Binhareer 28/1 (4pl) – Ascot 2.05
For some very strange reason, the Champions Day Sprint Group 1 always seems to end up with a wacky result, no matter the ground. Last year we had a 200/1 winner on good ground, and in years gone by we've had 40/1, 16/1, 33/1, 28/1, and they have all been in the last ten years. So for that reason, I'll be looking down the list for a bigger-priced horse.
William Haggas has the short-priced favourite in this contest, who is going to be a tough horse to beat based on what he has achieved this season, but he also sends another who is a much bigger price. As stated yesterday, Haggas isn't a trainer who sends horses to big races for the fun of it; he'll only oblige when he believes the horse can run a solid race. Binhareer has it all to prove at this level, with all but one of his runs coming in handicap company, but we've seen horses bridge the gap a lot in recent years.
Binhareer needs a solid pace to aim at, and if he can't get it in a Group 1 sprint, then he's not going to get it anywhere else. This track suits his strong finishing style, and I think he can definitely hit the frame, especially if the main horses don't fire after a long season.
More Thunder 8/1 (4pl) – Ascot 3.20
I'm not fully sold on the three-year-olds being as impressive as they look, and Gstaad was the acid test in France last time out. Whether or not that was his true showing, time will tell, but he was comfortably beaten into third and was a couple of lengths behind Ten Bob Tony.
Ten Bob Tony has to be in the conversation for this, as he is as consistent as they come and already has a huge win at this track earlier in the season. The one I wanted to give a chance to was More Thunder, who seems to have lost his pace this year, which is surprising given that he is running over a furlong further than he was previously campaigned over.
On a going day, More Thunder is a Group 1 level horse, and it all boils down to if he's positioned close enough to the pace and if they go a solid gallop. If the answer to both of those concerns is yes, he has an each-way chance of swooping late.
Tribal Chief 16/1 (5pl) – Ascot 4.35
Despite having a problem with leaving the starting stalls on good terms, Tribal Chief is a very good horse in handicaps like this, and he deserves a chance.
I know for a fact that he'll be tardy from the stalls, and that means he'll be on the back foot instantly, which is not ideal. However, in races like this, they are run at solid gallops, which allowed Tribal Chief to get motoring late to try and pick up the pieces.
We know that he is in good form, as he won at Goodwood last time out. He is carrying a penalty for that win, but Jack Dace is in the saddle and removes 5lbs, so he is only 1lb worse off for that victory.
Vintage Clarets 17/2 (4pl) – Catterick 4.45
From a very low weight of 8st 4lbs, which will be 7st 13lbs, Vintage Clarets has been given every opportunity to bounce back to form.
He was once a smart sprinter, and as expected with age his handicap mark has fallen rapidly with disappointing performances throughout the season. We've seen a glimpse on his ability on three occasions this year at Chester, Goodwood and Epsom. He was second at Epsom in the Dash, and Catterick does share similarities with Epsom. Both courses have a steep downhill track, and since that was his best performance of the year, it seems perfect for him today.
His handicap mark is now 3lbs lower than it was at Epsom (he's out of the handicap today), and it is technically 16lbs better off than when he was 7/2F for this race last year.
GambleAware