October 18 / 14.45 Ascot

14.45

Good

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £301271.87
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.35

Form: -32227 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Rounded off her excellent 2024 campaign with a stylish victory in this race (soft); no win this term but that includes an excellent second in the King George over C&D (good) in July and she was not discredited when seventh in the Arc at Longchamp in first-time headgear 13 days ago; the one to beat if returning to her King George best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Kalpana

9st 6lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Had excellent campaigns in 2024 and 2025, both of which ended with Group 1 success in good style against her own sex on Champions Day at Ascot; she also started last season with a big run in an Irish Group 1 and was an excellent second in the King George at Ascot in July; wore cheekpieces last two starts; concedes 4lb to male rivals today but probably still the one to beat.

10/11

1st

3

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Kalpana

9st 7lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Rounded off her excellent 2024 campaign with a stylish victory in this race (soft); no win this term but that includes an excellent second in the King George over C&D (good) in July and she was not discredited when seventh in the Arc at Longchamp in first-time headgear 13 days ago; the one to beat if returning to her King George best.

11/4

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 71-112 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who played second fiddle to top filly Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks at York last time when it was thought that good to firm ground was not ideal; record of 4-4 on good or softer features two Group wins at Haydock (1m4f) this season and the Arc de Triomphe was her long-term target, but she missed that race when scoping dirty; reportedly back on song and she's a leading contender if getting her ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 1

15:10 Carlisle

Estrange

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Very talented 5yo whose two wins last year included this race (1m4f, good; at Haydock) on reappearance; ran a cracker when second in Group 1 at Ascot (1m4f, good) on final start; that makes her the clear form pick back in this grade and she's the one to beat if ready to roll after 224 days off.

10/11

2nd

2

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Estrange

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Lightly raced 4yo who played second fiddle to top filly Minnie Hauk in the Yorkshire Oaks at York last time when it was thought that good to firm ground was not ideal; record of 4-4 on good or softer features two Group wins at Haydock (1m4f) this season and the Arc de Triomphe was her long-term target, but she missed that race when scoping dirty; reportedly back on song and she's a leading contender if getting her ground.

4/1

2nd

1

(1)

21st Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:35 York

Estrange

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

4yo who's won four of her five starts and looked a tremendously exciting prospect in most of them; however, the one defeat was her only run on good to firm (last September; not due only to trouble in running) and her Group 2 win on good ground at Haydock last time came by just a neck at 2-7 (tactical race); the ground question is the big concern.

4/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 1-1119 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won six of her first eight starts, on final occasion when she made her first Group 1 attempt a winning one at Deauville (1m2f, good) in August; there's stamina in her pedigree and she went back up to 1m4f for the Arc at Longchamp 13 days ago but faded into ninth, having seemed a bit too revved up in the early stages; she did, however, win easily in a Listed race last June on her only other attempt at this trip; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(5)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Quisisana

9st 7lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

Won six of her first eight starts, on final occasion when she made her first Group 1 attempt a winning one at Deauville (1m2f, good) in August; there's stamina in her pedigree and she went back up to 1m4f for the Arc at Longchamp 13 days ago but faded into ninth, having seemed a bit too revved up in the early stages; she did, however, win easily in a Listed race last June on her only other attempt at this trip; not dismissed.

13/2

Form: 624537 C BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
4-12 overall and best form when placed in Group 1s at Chantilly (10.5f, good to soft) this June and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft) in September; well beaten trying to come from the back over 1m6f at Longchamp two weeks ago, when more testing ground may also have been a negative; that's best forgiven and she has an each-way chance if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Bedtime Story

9st 1lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

4-12 overall and best form when placed in Group 1s at Chantilly (10.5f, good to soft) this June and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft) in September; well beaten trying to come from the back over 1m6f at Longchamp two weeks ago, when more testing ground may also have been a negative; that's best forgiven and she has an each-way chance if bouncing back.

10/1

4th

3

(3)

31st Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Bedtime Story

9st 0lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 wins (including on fast ground) during last season's 2yo campaign and she tapped back into that promise, and more, with a close second in the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly (10.5f, good to soft) last month; further improvement is needed today and Ryan Moore rides stablemate Whirl, but she can give another good account and is not ruled out.

5/1

5th

1

(1)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

15:00 Curragh

Bedtime Story

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and faced challenge over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, dropped to rear and tenderly handled final 110yds

4/7

OUR TIP

Form: 922-24 BF

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Best effort last season was over 1m4f on heavy ground in October and she's shown similar form in Group 2s over about 1m6f in her only two starts this term, keeping Waardah up to her work at Goodwood on first occasion; a fair bit extra will be needed from her if she's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:15 York

Danielle

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Likeable 5yo who signed off for last year with a demolition job on 17 rivals in Listed event at Doncaster (1m2f, heavy) in November; possibly ideally suited by the mud but drying ground should not inconvenience her unduly and she has made the frame in two Group 2 races over 1m6f; the one to beat if giving her running after a winter break.

8/11

5th

1

(8)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Danielle

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Best effort last season was over 1m4f on heavy ground in October and she's shown similar form in Group 2s over about 1m6f in her only two starts this term, keeping Waardah up to her work at Goodwood on first occasion; a fair bit extra will be needed from her if she's to win this.

14/1

4th

2

(9)

11th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Danielle

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Closely related to 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami; best last term when second in 1m4f Newbury Group 3 (heavy) in October; unraced this season until her battling second in Group 2 at Goodwood six weeks ago on the step up to 1m6f; that's one of the best pieces of form in this line-up and she could build on it; a leading player from top stable which runs four.

5/2

Form: 514424 BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won Group 3 at Navan (1m2f, soft) in April and kept to Group 1s since; second in Irish Oaks at the Curragh (1m4f, good) on penultimate start and narrowly beaten fourth in Group 1 at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft; alongside One Look) 11 weeks later; reliable sort with each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

13:45 Haydock

Wemightakedlongway

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Last season's best performances came in Group 1s when runner-up in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh (1m4f, good) and very close fourth in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft); flopped on last month's reappearance at Cork, which is disconcerting, but she's a leading player if leaving that performance behind in first-time cheekpieces.

7/2

7th

8

(2)

4th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 4f 25y

17:12 Cork

Wemightakedlongway

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Won a Navan 1m2f Listed race on soft last year; loads of good runs in defeat after in Group 1s up to 1m4f including in Oaks/Irish Oaks and a French Group 1; is ground-versatile and rated 110 so is the one to beat if ready enough on return.

6/4

16/1

Form: 19115 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
4yo who did not race until this May but has won three of her five starts, latterly a Group 2 in clearcut fashion at Deauville (1m4f, good to soft) in August; 1m6f for Longchamp Group 1 two weeks ago did not work out, never near to challenging, and she needs to resume improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(9)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Latakia

9st 7lb

J: William Buick

T: F-H Graffard

4yo who did not race until this May but has won three of her five starts, latterly a Group 2 in clearcut fashion at Deauville (1m4f, good to soft) in August; 1m6f for Longchamp Group 1 two weeks ago did not work out, never near to challenging, and she needs to resume improvement.

16/1

Form: 15-411

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood (soft) in June in grand fashion; handed an extra 4f when next seen in 1m6f Group 2 at Goodwood (officially good to soft, probably good) 11 weeks ago and she travelled best to lead 2f out before running on gamely to keep runner-up Danielle at bay; lightly raced 3yo who, if the ground is okay, can find further improvement to have a big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 1

15:10 Carlisle

Waardah

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Stablemate of Azaniya; seemed to relish the step up to 1m6f when winning the Group 2 Lillie Langtry at Goodwood (good to soft) last summer; didn't give her running in Group 1 at Ascot on final 3yo start, finishing well behind Estrange; may still have untapped potential but this trip looks a bare minimum.

9/2

8th

9

(4)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Waardah

9st 1lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Won 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood (soft) in June in grand fashion; handed an extra 4f when next seen in 1m6f Group 2 at Goodwood (officially good to soft, probably good) 11 weeks ago and she travelled best to lead 2f out before running on gamely to keep runner-up Danielle at bay; lightly raced 3yo who, if the ground is okay, can find further improvement to have a big shout.

6/1

1st

9

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Waardah

8st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Owen Burrows

Won on soft ground both on debut and on latest start; the latter was a steadily run, ten-runner Listed race over 1m2f here eight weeks ago in which she asserted in grand fashion in the final 1f; suitability of this extra 4f is a bit of a guess and the company is much more demanding but she's had only four races and made quite an impression last time.

13/2

Form: 3213-9 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Dam Magical won this in 2018 and the Champion Stakes in 2019; this daughter's novice win here (soft) as 2yo preceded her 6l third in Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October; longer trips beckoned but she was not seen this season until five weeks ago when always behind in 1m2f Group 2 at the Curragh (6-1 from 10-1); needs huge overall improvement (about 9l behind One Look) but she should at least have come on since that reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(10)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Ballet Slippers

8st 11lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

One of three for yard; 1m Ascot novice winner (soft) last year; 6l third in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket (1m, gd-sft) on final run of 2024; well below that level in two runs this year; failed to beat a rival home in the Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot (1m4f, good) on latest; return to softer ground needs to revive.

9/2

10th

12

(10)

2nd Nov 2025

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

15:40 Curragh

Ballet Slippers

8st 11lb

J: Jack Cleary

T: A P O’Brien

One of three for yard; 1m Ascot novice winner (soft) last year; 6l third in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket (1m, gd-sft) on final run of 2024; well below that level in two runs this year; failed to beat a rival home in the Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot (1m4f, good) on latest; return to softer ground needs to revive.

9/2

10th

7

(3)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

Ballet Slippers

9st 1lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Dam Magical won this in 2018 and the Champion Stakes in 2019; this daughter's novice win here (soft) as 2yo preceded her 6l third in Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October; longer trips beckoned but she was not seen this season until five weeks ago when always behind in 1m2f Group 2 at the Curragh (6-1 from 10-1); needs huge overall improvement (about 9l behind One Look) but she should at least have come on since that reappearance.

25/1

10/1

Form: 126123

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won two Group 3s (1m and 1m2f) this term and went close with first-time cheekpieces in Group 1 at Longchamp (1m2f) 13 days ago; strong finish in the latter gives hope for this new trip, even if pedigree is less encouraging.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(10)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 0y

15:20 Curragh

One Look

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: P Twomey

C&D Group 3 winner last year, but seems most effective at 1m2f, judged on her placed efforts in the Blandford Stakes and the Prix de l'Opéra; stablemate of City Of Memphis who has the advantage of race fitness.

9/2

5

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:45 Ascot

One Look

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: P Twomey

Won two Group 3s (1m and 1m2f) this term and went close with first-time cheekpieces in Group 1 at Longchamp (1m2f) 13 days ago; strong finish in the latter gives hope for this new trip, even if pedigree is less encouraging.

10/1

4

(9)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

17:00 Curragh

One Look

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: P Twomey

Listed winner last season; added the Group 3 Park Express here (1m, good) on return; followed that with a fine second behind Porta Fortuna in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes, also here (1m, good); came up short at Royal Ascot; established her stamina with C&D Group 3 win in July and has since been acquired by Wathnan Racing; should be thereabouts.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.30
Straight Forecast £9.42
Tricast £37.59
Trifecta £37.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Waardah

RP RATINGS:

Kalpana

D Express:

Latakia

Daily Record:

Estrange

The Times:

Bedtime Story

NEWMARKET:

Danielle

LAMBOURN:

Waardah

Telegraph:

Waardah

The Guardian:

Waardah

Daily Mail:

Waardah

Daily Mirror:

Waardah

The Star:

Waardah

TOPSPEED:

Kalpana

POSTDATA:

Kalpana

The Sun:

Kalpana