Dave Massey shares his five best bets for British Champions Day 2026 at Ascot, including a big-priced outsider in the Fillies & Mares Stakes and last year’s Balmoral Handicap winner bidding to defend his crown.
12:55 Ascot – British Racing Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy
Is there an outsider in here that could improve and hit the frame? Well, Oakford‘s going the right way at the right time, and the way he took a big field apart at Newbury last time, tanking his way through the race, marked him out as decent.
That was a funny race; the field split early, and Oakford might have been on the best part of the track, but it was still an improvement, and it came on quick ground.
Perhaps he is the one to take another step forward and land the each-way money.
| Dave’s tip | Oakford (each-way) |
13:30 Ascot – British Champions Long Distance Cup (2m)
One whose limits we do not know, particularly stepping up in trip, is Daiquiri Bay, who keeps improving with each start this season, won the Ebor last time out, and has plenty of appeal.
Proven on quick ground and here at Ascot, he gamely took the Copper Horse at the Royal meeting, and he steps out of handicap company; whilst this is a huge step up, it is not the toughest Group 1 you will ever come across.
He’s had a little break too, so he comes here fresher than a few, and I can see him running well.
Trainer Alan King knows what it takes to win this, having farmed this race a few years back with Trueshan.
| Dave’s tip | Daiquiri Bay |
Promotional offer
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply.
14:05 Ascot – British Champions Sprint Stakes (6f)
The one I want onside is Coppull, who got stuck in the Haydock mud behind Almeraq last time, but I’ll put that behind me and focus on his earlier form, particularly at Ascot.
Third to Gstaad in the Coventry as a juvenile; won the Commonwealth Cup trial here in May; and although he was only eighth in the Commonwealth itself, he was first home of the stands-side group, and the run is better than it first looks.
He also won the Hungerford at Newbury in August, showing a bit more stamina than we thought he might have, and his overall record is very solid.
| Dave’s tip | Coppull |
14:40 Ascot – British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes (1m4f)
The only one of the rags that makes any appeal is Symbol Of Majesty, mainly on the grounds this trip could eke a bit more (and she’ll need a lot more on form) out.
Second here in the Britannia (form working out well) when doing all her best work late, it was a similar story when upped to 10f at Deauville next time, needing every yard of that trip to get on top late and looking like further would suit (as befits her pedigree, the dam a sister to Leger winner Capri).
She couldn’t land a blow in the G2 Blandford at The Curragh last time, merely staying on again at one pace and again looking like she needs 12f.
Well, she finally gets that today, plus some headgear to help her travel into it a bit better. Worth a poke at long odds.
| Dave’s tip | Symbol Of Majesty |
16:35 Ascot – Balmoral Handicap (1m)
23 runners, and I cannot for the life of me find anything that has made the pace and run well this season. So many here that like to sit midfield or are held up. There will be some hard luck stories here.
Hang on a minute, I have found one. Better still, he made it all the way to win this last year. That’s Crown of Oaks, and there are very good reasons to think he can win it again.
His first two starts this year were pretty poor, in truth, pulling too hard and basically not seeing it out over 10f, but dropped back to a mile at Sandown last time, he, along with Nahraan, went from the front and ran a much better race, picked off by the improving Cerro Blanco late on.
That looks like strong form; the winner was likely Group class, and sixth home Pacific Mission was placed at Group 3 level on his next start.
It makes his 104 mark look very workable, and if he’s allowed his own way in front, he could be hard to get past.
| Dave’s tip | Crown of Oaks |
Dave Massey’s Champions Day 2026 best bets
| Time | Race | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 12:55 | Two-Year-Old Trophy | Oakford |
| 13:30 | Long Distance Cup | Daiquiri Bay |
| 14:05 | Sprint Stakes | Coppull |
| 14:40 | Fillies & Mares Stakes | Symbol Of Majesty |
| 16:35 | Balmoral Handicap | Crown of Oaks |
View the latest horse racing odds at kwiff
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any betting decisions you make are entirely at your own risk, and kwiff accepts no liability for any resulting losses or damages. Please gamble responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose.
18+ | GambleAware
