QATAR Racing British Champions Day (BCD) at Ascot was, for the second year in a row, run on relatively fast ground for the time of year. Last year, the ground was described as good, but a meeting average RaceiQ Time Index of 8.3 suggested that it was at least good to firm, if not a bit quicker.

This year, the going description was once again good, with an average RaceiQ Time Index of 6.8 suggesting it was closer to being good to firm, if not as quick as last season. The index values and par comparisons are outlined below.

RaceiQ Time Index and par comparisons

Race 1: Night in Vegas 7.7 (-1.46s vs par)

Race 2: Mount Atlas 6.9 (-2.42s vs par)

Race 3: Almeraq 7.0 (-0.87s vs par)

Race 4: Minnie Hauk 7.2 (-1.49s vs par)

Race 5: Talk of New York 5.8 (-0.15s vs par)

Race 6: Ombudsman 6.2 (-0.50s vs par)

Race 7: Fifth Column 5.4 (+0.20s vs par)

Meeting average: 6.8

The first four races were run at a stronger tempo than the final three, but all the winners were able to finish their races strongly as per them being able to run faster than the par finishing speed percentage for their class of race on the ground as officially described.

The Champion Stakes was won in spectacular fashion by Ombudsman under an excellent, pace-savvy ride from William Buick. In the same race last year, Ombudsman made a big move on the home turn using his speed to get to Calandagan and then he flattened out with Calandagan able to see the race out stronger than him.

The roles were reversed this time, with Ombudsman racing closer to the pace, thereby making Calandagan work hard to get to him from the back of the field, with William Buick waiting for him before setting his mount alight.

This race was not run at a strong gallop, despite the presence of a pacemaker in Devils Advocate, and the race-winning move by William Buick was his decision to sit close to the pace in third spot. The pace did not increase until the final three furlongs and, consequently, Ombudsman was able to record an FSP of 106.07%, which is 2.6% above par.

He has a sharp turn of foot and utilised it here, with a closing three furlongs that were all faster than par at 11.73s, 11.58s and 11.95s.

Timing a challenge

Calandagan also finished fast and he was able to record the fastest furlong and highest mph in the race of 11.34s (40.18mph) in the penultimate furlong, but just like Ombudsman last year, he did his running to get into contention and then flattened out in the final furlong, recording a split that was 0.44s slower than the winner.

Ombudsman was originally set to head to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where the likely fast ground and tight turning track at Keeneland would have played to his main strength, which is his sharp turn of foot. He was no bigger than 5/4 at the top of the market for that valuable prize, but was ruled out on Wednesday in favour of a possible Japan Cup swansong.

Constitution River was the disappointment of the race. He pulled hard under restraint and was not helped by the steady early gallop, with his tendency to hang left meaning that Ryan Moore could not get any cover.

Given his early exertions, the fact that he could finish the race faster than par is testament to his raw ability. He recorded an above-par FSP of 104.33% without ever looking to be a danger to the principles.

Connections will mull over a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but if he is to race again, his chances of success depend more upon his mind than his physical ability.

TALK Of New York has at times been his own worst enemy. Too keen and enthusiastic at times for his own good, but he came of age on Saturday and will be the horse to beat in the mile division next season.

Talk of New York won in a time of 1m 39.83s, which rates as a par time for the grade at this track on good ground. It was 1.01s faster than the Balmoral Handicap over the same trip. This winning time was achieved in what was an evenly-run race, courtesy of Hawk Mountain and Needle Match.

The first three all got some cover, the winner and second racing in midfield, with Rayif in rear. Having settled well, Talk of New York quickened to the front with an 11.32s (fast vs par) split through the sixth furlong, which may have got him to the front a little earlier than William Buick wanted, but thereafter he stayed on strongly through the final quarter mile, recording an even final two-furlong time of 24.65s (FSP: 101.25%), which was bettered only by Rayif, who flashed home from last place, but could never get to the winner.

Rayif was the fastest horse in the race through each of the final two furlongs, with sectionals of 11.90s (fast) and 12.57s (par). Given how he was ridden, he could have done with a stronger gallop. Lightly raced, having just had six races in his career, he would have been an exciting prospect to explore 10 furlongs with next year, but he has since been announced as due to join the stallion ranks at Haras de Bonneval in 2027.

Backed favourite

Gstaad was the well-backed favourite, but he proved to be a disappointment with no palpable excuses to be found in how the race was run. It could be argued that he was too close to the early pace, but that pace was not furious, and he couldn’t get past the pacemaker Needle Match.

His finishing effort was a weak one; he recorded an FSP of 97.10%, when par is 100.78%, and he never seemed to find a good rhythm. There were no excuses on account of the ground or the track or trip and this just must go down as a dull effort.

ON a day when Billy Loughnane was crowned champion jockey, I wanted to credit Christophe Soumillon with the ride of the meeting in the Fillies and Mares Stakes on the fourth-placed Sugar Island.

This filly had been tasked with setting the pace in the Yorkshire Oaks, but was ignored by the rest of the field as she raced clear for much of the race. This time, Soumillon took her to the front and got the fractions spot on, rating her evenly through par sectionals for the first half mile and then, with Minnie Hauk sat travelling comfortably in second place, he slowed the pace down for the next three furlongs, allowing his mount and Minnie Hauk to save energy for a strong finish from an advantageous position at the head of the field.

After this lull in the tempo, he gradually increased the pace through the next half mile, towing Minnie Hauk to the final quarter mile where she quickened with an 11.68s penultimate furlong - using the energy she had saved by tracking a perfectly rated pacemaker.

This was a tactical triumph and, on a day when praise was rightly heaped on Billy Loughnane, we should remember that Soumillon is a master of his craft.