Dave Smith takes a look at Saturday's ITV7 action, which comprises the six races on Champions Day at Ascot as well as one from Catterick.
13:25 Ascot - Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) (Class 1)
There are a couple of question marks hovering over odds-on shot Stradivarius and that leads me to look at FLAG OF HONOUR as a worthwhile alternative to the favourite. His front-running style may be very helpful here and Stradivarius isn't at his best on soft ground so they're two good enough reasons to take him on with the Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Galileo.
14:00 Ascot - Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
A lot of these have clashed this season and a number are closely matched on the ratings and form. HARRY ANGEL ruined his chance last time out at Haydock but he will act on the ground and was the champion sprinter in 2017. If he can settle he may just have been underestimated in the market.
14:40 Ascot - Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
The drop back in trip should be decisive for LAH TI DAR here and the impressive winner of the Henry Cecil Stakes should take all the beating if she handles the anticipated soft ground. Kitesurf is looking for a maiden UK Group success and comes here off the back of four wins over in France but she would have to improve to take this.
15:15 Ascot - Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str) (Class 1)
Roaring Lion has undoubtedly been one of the horses of the season and it is commendable that the horse takes its chance on soft ground and dropped in trip. To that end a strong argument could be made for William Haggas' ADDEYBB who looks to have been campaigned for softer ground races after not seeming to fire on quicker conditions.
15:30 Catterick - William Hill Catterick Dash Handicap (Class 2)
Tim Easterby, Mick Appleby and Robert Cowell are chucking a few darts at this Class 2 handicap and it could pay to side with a horse trained by the latter of that trio. EVERGATE has been running at this sort of level for the better part of the season and he will act on soft ground.
15:50 Ascot - Qipco Champion Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
CRACKSMAN has had a somewhat mixed season and was dropped out of the King George surrounding concerns on the quicker ground. He gets his ideal conditions here and is surely the one to beat with Crystal Ocean having question marks over the drop in trip after an excellent season.
16:30 Ascot - Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str) (Class 2)
Although HATHAL is nearer the top of the weights he has been running in some good quality races, most notably when runner up in a Listed contest on soft ground the last time out at Sandown. His record on soft ground is two from two and Jamie Spencer is a master at big handicap races at Ascot.
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