Champions Day 2018 Racing Winner Odds & Predictions

End of season flat festivities kick off at Ascot

Horse Racing Betting

Champions Day – Ascot, October 20th, 2018

One of the biggest days of British racing will be with us this weekend for the Champions Day 2018. This is a meeting at Ascot which has been held every year since 2001 and it is the end of season highlight of flat racing.

It is the richest day in British racing with the finals of the five divisions of the series running, along with a one-mile handicap.

Table of Contents

Races

British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) 2m
British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) 6f
British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes (Group 1) 1m 4f
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) 1m
Champion Stakes (Group 1) 1m 2f
Balmoral Handicap Handicap 1m

Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes Betting Odds

Lah Ti Dar 11/8
Kitesurf 9/2
Coronet 5/1
Magical 7/1
Hydrangea 7/1
Pilaster 12/1
God Given 20/1
Bye Bye Baby 40/1
Broadway 50/1
Sizzling 50/1
Flattering 100/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm)

Lah Ti Dar came home second in the Leger, a really strong Leger and that which has left her in good standing in the betting for this one. The inexperience in her came through though and couldn’t quite find that extra when she needed it. So she may be worth swerving for this one and Kitesurf and Magical both are serious contenders. Kitesurf missed the Arc de Triomphe in favour of this and the quicker the pace, the bigger a threat. Magical had a strange race at the Paris Longchamp running out wide to finish tenth but actually stayed pretty well. Kitesurf, with back to back wins, gets our nod at 9/2* (betting odds taken on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm).

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup Betting Odds

Stradivarius 5/6
Flag of Honour 9/4
Thomas Hobson 9/1
Sir Erec 12/1
Mount Moriah 14/1
Desert Skyline 33/1
Cypress Creek 33/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm)

With four wins from four in 2018 Stradivarius takes top billing here. There’s little surprise in that and not a lot of punters will oppose. However, there could be soft ground at Ascot on the weekend to slow him up. With Stradivarius not having won by a big margin in 2018 is it worth looking beyond? Flag of Honour is seen as the main challenger after a win at the Irish St Leger, but there was a fairly weak field there. That did follow up a success at Curragh in the Irish St Leger Trial Stakes. Sir Erec has a bit of form and makes nice each way value at 12/1* (betting odds taken on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm) here after back to back wins and won’t mind the slower ground. Mount Moriah was fourth in this race last year and will like the softer ground. It’s an easy way on Sir Erec to oppose Stradivarius if the going is soft.

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes Betting Odds

The Tin Man 11/4
Librisa Breeze 5/1
Harry Angel 5/1
Brando 8/1
Tasleet 8/1
Sir Dancealot 14/1
Limato 16/1
Projection 16/1
Son Of rest 16/1
Sands Of Mali 20/1
Speak In Colours 20/1
Don Juan Triumphant 22/1
Dream of Dreams 28/1
Bacchus 33/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm)

This is one tough competitive field to pick from. It is probably the toughest out of all the races going off on the card on Champions Day. Librisa Breeze has held solid at 5/1 odds* (betting odds taken on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm) despite a poor run out last time. He has the class and turn of foot though as long as enough rest has been given, which was the issue with his poor run at Newbury. Harry Angel doesn’t have the Ascot form, not compared to Librisa Breeze anyway and is worth a pass. The Tin Man has had a busy 2018 with two wins from four, his lowest place finish at fourth. He got the better of Brando by half a length at Haydock at the start of September 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes and he was fifth here behind Librisa Breeze last year. Brando opened 2018 with a win over Sir Dancealot but has since lost to Harry Angel and The Tin Man. Librisa Breeze still appeals for us.

Qipco Champion Stakes Betting Odds

Cracksman 5/6
Crystal Ocean 9/4
Capri 13/2
Monarchs Glen 12/1
Verbal Dexterity 20/1
Rhododendron 33/1
Subway Dancer 100/1
Maverick Wave 100/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm)

One of the star attractions of the day is going to be Cracksman who won this last year. He was simply brilliant and untouchable twelve months ago, but it’s not quite the same for him at the moment. He hasn’t been on top form and his pace isn’t there, so that is why right out of the gate our attention is going to Crystal Ocean. He landed a second at the King George with a brilliant time and while he was below par at Kempton, he should be strong and fresher for this. He won’t have a problem with any kind of softer ground going. Capri does have the staying power at this distance, but Crystal Ocean’s form right now is good enough to take down the favourite.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Betting Odds

Roaring Lion 9/4
Recoletos 5/1
Lord Glitters 6/1
Laurens 11/2
Addeybb 8/1
Beat The Bank 12/1
Happily 12/1
Lightning Spear 12/1
Century Dream 18/1
Romanised 44/1
Aljazzi 33/1
Bar 50/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on October 18th, 2018 at 6:45 pm)

Roaring Lion could have shown up in the Champion Stakes but is likely to go here, if he runs at all. If he is in, then we are all over him getting the success in this race in what is going to be a big field. That would have been the same if he was in the Champion Stakes. Recoletos will prefer the softer ground and was solid at Ascot last year. There is more of a staying question over him than the favourite. Laurens is well work look after beating Alpha Centauri at Leopardstown and then at Newmark over Happily.