2021 Champions Day Preview & Betting Tips from Every Race at Ascot

The finale of the flat season takes place at Ascot this weekend as some of the best horses in the world compete in the final big meeting of the season.

This looks to be one of the most competitive Champions Day cards in recent years and the fine weather also gives us better ground that we have seen in recent times. Some of the big match-ups include Palace Pier vs Baaeed in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Trueshan vs Stradivarius in the opening race on the card, the Long Distance Cup.

Our resident ITV Racing tipster Henry Gibbs has been through the card to pick out his best bet for each race, including a NAP and NB.

 

1:25 Ascot

The 1:25 race from Ascot is a cracking renewal of the Long Distance Cup, a race for the stayers over 2m. Trueshan heads the market but connections will be doing the rain dance.

The one I like is BERKSHIRE ROCCO EW (16/1 with Bet Victor). He has only had two runs this season, finishing second on both occasions and on that form you couldn’t back him in this. However, he had really strong form last season that including a fine 2nd in the St Leger with the likes of Subjectivist and Pyledriver in behind. He’s had a nice break since and he comes in here fresher than most. He is a course winner here at Ascot and I get the impression the further he goes, the better he will be. He has never finished outside the top 2 when running over 1m6f+. In a wide open renewal of the race, I’m happy to take him each way here.

⭐OFFER: Bet Victor are paying four places on the 1.25pm at Ascot.

 

2.00 Ascot

The 2:00 race is the Champion Sprint Stakes, a Group 1 contest over the 6f trip and again we have a wide open renewal of the race.

My selection is GLEN SHIEL EW (16/1 with Betfred). He has a fantastic record over this course and distance which includes a victory in this race last year. He was disappointing last time out finishing fifth here at Ascot but I’m hopeful he can bounce back now he is reunited with Hollie Doyle. 16/1 is fair for the winner of the race last year who I believe is capable of bouncing back.

⭐OFFER: Betfred are paying five places on the 2pm at Ascot.

 

2:35 Ascot

The 2:35 race is the Fillies and Mares Stakes, a Group 1 over 1m4f which Snowfall is an odds on favourite and is clear of this lost on ratings.

However, she has had a hard season and I’m happy to take her on with an each way alternative. My selection is TRIBAL CRAFT EW (22/1 with William Hill). A horse that has always shown potential when putting her best foot forward I think this race could suit her well. Aiden O’Brien’s La Jaconde is likely to set a decent pace and the selection will be well suited by this as she is proven over further. Any rain would be welcomed and Oisin Murphy will be eager to get another winner on the board. She will be ridden to pick up the pieces potentially but she can stay on well and grab some prize money at least.

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3:10 Ascot

The 3:10 race is a fantastic renewal of the QEII Stakes, a Group 1 over the straight mile. Palace Pier and Baaeed lock horns at the head of the market and it’s a case of the proven vs the potential. I’d favour Palace Pier out the two.

However, I’ll go with ALCOHOL FREE EW (10/1 with bet365) here. There isn’t much pace in the line-up and I think that’ll suit her as she is likely to sit handy and hopefully she can utilise her turn of foot and catch the market rivals sleeping. She is a class act given the fact she’s already won a Coronation Stakes and a Sussex Stakes and last time out was an experiment as 1m2f wasn’t her ideal trip. Back down to the mile here, she’ll do for me at the prices.

SIGN-UP OFFER: get 20/1 for Palace Pier OR Baaeed to win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (£1 bet returns £20).

 

3:50 Ascot

The 3:50 race is the Champion Stakes, another great Group 1 race, this time over 1m2f.

My selection is MISHRIFF NB (7/4 with William Hill). Beaten by market rival Adayar over 1m4f in the King George I think he will reverse that form over this shorter trip. Mishriff was arguably outstayed in the King George as he travelled into it the best horse but couldn’t get past the Derby winner. He put that right when trouncing the field in the Juddmonte at York over this trip and I think he’ll back that up here. He won’t won’t rain so the only concern for me would be if the ground turns soft. Good to soft or better and he’s going to be very tough to beat in my book.

 

4:30 Ascot

The Balmoral handicap ends proceedings and it is a competitive handicap over the famous straight mile at Ascot.

My selection is SUNRAY MAJOR NAP (5/2 with bet365). I think he is a Group horse in a handicap and will prove tough to beat here. The well bred son of Dubawi has won his last two starts in decisive manor including here at Ascot over 7f last time out. He stayed on strongly that day running right through the line which suggests this mile distance will be no issue at all and it could arguably even bring out further improvement.

⭐OFFER: bet365 are best odds guaranteed on every Champions Day race, from now.

 

SEVEN free £5 bets for Champions Day

1 Open an 888Sport account and bet £10 on the 1.25pm at Ascot.

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• £5 free bet 2.35pm
• £5 free bet 3.10pm
• £5 free bet 3.50pm
• £5 free bet 4.30pm
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• £5 free bet any other race

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