13:55 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 13:59 | Winning time: 1m 16.74s

(7)

Brando⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| D

80/1

Smart sprinter, runner-up in Chipchase at Newcastle (6f) in June. However, not scaled same heights since and this regular in the race will do well to match last year's fourth-place finish,

Form: 526693

(2)

Cape Byron³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 113| CD

22/1

Flopped in this race on final start last year but has a very good overall track record, winning 3 times last season, including a couple of high-end handicaps. This a tough contest to reappear in.

Form: 110310-

(3)

Chiefofchiefs^v³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Fellowes| OR: 99| CD

125/1

Won the Silver Wokingham at Royal Ascot and shaped as if still in good form in a handicap at Doncaster last time, unable to sustain his effort after travelling well. This is a very big ask.

Form: 301746

(16)

Dream Of Dreams⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 120| D

3/1

Impressive winner of the Hungerford Stakes in August and confirmed he is better than ever when following up in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Flopped in this a year ago but a different proposition now.

Form: 080-211

(9)

Glen Shiel⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 116| D

16/1

Better than ever this year, winning 4 times, notably the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh in August. Excellent second to Dream of Dreams on first try in a Group 1 at Haydock last month.

Form: 012112

(1)

Happy Power⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 115| D

17/2

Thriving at present, completing a hat-trick and better than ever in the process in the 7f Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Friday. Rare try over 6f but he's not dismissed lightly in current mood.

Form: 324111

(13)

Oxted⁹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: R A Teal| OR: 120| DWS

9/1

Landed the Portland on his final start last term and has taken his form to new level this year, supplementing his Abernant Stakes win in the July Cup. Entitled to serious respect. Has had a wind op.

Form: 6421-11

(8)

Speak In Colours^t⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF| CD

40/1

Smart performer who won the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in June and the Ballycorus Stakes at Fairyhouse in July. Well backed when disappointing in a listed race latest and this is a big ask.

Form: 251146

(6)

The Tin Man⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 110| CD

25/1

Has contested this race each year since 2015, notably winning it in 2016. On a long losing run, but would have given the winner more to think about with a clear run at York on Saturday.

Form: 20-7262

(10)

Art Power⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 115| C| D

7/1

Made it 4 in a row in impressive style in 6f Group 3 in Ireland before a below-par showing in the Nunthorpe. Looked more comfortable over 6f in the Sprint Cup but no excuses back in fourth.

Form: 1-11164

(4)

Lope Y Fernandez⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

16/1

Very smart colt who has finished placed in the Irish 2000 Guineas (1m), Prix Jean Prat (7f) and Prix Maurice de Gheest (6½f). Failed to travel with usual zest in the Sprint Cup last time, though.

Form: 6-30237

(17)

Starman⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 113| D

9/1

Unbeaten in 3 starts, looking a bona-fide Group 1 performer when winning a listed event at York from Dakota Gold last time. Has come a long way in a short space of time and limit hasn't been reached.

Form: 111

(11)

One Master¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P C Boudot| T: W J Haggas| OR: 114| C| D

11/2

Smart and consistent mare who was beaten a length in this race last year. Arrives in top form, winning the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood in July and landing the Prix de la Foret for a record third time.

Form: 641221

(15)

Sonaiyla^t,v³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 110| D

12/1

Developed into a smart performer since joining this yard, winning her first 2 starts this year and nothing wrong with a brace of placed efforts since, including in Group 1 latest (5f).

Form: 01-1123

(12)

Jouska⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: H Candy| OR: 102| D

80/1

Useful filly who proved better than ever to win a listed event at Newmarket on Saturday, but will need to progress significantly again to mix it at this level.

Form: 53-7281

(5)

Onassis⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Fellowes| OR: 99| C

33/1

Made a winning return in the 1m Sandringham at Royal Ascot and has since won listed races at Chantilly and Goodwood (a week ago), Likeable filly but this is asking a lot.

Form: 141741

Non-Runners

(14)

Dubai Station⁷⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dream Of Dreams (3/1), One Master (11/2), Art Power (7/1), Happy Power (17/2), Oxted (9/1), Starman (9/1), Sonaiyla (12/1), Glen Shiel (16/1), Lope Y Fernandez (16/1), Cape Byron (22/1), The Tin Man (25/1), Onassis (33/1), Speak In Colours (40/1), Dubai Station (66/1), Brando (80/1), Jouska (80/1), Chiefofchiefs (125/1)

OXTED has yet to encounter ground as soft as this, but his July Cup win is just about the best form on offer, and at the forecast prices, he has to be the call. Dream of Dreams arrives in top form and these conditions will hold no fears so he's a massive threat, while Starman is the unknown quantity in the race as the ceiling of his ability has yet to be exposed given he's unbeaten.