Royal Ascot Rivalries Renew on Champions Day

The competition is so deep throughout QIPCO British Champions Day Oct. 21 at Ascot that even the lone group 2 race on an otherwise top-level card features a highly anticipated rivalry.

That would be the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2), the day's opener and a replay of one of the most thrilling races of this year's Royal Ascot meeting.

The baker's dozen set to tackle two miles features Big Orange and Order Of St George, who dueled through the final 100 yards of the Gold Cup (G1) on June 22 at Royal Ascot, with Big Orange holding on by a desperate nose after 2 1/2 miles.

The Gold Cup was contested over firm going during an intense hot spell in England. With rainy, windy weather forecast for British Champions day, the course conditions could be a factor in the rematch as Big Orange has not acted as well on off-going as his main rival.

The Queen sends out her star stayer, Dartmouth, for the Long Distance Cup and Her Majesty's racing manager, John Warren, sounded a hopeful note about the 5-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE), who was a fading fourth at the Royal meeting.

"He's run some very good races at Ascot and obviously loves the track," Warren said. "He acts on any going and we are not concerned about any conditions that he could encounter."

The race could offer a piece of history. Aidan O'Brien saddles Order Of St George and, depending on events earlier in the day in Australia, the 5-year-old son of Galileo (IRE)will give the Irish conditioner the chance to either equal or surpass the late Bobby Frankel's record of 25 top-level wins in a calendar year.

"We've been delighted with him all year and he looks to have a very good chance," O'Brien said.

 And that's just the first race on the card.

The long rivalry between Ireland and Dubai surfaces again in the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (G1). Harry Angel, a 3-year-old Dark Angel colt trained by Clive Cox, carries the Godolphin blue as the favorite in the six-furlong dash, offered at even money by most British bookmakers. Caravaggio, a Scat Daddy 3-year-old representing the Coolmore partners and trained by O'Brien, is high on the list among the other 12.

Harry Angel was second to Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot. He has won the Darley July Cup (G1) and the 32red Sprint Cup (G1) since then. Caravaggio was a well-beaten fourth in the July Cup and then was sixth in the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville Aug. 6 before rebounding to win the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (G2) at the Curragh Sept. 12 against easier rivals.

 "We've got no concerns from a going point of view, which is great," Cox said of Harry Angel's chances. "I know a lot of people say a good horse will go on any ground, but finding that one is pretty difficult in my mind. We are very lucky."

The QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) shapes up as a scramble with Bateel, Journey, Coronet and Hydrangea all rated in antepost wagering with a shot at landing the win.

Bateel and Journey, both 5-year-old Dubawi mares, most recently were seen finishing first and second in that order in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) at Chantilly Sept. 10. Bateel will defend a three-race win streak while Journey, who won this last season, still seeks her first win of the year.

Coronet, a 3-year-old Dubawi filly, was second in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) but faded when asked to go longer in the William Hill St Leger Stakes (G1) in her last start. Hydrangea, a 3-year-old daughter of Galileo, finished behind stablemate Winter in four straight races this season before finally beating that rival by a head in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown Sept. 9.

"This was a very obvious race for Bateel after winning the Vermeille," said trainer Francis Graffard. "I'm very glad that we weren't tempted by the Arc as this has given her a nice bit of time to recover. She's in just as good a form as before that race, and now I don't feel any pressure." 

Coolmore and Godolphin also feature prominently in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO with multiple group 1 winner Ribchester and dual Guineas winner Churchill the early favorites for the one-mile tilt. A good deal of attention, however, has gone to the progressive Beat The Bank, a Paco Boy gelding who has moved right up the class ladder in three straight wins for trainer Andrew Balding.

O'Brien backs up Churchill with Lancaster Bomber and Sir John Lavery. Godolphin's team includes Thunder Snow, who will wrap up an eventful year long to be remembered by his backers for his aborted run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).

Over from France for the Queen Elizabeth is Al Wukair, a Dream Ahead colt who has had an excellent season for trainer Andre Fabre and Al Shaqab Racing. The 3-year-old posted a win in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois (G1) over soft going in his last start at Deauville.

"This is likely to be his last race before retiring," Al Shaqab racing manager Rupert Pritchard Gordon said of Al Wukair, "And a Marois-QEII double would be a fantastic way to go out. We know Ribchester's going to be a tough nut to crack and we respect him enormously and Beat The Bank looks like a real improver, but our horse has a little bit of brilliance as well."

The day's final race is the Balmoral Handicap Sponsored by QIPCO, one mile with 20 hopefuls charging down the Ascot straight.