The Group action comes thick and fast on Champions Day at Ascot four Group 1 contests, the Group 2 Long Distance Cup, which sees Kyprios back in action, and a competitive renewal of the Balmoral to complete the card.
Champions Day at Ascot 2024: Bumper Preview
We’ve previewed the action and put together our three best bets for Saturday’s card including a last-time-out winner bidding for another success at the top level in the Champion Sprint.
Champions Day at Ascot 2024: Montassib (1.55)
The Champion Sprint looks like a cracking renewal with last year’s winner and runner-up, Art Power and Kinross, set to do battle again. However, they are both drawn higher than ideal and often go to the far side at this meeting, so those drawn low on Ascot’s six-furlong track could be the ones to focus on. The one that appeals most is the Betfair Sprint Cup winner, Montassib, who gained a breakthrough Group 1 success last time out.
There is a decent chance that this race could set up nicely for him again with Art Power, Swingalong and Audience likely to ensure a strong gallop. The selection is best with a strong pace to aim at, as seen when he made up lots of ground at Haydock. There is a chance that there could be even more to come on the softer ground he is likely to encounter on Saturday. There is a suspicion that a stiff six furlongs on soft are his optimum conditions and with an ideal draw in stall six, expect Montassib to be doing much of his best work late on from off a strong pace.
Champions Day at Ascot 2024: Content (2.35)
This looks a bit more open than the betting suggests with current clear favourite, Kalpana, yet to prove herself on testing ground. All of her previous form was on ground no worse than good. It is noteworthy that Content is the pick of the Ballydoyle trio for Ryan Moore and this daughter of Galileo should relish a step back up in trip having failed to show her best in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp earlier this month.
Prior to her last outing, she was highly progressive, getting her head in front in the Yorkshire Oaks at York’s Ebor meeting, and Content can continue to progress back at her preferred trip.
Champions Day at Ascot 2024: Tamfana (3.15)
Charyn looks another vulnerable favourite having been turned over on soft ground last time out and it might be worth taking a chance on one at a bigger price. One that fits the bill is Tamfana, who goes to Ascot following a career-best success in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.
She is highly effective with ease in the ground and the form of her Newmarket success is arguably the best on offer in this contest. Given that she is probably going to get a decent pace to aim at with Poker Face and Henry Longfellow likely to give her a tow into the contest, it is possible to argue that Tamfana should be vying for favouritism.
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