Graham Cunningham looks ahead to the World Pool card at Ascot for Champions Day on Saturday.
Rising to a stellar World Pool Saturday
A stellar Saturday that starts with the world’s richest turf race Down Under will finish with some of the best horses on the planet doing battle on a special card at Ascot.
Hong Kong expects as Ka Ying Rising takes on Australia’s best sprinters in The Everest, while Ombudsman, Delacroix and Calandagan are in prime form ahead of a thunderous Qipco Champion Stakes.
Kalpana, Lazzat and Field Of Gold bring world-class Ascot form to their G1 targets and, with fair weather and fiercely competitive markets, this looks a perfect way to bring the curtain down on Europe’s World Pool programme for 2025.
Will the HK hero get Saturday off to an explosive start?
Well, as Alan Brazil might say, there are two versions as KA YING RISING takes his show on the road for The Everest at 6.15.
The first involves the world’s top-rated sprinter handling the occasion smoothly, in which case he will win; and the second involves him getting agitated in a new environment, in which case my Aussie moles feel Jimmysstar, Joliestar and Briasa might scupper a plan that’s been months in the making.
Ombudsman to settle all Champion disputes?
Selections: 6-2-8-5
It’s a case of any price bar three in a world-class Qipco Champion Stakes (4.05) and, with ratings of 128, 125 and 126, it’s impossible to get away from Ombudsman, Calandagan and Delacroix.
And I prefer them in that order.
OMBUDSMAN has played a huge role in three top 2000m contests, dominating at Royal Ascot and York and running his race inefficiently when nailed by Delacroix at Sandown in between. It feels like he needs one more major to make folks realise just how good he can be and this looks a perfect stage for him to shine again.
Last year's runner-up Calandagan is having another fine season and looks bound to go close again but I’m less convinced about Delacroix, mainly because the memory of Ombudsman running clean away from him in the Juddmonte International remains vivid.
In short, I would be very surprised to see a boil-over. That said, autumn improvers can be dangerous and Andrew Balding’s pair Fox Legacy and Almeric both have something to recommend them as place options for those prepared to take a swing at long odds.
Will there be a sting in the Field Of Gold tale?
Selections: 11-6-5-8
Genuine ‘wow’ moments have been rare during this Flat season but this colt produced one when making fellow Guineas winners Henri Matisse and Ruling Court look second rate in the St James’s Palace Stakes and this year’s QEII turns on whether he’s fit to fire again.
It isn’t a given – as FIELD OF GOLD looked laboured when coming home lame in a farcical Sussex Stakes – and seven other G1 winners lie in wait as he returns from an enforced layoff.
Highly progressive City of York winner Never So Brave looks among the pick of them and Facteur Cheval – second to Big Rock and Charyn in the last two renewals – can outrun his big price again after a summer break.
But the Gosden grey earned a rating of 126 for his Royal romp – and if he’s close to that level then every one of this high-class field will find it very hard to match him.
Is there a champ in the Champions Sprint?
Selections: 8-17-14-5
Asfoora’s two G1 wins put her in pole position for this year’s European sprint crown, but LAZZAT could stake a very persuasive claim if he takes care of a field containing six other G1 winners.
The French raider hasn’t matched his QEII Jubilee form in two runs since, but he looked kyboshed by a strong stand rail bias when punted down to evens for the Haydock Sprint Cup last month. His Royal Ascot win, which saw him master the high-class Japanese raider Satono Reve as the pair drew clear of Flora Of Bermuda, is the best form on offer and the return to Ascot looks ideal.
Haydock 1-2 Big Mojo and Kind Of Blue are clear Quinella hopes but the one who appeals most at double figure odds is the reliable FLORA. Andrew Balding’s filly ran a belter despite being hampered when third at Haydock and the fact that Oisin Murphy is aboard for the first time since she finished an excellent third behind KOB on this day last year shouldn’t be underestimated.
Can Kalpana double up in the Fillies & Mares?
Selections: 3-2-9-10
Five previous winners have finished unplaced when bidding to follow up in this, but KALPANA has trained on well from three to four and her best 2025 efforts – notably when splitting Calandagan and Rebel’s Romance in the King George – give her a huge chance.
True, Andrew Balding’s filly must prove she’s none the worse for a frustrating Arc run which saw her trapped wide with little cover from gate 10 in a race that was dominated by those drawn low.
Finishing seventh at Longchamp was respectable in the circumstances and this proven G1 filly is well worth another chance, with unexposed Estrange, progressive Waardah and reliable Wemightakedlongway suggested for those who fancy a dart at the Quinella.
Appleby, Aidan or William in the new two-year-old race?
Selections: 2-12-8-1
Charlie Appleby has only saddled one Champs Day winner but Words Of Truth is rated 112 for his G2 Newbury win and that gives him a great chance in the first World Pool race of the day at 1.30.
But the World Pool market looks set to take full account of that and the Haggas improver DIVISION – who made it 3-4 with a decisive Listed win at York last week – might be progressing fast enough to give him a shake.
Aidan O’Brien is a surprising 1-34 over the last five Champions Days. The fiery Mission Central is quirky but very speedy while Sir Albert and the rugged Ardisia – with ratings of 101 and 100 – are both battle hardened with the scope to outrun the market.
And how will the Balmoral pan out?
Selections: 13-12-15-6
Taking three or four against the field in the traditional Champs Day brain-burner looks as good a plan as any and this quartet all appeal for different reasons.
Crown Of Oaks steps down in trip after seeming to find the race coming too quickly in Ireland, but his previous runaway Ascot win has worked out very strongly and the return to Ascot looks a plus.
Shout is 2-2 for Murphy and firmly on the up after running away with a warm course and distance handicap under the champion last month, while Cerulean Bay is fresh from two strong-travelling Goodwood wins and still on a handy mark despite his penalty.
And then we come to the mercurial OLIVER SHOW.
George Boughey’s gelding is a notably tricky ride but he went very close in the first big mile handicap of the season when touched off in the Lincoln and can fly under the World Pool radar at long odds for the last if he puts it all together under Billy Loughnane.
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