UK Horse Racing Tips

British Champions Day is looming at Ascot and while there are many stars likely to be on show, few have shone as brightly as Freddy Head’s brilliant miler, Solow, this season. Solow has moved himself to the undoubted position of being Europe’s leading hardened miler. He has racked up a hugely impressive run of victories that now stands at eight following his summer exploits in Britain.

There is nothing to suggest he won’t extend his flawless 2015 campaign to a perfect five from five by taking home the winner’s prize in excess of £623,000 on Saturday afternoon. Given his achievements this season, Solow ranks as the best proposition on the betfair markets as we look ahead to Champions Day.

The gelding has looked unstoppable this year and with a major doubt hanging over his chief market rival for Ascot, the quotes hovering around 2.00 at the time of writing could start to look more than generous. A clash between Solow and 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles would make for a mouth-watering proposition but it is looking less and less likely the Ballydoyle inmate will stand his ground.

Having won the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, Gleneagles followed up in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. It was an impressive sequence, and at his best he would present a real threat, but Gleneagles has been forced to look on from the sidelines since June. Soft ground has scuppered his participation in the Sussex Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois, Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes. On each occasion there has been a will he, won’t he countdown to race day before, ultimately, Gleneagles was plucked from the line-up.

Solow has not raced on ground worse than good this season but his trainer is on record stating he feels some give underfoot may even bring about more improvement. That is a sobering thought for any of his rivals, even Gleneagles.
The winning margins in the Queen Anne at Ascot and the Sussex at Glorious Goodwood were quite slender – one length and half-a-length respectively – but there looks to be plenty more in reserve should Maxime Guyon need it. Even if Aidan O’Brien causes a shock and allows Gleneagles to line up, the Galileo colt could have his work cut out to lower the colours of this brilliant French horse.

Of the others, the Clive Cox-trained Kodi Bear has been well supported ante-post for the QEII after his win in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in late August. He justified strong market vibes to land that Group 2 contest and while he has a chance with Solow on collateral form through the runner-up Gabrial, the proven top level performer is readily preferred at this stage. On Champions Day at Ascot, Solow could continue to prove so good – no matter who turns up to oppose him.

The Griffiths and Armour Handicap (2.35) at Haydock on Friday is one of the most competitive races of the day and, with recent winning form in short supply, a ‘surprise’ winner is a distinct possibility.

Anonymous John is on a losing run of 16 but, consequently, races off the same mark as when successful in a better race on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton last December and wouldn’t be without a chance on his best form. Indeed, David Evans’ 3-year-old wasn’t beaten far over 7 furlongs at Ascot two weeks ago and struck a purple patch at around this time last year, so he’s a must for our shortlist.

The other one who takes our eye is Big Time, now in the charge of “Sprint King” David Nicholls after completely losing for his way for John Joseph Murphy. The Kheleyf gelding was only beaten half a length in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh as a juvenile, but finished nearer last than first on all five starts for the yard as a 3-year-old and 4-year-old. He fared a little better on his first start for his new trainer, finishing sixth of ten, beaten 6¾ lengths, in a 0-90 contest over 7 furlongs at Haydock six weeks ago and can be expected to improve a little.

Selections: Haydock 2.35 Anonymous John, Big Time

The Veolia Handicap (2.20) at Ascot on Friday is run over the same straight 7 furlongs as the Totescoop6 Challenge Cup on Saturday and should provide some clues with regard to draw bias at the Berkshire track. Of course, an 18-runner handicap also provides us with a rare opportunity for a weekday ‘tilt’, so we’ve highlighted a couple that we think could belie generous starting prices by running well.

Cincuenta Pasos has never won over a mile, or on Polytrack, so his latest effort, when only twelfth of 16, beaten 8¾ lengths, behind Georgian Bay at Kempton last month, is best forgotten and his earlier form bears close inspection. The form of his previous win, over 7 furlongs on the July Course at Newmarket, has worked out well enough to suggest that a 6lb rise in the weights may not be beyond him. Talented apprentice Edward Greatrex, who won on him at Newmarket, replaces John Egan and must have a decent chance of improving his 5-14 (36%) strike rate for trainer Joseph Tuite this season.

Ogbourne Downs has yet to win over 7 furlongs, but is only 1lb higher in the weights than when edging out Starlit Cantata in a 0-90 contest, over a mile, at Bath in June, so merits consideration from a handicapping perspective alone. He ran well over course and distance, when sixth of 15, beaten 3½ lengths, behind Peril in a ladies’ race in July and, with rising star Tom Marquand taking off 3lb, another good run looks on the cards.

Selections: Ascot 2.20 Cincuenta Pasos, Ogbourne Downs

Wesley A. Ward’s 2-year-old Acapulco attempts to become the first juvenile to win the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (3.40) at York on Wednesday since Kingsgate Native in 2007 and, having justified favouritism in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, seems sure to be popular once again. However, the twice-raced daughter of Scat Daddy faces a field of race-hardened older sprinters and may be worth opposing at a very short price.

Sole Power isn’t getting any younger, but remains a force to be reckoned with at the highest level over the minimum trip and, having already won this race twice from four attempts, looks decent value at around the 8/1 in the very early price lists. Edward Lynam’s 8-year-old has yet to win on going softer than good, but finished a close third in this race on good to soft going two seasons ago, so should run his race unless the heavens open.

The Kyllachy gelding has 1½ lengths to find with Goldream and 1 length to find with Muthmir on their running in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, but his record on the Knavesmire speaks for itself and he may be able to reverse the form. Regular partner Richard Hughes has retired, but Frankie Dettori is a more than able deputy.

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Selection: York 3.40 Sole Power (8/1 generally available) to win