October 19 / 15.55 Ascot

15.55

Soft

Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £737230
  • 1m 2f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
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Qipco Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

25/1 (Won)

  • Win: £41.00
  • Place: £7.65

Form: /21-15 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Versatile ground-wise; lightly raced in recent seasons; productive gelding who is a multiple winner, including in sole Group 1 attempt (2023 Prix d'Ispahan); not seen to best effect in steadily run Prix Dollar most recently; this should pan out better but it's the stiffest task of his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 2f 0y

17:30 Leopardstown

Anmaat

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: Owen Burrows

Winner of two of his four Group 1 attempts; overcame trouble in running in the Champion Stakes (soft) last October; has continued momentum at the age of seven; travelling better when heading Los Angeles just inside the final furlong in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, only to lose out close home; a fine second to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

11/2

2nd

1

(8)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Anmaat

9st 2lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

7yo who's won two of his three attempts at Group 1; swooped to overcome trouble in running in the Champion Stakes over C&D (soft) last October and he was travelling much the better when he headed Los Angeles just inside the final 1f in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, officially good) last month, only to lose out in the last ten strides; three of his wins at lower levels were on good to firm; should be primed to throw down a telling late bid.

7/2

1

(6)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 110y

15:05 Curragh

Anmaat

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Lightly raced; winner of eight of his 13 races, including both Group 1 attempts, in the 2023 Prix d'Ispahan and a career-best when overcoming trouble in running to defeat Calandangan in the Champion Stakes; previously not seen to best effect in the Prix Dollar; runs well when fresh but has never faced a task like this on seasonal debut.

11/2

11/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: -21112 C

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
French gelding who goes from strength to strength; has posted excellent performances (on good to firm ground) in Britain the last twice, winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f) in tremendous style then proving the only serious threat to City Of Troy (pair clear) in the International at York where he recorded impressive sectional times dropped back to 1m2f; won on heavy in May; top on ratings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Calandagan

9st 2lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

Superstar gelding who has a record of 222211111 since racing at Group 1 level and is the highest-rated racehorse in the world; couldn't quite get past Jan Brueghel in this race last year but turned the tables in the King George and is on an impressive roll going into another rematch with that rival; prevailed at Meydan (Sheema Classic) last time despite the race not panning out ideally; duly strongly respected, assuming the ground is okay (not certain to run if it's a slog scenario).

10/11

1st

2

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Calandagan

9st 7lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

French gelding who has a record of 222211 since upped to Group 1 level, latest win coming in the King George at Ascot (1m4f, good); went down by only half a length when favourite for this race 12 months ago (soft) on last 1m2f attempt; major contender, especially if getting a strong pace to aim at.

5/2

40/1

  • Place: £2.35

Form: -15467 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Held by some of these rivals judged on recent form on good/good to firm; however, his form on soft/good to soft (unraced on heavy) comprises five wins at up to Group 3 level and a creditable fifth in this contest last year; the return to forecast slower ground is a big plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(6)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Royal Rhyme

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Hindered by major traffic issues when behind two of today's rivals at Royal Ascot last time; losing run is mounting up but he's 1-1 over C&D, namely a win in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard Stakes; interesting back here.

6/1

14th

14

(11)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Royal Rhyme

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Did well initially in his career, including when beating three rivals in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, soft); 0-9 since, albeit twice placed at the highest level; pulled too hard when beaten about 6l into sixth of 12 on return in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) in April; never featured at Chester in a Group 2 on good since; good to firm ground is a worry.

16/1

14/1

Form: 19-141 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; smart and versatile French gelding who has won races from 1m2f to almost 2m; bagged a second win in the Prix Foy at Longchamp (1m4f) most recently, enhancing an excellent strike-rate that is now 15-23; dual Group 1 scorer who is worth his place back at this level but needs to defy the age stats; only one 7yo (Bendigo in 1887) has landed this prize.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(4)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Ascot

Iresine

9st 7lb

J: Mme Marie Velon

T: J-P Gauvin

Acts on heavy; smart and versatile French gelding who has won races from 1m2f to almost 2m; bagged a second win in the Prix Foy at Longchamp (1m4f) most recently, enhancing an excellent strike-rate that is now 15-23; dual Group 1 scorer who is worth his place back at this level but needs to defy the age stats; only one 7yo (Bendigo in 1887) has landed this prize.

14/1

Form: 054213

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Seems versatile ground-wise; has taken her form to a new level of late, with Group 3 win at York (1m1f) flanked by honourable efforts in the Nassau at Goodwood (1m2f; close second) and Sun Chariot at Newmarket (1m; third); gives the impression she'll be suited by this step back up in distance; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

See The Fire

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it's likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.

16/1

1st

5

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Pulverised her seven rivals in this on her second outing of last season, scoring by a whopping 12l on good to firm; couldn't quite reproduce that high-class RPR at Group 1 level in five subsequent outings in 2025 but mostly ran well, including a close second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); didn't have much to spare at the line when 1-3 for a 1m2f Nottingham Listed race on reappearance but cruised through most of that contest and will likely be a lot closer to her best this time; again the one to beat in this.

6/5

1st

5

(6)

26th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 1

16:55 Nottingham

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Smart filly who is a Group 3 and Group 2 winner at York (1m1f/1m2f); has plenty of Group 1 form, including placed efforts at Royal Ascot (against males) and Longchamp (close second) last season; takes on some unexposed and interesting rivals but sets a high standard for them to aim at; respected back down sharply in class.

2/5

15/8

Form: 4-1111 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Impressive Dante winner who is one of the rising stars of the season; proved game in a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown most recently, taking record over 1m2f to 3-3 (all on good going) and overall record to 4-5; showed promise in heavy-ground contest on sole 2yo start; very progressive and promises to rate higher still; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:05 Ascot

Economics

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Absent since performing below expectations in this contest on soft ground last year when he bled from the nose; highly progressive otherwise and justified favouritism in the Irish Champion Stakes (1m2f, good) the time before, completing a four-timer; his belated return to action adds great interest.

11/1

6th

8

(6)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Ascot

Economics

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Impressive Dante winner who is one of the rising stars of the season; proved game in a thrilling Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown most recently, taking record over 1m2f to 3-3 (all on good going) and overall record to 4-5; showed promise in heavy-ground contest on sole 2yo start; very progressive and promises to rate higher still; strongly respected.

15/8

1st

5

(8)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Economics

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

midfield on outer, disputing fourth halfway, pushed along over 2f out, challenging 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on well towards finish

6/4

Form: 2-1223 D

Last run: 59 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Ran well last autumn on sole soft-ground attempt, unraced on heavy; solid 2024 campaign features a success in major 3yo handicap at Newbury and unlucky second (ended up with too much to do) in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, both over 1m2f; close third to Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur (1m4f) most recently; largely progressive and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Kings Gambit

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

Capable of very useful form but he is 0-12 since landing a major handicap at Newbury over two years ago and was unplaced in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last month; supplemented at a cost of £50,000, possibly to act as pacemaker for fellow Wathnan Racing runner Gethin.

66/1

7th

10

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Kings Gambit

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

No win since landing two of his first four starts but has a largely consistent record in Listed/Group company since, including third to Haatem and Galen in this race on good to firm 12 months ago; again ran well when chasing home Damysus in Group 3 at Newmarket (1m1f, good) on reappearance in April; a subsequent Chester run was disappointing but his record suggests he's unlikely to stay down for long.

11/1

9th

4

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Kings Gambit

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

No wins since landing two of his first four starts having been highly tried in the meantime, but he has a consistent record in Group/Listed company shy of the top level (22363522); again ran well when chasing home the smart Damysus on his return in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f, good) last month; shortlisted with the run under his belt.

13/2

6/1

Form: 131143 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Lacks flair but has a good attitude and is very consistent; best form on last four outings, initiated by Irish Derby win on good ground and completed by front-running third in the Arc on very soft; doesn't have much to find with Economics on Irish Champion Stakes bare form (close fourth; most recent 1m2f attempt); holds a solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:27 Curragh

Los Angeles

10st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Irish Derby winner and Arc third; also boasts strong 1m2f form, including a close fourth in Irish Champion; beat White Birch in a C&D Group 2 in May and battled well to deny Anmaat over an extra half-furlong in Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup later that month; never looked happy in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes; will be hard to beat at this level if restored to form.

8/11

5th

5

(5)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Los Angeles

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Irish Derby winner and Arc third at 1m4f; four of his last five races have been at about 1m2f, though, notably when a close fourth in Irish Champion last September and when having to pull out all the stops at the Curragh in his two outings this season, all on good ground (acts on good to firm); latest was the 10.5f Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in which he battled back to deny Anmaat, but it's a protracted struggle rather than a rapier thrust which is likely to see him to best effect and he might just be vulnerable.

9/4

6

(7)

25th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 110y

15:05 Curragh

Los Angeles

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Last year's Derby third and Irish Derby winner; top-class form at 1m2f when close up fourth in Irish Champion Stakes before fine third in the Arc; race possibly came too soon when flopped 13 days later back at 1m2f in Champion Stakes; stout display on return when mastering White Birch in the Mooresbridge, though the runner-up emerged with at least as much credit.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 5-5130 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Ended his 2023 campaign in great form, winning the St Leger then fifth in the Arc; has failed to sustain it this term, notwithstanding a 1m2f Group 3 win; finished behind Iresine in the Prix Foy and well behind stablemate Los Angeles in the latest Arc; opposed on recent results.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:10 Ascot

Continuous

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won the St Leger and fifth in the Arc in 2023 but has failed to repeat the form since and is reduced to pacemaking duties these days; as in the Coronation Cup two starts ago, looks set to cut out the fractions for stablemate Jan Brueghel before eventually being swallowed up.

125/1

8th

3

(7)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

2023 was his heyday, when winning the St Leger and fifth in the Arc; career has taken some disappointing turns since last autumn and he could be set for a front-running role at a big price today, as on his last two starts.

100/1

4

(4)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Ended his 2023 campaign with a success in the St Leger and good effort in the Arc; modest strike-rate since and has become inconsistent too; possibly in here as pacemaker for stablemate Jan Brueghel.

66/1

40/1

Form: 236-95 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
High-class performer on her day, being a triple Group 1 winner (1m-10.5f); however, there has a doubt over current form, having been well below best in three runs since finishing third in last year's Irish Champion Stakes; yet to score on ground slower than good to soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

5

(9)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Ascot

Nashwa

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

High-class performer on her day, being a triple Group 1 winner (1m-10.5f); however, there has a doubt over current form, having been well below best in three runs since finishing third in last year's Irish Champion Stakes; yet to score on ground slower than good to soft.

40/1

5th

2

(3)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Newmarket

Nashwa

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

High-class mare, a triple Group 1 winner from 1m-10.5f; better than ever in 2023 but signed off that campaign with a poor run at Ascot and could finish only ninth of 16 in the Dubai Turf at Meydan on her sole outing so far this year; now returns from six months off with a bit to prove, but like her stablemate Inspiral she'll be a major player if rediscovering her spark.

9/2

6th

8

(3)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Nashwa

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

dwelt start, towards rear, no impression

4/1

66/1

Form: 410131 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Unraced on heavy, acts on any other ground; steadily progressive 3yo who won a couple of useful handicaps in the summer and bagged Listed honours at Ayr (again over 1m2f) most recently; may improve further but his form is well short of the required standard in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Novus

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £165.20
Straight Forecast £93.99
Tricast £1625.67
Trifecta £2335.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Calandagan

NEWMARKET:

Economics

Telegraph:

Economics

D Express:

Economics

RP RATINGS:

Calandagan

TOPSPEED:

Calandagan

POSTDATA:

Calandagan

The Times:

Calandagan

The Guardian:

Calandagan

Daily Mail:

Calandagan

Daily Mirror:

Calandagan

The Sun:

Calandagan

The Star:

Calandagan

Daily Record:

Calandagan