Champions Day dark horses: Long-range tips for Ascot

By Matt Brocklebank

Horse Racing

Mon October 14, 2024 · 6M ago

Matt Brocklebank picks out a couple of big-priced runners who could be heading to British Champions Day under the radar.

BURDETT ROAD – 33/1 for QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)

Taking on Kyprios feels something close to banging your head against a brick wall but Aidan O’Brien didn’t sound all that certain he’d even be lining up again at Ascot following the Cadran and it could be worth exploring those currently on offer at much longer odds.

Burdett Road isn’t a guaranteed starter either but trainer James Owen and the Gredley Family – who enjoyed some amazing days with top stayer Big Orange a few years ago – must be at least a little bit tempted to have a crack at the Long Distance Cup.

Burdett Road would have a mountain to climb in pure form terms but testing ground this time of year is a great leveller and there’s no doubt this horse absolutely relished it when winning last month’s Listed race at Newmarket by eight and a half lengths.

That represented a new career-best on the level from the four-year-old son of Muhaarar and although a jumps campaign is bound to be in the offing again after he showed a good attitude as a juvenile hurdler last winter, this option shouldn’t be ignored as I suspect he’d stay every yard of the two-mile trip.

One may point at his well-held Ebor run and beg to differ, but the ground was rapid at York that week and a more demanding surface looks far more likely to bring out the best in Burdett Road.

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QUEEN OF THE PRIDE – 14/1 for QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

John and Thady Gosden have several Champions Day entries at big prices including Arrest in the aforementioned Long Distance Cup and Audience, who could be a bit of a springer in the market if dropped back in trip for the Champions Sprint, but it’s their Fillies & Mares Stakes options that take the eye.

Prix Vermeille third Emily Upjohn is the most obvious one although it could be worth keeping an eye on Danielle and Queen Of The Pride too, with the latter of particular interest.

A daughter of Roaring Lion – who memorably won the QEII on this day half a dozen years ago – she ran no sort of race when relatively well-fancied (100/30) for the Yorkshire Oaks last time but she’s surely better judged on her previously progressive form which culminated in a Group 2 win at Haydock (replay below).

She had subsequent winners Tiffany, Lady Boba, Novus and Sea Theme in arrears there and has every right to be in the conversation for a race of this nature on that evidence. She’s had a couple of months off and looks just the type to come back to form in the autumn, having shown a liking for some dig in the ground last year as well.

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