14:40 Ascot

Saturday 20 October 2018

All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:30

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 33.28s

(8)

Coronet⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: O Peslier| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 113| CD

6/1

Third in this last year. Won a York Group 2 on return and narrowly denied in a French Group 1 next time behind the subsequent Arc fourth. Smart effort behind Sea Of Class back at York last time but probably would have preferred quicker ground here.

Form: 53-1232

(2)

God Given³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: L M Cumani| OR: 108| BF| D

20/1

Career best effort when winning a Group 2 at Doncaster last time. It's fair to say that didn't look like a strong race for the grade and probably a little vulnerable to speedier types dropped back in trip here.

Form: 412431

(7)

Hydrangea^p⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| CD

11/1

Mightily impressive when winning this by 2L last year. Hasn't been in that sort of form at all this time around but had to wait until the autumn last year to find any form and a return to some ease in the ground may help. Shouldn't be ruled out.

Form: 121-287

(5)

Kitesurf³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: M Barzalona| T: A Fabre| OR: 114| D

8/1

Arrives bidding for a Group race hat-trick, her most recent success a Group 1 win at Longchamp. Conditions won't be an issue but this is a tougher race and she might need to improve a little to beat some of these.

Form: 5-15411

(11)

Broadway^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

25/1

Gained a second career win when landing a Group 3 at Gowran Park last time out. Needs to improve plenty here though and while the step up in trip is a potential source for improvement, she's well down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 377351

(1)

Bye Bye Baby³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

40/1

Group 3 winner at the start of the campaign before finishing a well beaten third in the Oaks next time. Has found life tough in Group 1 class since though and this is no easier than any of her recent assignments.

Form: 134475

(9)

Flattering^b1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

50/1

Group 3 winner at Cork earlier in the campaign but she's been well beaten since being stepped up in class since and others make more appeal. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: 516884

(10)

Lah Ti Dar³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| BF| D

1/1

Couldn't have been more impressive when bolting up by 10L in a Listed race at York and only found one too good in the St Leger last time. Still looked raw that day and drop back in trip will hold no fears. Hard to beat if she handles conditions.

Form: 1112

(6)

Magical¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111

5/1

Returned to form with a second career Group 2 win at the Curragh and not disgraced in a Leopardstown Group 1 next time. Shaped okay in the Arc and it's interesting that she's the pick of stable jockey Ryan Moore.

Form: 44-4140

(3)

Pilaster³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 109| BF| D

16/1

Impressive when winning the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood and seemingly failed to quicken off a slow pace when beaten at short odds at Doncaster last time. This should be run at a true pace and not ruled out if she handles conditions here.

Form: 7-1113

(4)

Sizzling³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

66/1

Followed up a Listed win with a Group 3 success at Cork but failed in a hat-trick bid last time when finishing behind the likes of Pilaster and God Given. This even tougher and down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 032117

Forecasts

Lah Ti Dar (1/1), Magical (5/1), Coronet (6/1), Kitesurf (8/1), Hydrangea (11/1), Pilaster (16/1), God Given (20/1), Broadway (25/1), Bye Bye Baby (40/1), Flattering (50/1), Sizzling (66/1)

It's hard to oppose LAH TI DAR back against her own sex after her fine run when runner-up in the St Leger. Last year's winner Hydrangea shouldn't be ruled out despite a below par season with the yard in better form since she last ran. Pilaster and Kitesurf are both dangers if they handle these conditions.