British Champions Day Ascot, Saturday

QIPCO Champion Stakes

(Group 1)

THE QIPCO Champion Stakes saw Calandagan (Francis-Henri Graffard/Mickael Barzalona) atone for last year’s defeat with a brilliant two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Ombudsman (John and Thady Gosden/William Buick) in a race that lived up to its star billing.

The early pace was strong, set by Mount Kilimanjaro and Devil’s Advocate, who opened up a five-length lead down the back straight, while the principals were held up right at the back, happy to bide their time.

As the field turned for home, Barzalona made a sweeping move wide on the well-backed Calandagan, who was returned at 15/8, while Ombudsman came wider still with his challenge.

The latter looked dangerous a furlong and a half out, but Calandagan showed no sign of weakening dropped back to 10 furlongs, and galloped out strongly for a deserved victory, with Almaqam running a huge race in third, four lengths behind the imperious winner, and just in front of Delacroix.

Fantastic horse

Francis-Henri Graffard, who also trains Arc winner Daryz, said: “Calandagan is a fantastic horse. The way he was working coming into this race was just incredible. He loves this track, and we know him very well.

“When he took his stride in the straight, it was just so beautiful to watch. Ombudsman was trying to challenge him, but Calandagan is a very good horse.

“I kept him fresh. We haven’t been very greedy with him by trying to run him too much, and the horse gives back to us now. He is a real star. We love horse racing and today was a beautiful horse race to watch.

“I had to put him in a gallop with Daryz before Arc weekend because I needed him to be fitter for today. He was looking at Daryz like this: ‘come with me, I’ll show you how it works’. It was unbelievable, but looking back now, it was a gallop with an Arc winner and a Champion Stakes winner.

“I was very stressed before the race, because I was expecting more tactics and it was difficult to read the racing from the beginning of the afternoon, so I was very stressed about that, but it worked out well and it’s easier when you have a champion.”

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)

THE straight mile saw another huge upset as Cicero’s Gift (Charlie Hills/Jason Watson) stormed home at 100/1. The early fractions were honest, thanks to the free-going Marvelman, who led for over five furlongs, while Cicero’s Gift was held up at the rear.

As Marvelman weakened from the two-furlong pole, those who chased the pace also began to flag and the race changed complexion quickly, with Cicero’s Gift unleashing a strong finish closest to the far rail to beat The Lion In Winter (Aidan O’Brien/Christophe Soumillon) and Alakazi (Johnny Murtagh/Ben Coen) by a length and a quarter and a neck, ahead of Docklands and the disappointing favourite Field Of Gold, who looked dangerous but shaped as if feeling his absence since finishing lame in the Sussex Stakes.

The draw seemed to play its part here, with the first and second drawn in stall one and two, and the front three in the market all unplaced from double-digit draws.

Cicero’s Gift was winning his sixth race in 15 starts for owners Rosehill Racing, but he’s made limited impact in pattern company before, and his win in the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown was his career highlight before this surprise success.

Wildest dreams

Charlie Hills, who lost his father, Barry in June, said: “He’s always shown us ability at home, but to do this on Champions Day is beyond our wildest dreams. Jason gave him a superb ride, and the horse has really come of age.

“He is getting better - he was very unsound at one point and had to have a whole year off, but [vet] Ian Wright did a fantastic job with him, and it’s taken a lot of patience. He is very talented, but he hasn’t been the soundest.

“It has been a tough year, but hopefully this will help us spring forward to next year. It is a great meeting, this; every race is top drawer, and just to be part of it makes me very proud.”

The win was also poignant for Jason Watson, who has struggled to fully establish himself after a bright apprenticeship. He spoke of that journey and what winning here meant to him, saying: “I am very lucky to be riding this horse today and a massive thank you to connections and to Charlie, who has been a big supporter of mine this season.

“I didn’t grow up in this industry,” he continued. “It was really difficult for me when I was younger to have the success that I did and then lose it pretty quick.

“I have been trying to build on it the last few years to get back to the position I know that I’m capable of, and I hope today I’ve proved to some people that I’m as good as I used to be.”

British Champions Long Distance Cup

(Group 1)

THE newly-upgraded Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup opened the Champions Day card, and it was Trawlerman (John and Thady Gosden/William Buick) who stamped his authority on the staying division once again, as he beat stablemate Sweet William (Rab Havlin) by a length and a half, with the pair a dozen lengths clear of the front-running Al Qareem (Karl Burke/Clifford Lee).

Breaking smartly, the seven-year-old settled just behind the early leader Al Qareem, with Sweet William tracking the pace, while the three-year-old Stay True raced keenly in mid-division.

Swinging for home, Buick angled Trawlerman out for a clear run and the Gold Cup hero responded instantly, surging to the front two furlongs out. Sweet William gave chase, but could never quite get on terms, and Trawlerman galloped powerfully to the line to crown a fine season.

John Gosden said: “He’s a true professional and loves this track. We kept him fresh for today and he’s rewarded us again. William gave him a beautiful ride, and he just keeps finding more. He’s a remarkable stayer, and we’re lucky to have him.”

British Champions Sprint (Group 1)

THE Group 1 Sprint produced one of the most astonishing results in British racing history as Powerful Glory (Richard Fahey/Jamie Spencer) landed a 200/1 shock as his power-packed finish won the day by a neck from Royal Ascot winner Lazzat (Jerome Reynier/James Doyle), who had helped force a frenetic gallop with Quinault (Stuart Williams/Sean Levey), who held on for third, one and a half lengths behind the winner.

It’s easy to characterise this as a fluke brought about by a pace collapse, but while many of the chasing pack fell away, the fact that the two who led from the outset hung on to be placed argues against that simplistic view, while the mercurial Spencer was at his brilliant best on Powerful Glory.

The winner was last of five in a conditions race at Beverley on his final prep, but had won the Mill Reef Stakes last autumn and is very lightly raced, so while this result was hard to predict, it would be dangerous to assume it was not deserved.

Boilover

It wasn’t the first Group 1 boilover of the season, of course, with Qirat taking the Sussex Stakes at 150/1, and it wouldn’t be the last shock of the day.

“I can’t quite believe it,” said a stunned Richard Fahey. “We always thought he had ability, but to win a Group 1 like this, on this stage, is just incredible. Jamie gave him a peach of a ride, and the horse has done us proud.

“The plan was to get him ready for the Commonwealth Cup, but we had our prep, and he completely emptied, so we did some investigations, and he had a tiny wind issue.

“This race closed ages ago, so even after that first disappointing run, I had made the entry.

“I always love to get a run into them after a wind operation, to get a bit of confidence into them (but) the only one I could find was a five-furlong race at Beverley.

“We have seen the real Powerful Glory today - and he has only had four starts. To finish with a Group 1 is fantastic, especially for Sheikh Rashid, who has been a huge supporter for me. It is always great to reward owners that are faithful to you.”

British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

AFTER a season of near-misses, Kalpana (Andrew Balding/Colin Keane) returned to her best to defend her crown in the Group 1 Fillies and Mares. Wingspan and Bedtime Story set a steady early tempo, with Kalpana always perfectly poised in third.

As the field turned for home, Keane made his move, sending Kalpana to the front two furlongs out and she quickly put daylight between herself and her rivals, powering clear to win by two lengths from Bedtime Story (Aidan O’Brien/), with Wingspan holding on for third in a race where it paid to be handy.

Balding said: “Kalpana has had a frustrating season, but looked right back to her best there. Things haven’t quite gone how we wanted them to this year, but that was a pretty good performance.

Thrive

“It was always a bit of a risk running her back quickly, but maybe we have underdone her all year? You never know, she seems to thrive on it. We had the full support of Barry Mahon and the Juddmonte team, which makes a big difference. When they’re right behind you, which they invariably are, it makes life a lot easier.

“I thought that Colin got her in the perfect position and, watching it, I didn’t have many anxious moments. It was a strong performance.

“We thought if she was anywhere near her best, she had an outstanding chance. Champions Day is a really good way to end our season, and it has become an important focal point for every trainer. To get a winner is special.”

QIPCO Champion Stakes (Group 1)

THE QIPCO Champion Stakes saw Calandagan (Francis-Henri Graffard/Mickael Barzalona) atone for last year’s defeat with a brilliant two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Ombudsman (John & Thady Gosden/William Buick) in a race that lived up to its star billing. The early pace was strong, set by Mount Kilimanjaro and Devil’s Advocate, who opened up a five-length lead down the back straight while the principals were held up right at the back, happy to bide their time.

As the field turned for home, Barzalona made a sweeping move wide on the well-backed Calandagan, who was returned at 15/8, while Ombudsman came wider still with his challenge.

The latter looked dangerous a furlong and a half out, but Calandagan showed no sign of weakening dropped back to 10 furlongs, and galloped out strongly for a deserved victory, with Almaqam running a huge race in third, four length behind the imperious winner, and just in front of Delacroix.

Fantastic horse

Francis-Henri Graffard who also trains Arc winner Daryz, said: “Calandagan is a fantastic horse. The way he was working coming into this race was just incredible. He loves this track, and we know him very well.

“When he took his stride in the straight, it was just so beautiful to watch. Ombudsman was trying to challenge him, but Calandagan is a very good horse.

“I kept him fresh. We haven’t been very greedy with him by trying to run him too much, and the horse gives back to us now. He is a real star. We love horse racing and today was a beautiful horse race to watch.

“I had to put him in a gallop with Daryz before Arc weekend because I needed him to be fitter for today. He was looking at Daryz like this: ‘come with me, I’ll show you how it works’. It was unbelievable, but looking back now, it was a gallop with an Arc winner and a Champion Stakes winner.

“I was very stressed before the race, because I was expecting more tactics and it was difficult to read the racing from the beginning of the afternoon, so I was very stressed about that, but it worked out well and it’s easier when you have a champion.”

Mission accomplished for Central

MISSION Central (Aidan O’Brien/Christophe Soumillon) bounced back to form to win the inaugural running of the QIPCO British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes.

The son of No Nay Never had won the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on his penultimate start and had excuses dropped back to five furlongs for the Flying Childers at Doncaster.

Returned to a stiff six furlongs here, the 5/1 chance travelled well and was sent clear with well over a furlong to run to beat Ardisia (Hugo Palmer/) by half a length with 11/10 favourite Words Of Truth (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) back in third.

Haggas out on a high

It had been a disappointing day for William Haggas, with stable star Economics bleeding in the Champion Stakes having been off a year since being similarly afflicted in the corresponding race 12 months ago.

He did end up with something to cheer, however, as the progressive Crown Of Oaks (Tom Marquand) justified the decision to drop him from 10 furlongs by making almost all the running in the concluding Balmoral Handicap (sponsored by QIPCO).

The winner was sent off odds-on for a valuable mile and a quarter handicap at the Curragh last month, and could only finish third, but he was back on an upward curve here, helped by the fact that not a single one of his rivals wanted to race on the far side of the track, despite evidence that the fastest ground was there.

It was bizarre to see the jockeys all tack across to track the leader after a furlong or so and, in taking the most direct route, Marquand did his chance of winning no harm.

It was somewhat ironic to note that Ebt’s Guard and Holloway Boy, who dead-heated for second, were drawn one and two respectively, while the winner came from the widest stall of all in the 20-runner contest.

Around The Tracks

Kempton/Sedgefield

THE feature event at Kempton on the Sunday, the Listed CopyBet Hurdle, saw Rubaud (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) confirm his status as a high-class hurdler by landing this race for the third consecutive year.

Sent off the 10/11 favourite, Rubaud travelled strongly throughout the two-mile contest on good ground, tracking the pace before asserting his authority in the straight.

He saw off the persistent challenge of Burdett Road (James Owen/Sam Twiston-Davies) to win by a length in a four-runner affair.

Rubaud’s victory was all the more impressive given he was carrying a 6lb penalty for his Grade 2 win last season and was making his first start since wind surgery.

The seven-year-old’s turn of foot proved decisive, and he thrives given a speed test on a right-handed track, with Wincanton’s Elite Hurdle his next obvious target.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: “He’s a real credit to the team and loves it round here. We kept him fresh for this, and Harry gave him a perfect ride. He’s so consistent and just keeps delivering. To win this race three years running is a great achievement.”

Bluey jumps for fun

Bluey (Emma Lavelle/Ben Jones) justified favouritism with a bold front-running display in the novices’ handicap chase on Kempton’s card, making all and keeping on well despite a mistake two out.

She is very much built in the chasing mould, and her best efforts have all come at right-handed tracks. She should do well against her own sex over fences, but can also pay her way in handicaps should Lavelle choose that route.

When he’s bad, he’s very frustrating, but when he’s good, he’s an exciting watch, and Bad (Ben Pauling/Ben Jones) was at his most compliant in the Best Odds Guaranteed At CopyBet Handicap Chase, travelling strongly and asserting before the last to score by three and a half lengths from Gabriel’s Getaway.

Bad was often a weak finisher over hurdles, but is a slick jumper of fences with a high cruising speed, so should win again when conditions aren’t too testing.

Martin winner

Zanndabad has been a regular on British tracks since joining Summerhill handler Tony Martin as a three-year-old and gained a belated first win for the yard when landing the NE3 Limited Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on Sunday under Sean Bowen.

Sent off at 4/6, he won very easily by 13 lengths and, although frustrating, has the ability to take a hand in something like the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham’s November meeting.