Qipco Champions Day
Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup - 12:45
Wicklow Brave will undoubtedly be popular for the Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore combination. He is brilliant as a dual purpose horse and won the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at Cheltenham this year. He followed that up with wins at Listowel and Galway and was also second in the Ebor at York. His most recent run was a third place in the Irish St Leger over one mile and six furlongs, however I think two miles is perfect for him and he can get the day off to a great start at a nice price.
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes - 13:20
Muharaar is the obvious starting point having recorded a hat trick of Group 1 wins on his last three starts and his first race as a two year old was a five furlong win on soft ground so the conditions shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience even though he has been racing on predominantly firmer ground. He receives a pound in weight from his older rivals and as long as he doesn't encounter an traffic problems I can't see anything being good enough to stop him making it a four timer.
Twilight Son is unbeaten having won all of his five races so far and is proven on the ground so I think he will give the selection most to do, especially with Ryan Moore on board.
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes - 13:55
Covert Love is a worthy favourite after winning the Irish Oaks and just failing in the English version when beaten by Pleascach. He also won two weeks ago at Longchamp over a shorter distance so has all the credentials. A horse I feel is really overpriced however is Arabian Queen. At best price 18/1 a horse that was good enough to beat Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn seems overly generous. He likes any cut in the ground so if there was more rain that would be a bonus, even if there isn't I think he is definitely overpriced and can cause another shock.
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes - 14:30
This is a massively anticipated race with the participation of Aiden O'Brien's Gleneagles the big talking point. He hasn't been seen since the St James Palace Stakes at Ascot in June and will only run if there isn't any more rain. If he does run it should be a fantastic race and appears good enough to give the brilliant horse from France, Solow, a race.
I still think that even if Gleneagles does run Solow will be far too good for him. He definitely acts on the going, a mile appears perfect for him and if he runs his race I am sure he will win. If Gleneagles stays in the race it will keep his price just odds against which I think is fantastic value and the bet of the day.
Today's Selections
12:45 Wicklow Brave - 1/2 point each way @ 11/1 (Betvictor, Coral)
13:20 Muharaar - 1 point @ 5/2 (William Hill)
13:55 Arabian Queen - 1/2 point each way @ 18/1 (Paddy Power, Betvictor, Stanjames)
14:30 Solow - 3 points @ 6/4 (Coral)