip: Ombudsman WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
