Ascot Champions Day Tips 2026: 5/4 Fancy Tops Best Bets On British Racing’s Richest Day

British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse is the official finale of the British Flat racing season and William Hill News have previewed each race on the card.

Held annually in mid-October, it is Britain’s richest single day of horse racing, with competitors racing for millions of pounds in prize money.

Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington, who incidentally tipped shock 200/1 winner Powerful Glory on this day last year, takes a look through the entire card.

12.55 – 6f British Champions Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes

ARAPAHO GOLD is a high-quality juvenile who won his first four races on the bounce, including an impressive victory in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.

Some pundits said he looked a little tired at Newbury, but I am of the view that Michael Dods can squeeze one more win out of this classy individual before his well-deserved winter break. He was my ante-post tip in last month’s column and I’m sticking with him.

1.30 – 2m British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1)

George Scott’s CABALLO DE MAR enters the race at the top of his game after defeating the elite stayer Scandinavia by a neck to retain his Group 1 Prix du Cadran crown at ParisLongchamp.

The five-year-old should hold the overall class advantage over his rivals on Saturday.

2.05 – 6f British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)

The William Haggas-trained ALMERAQ (NAP) won the Jubilee Stakes over this exact course and distance at Royal Ascot before demolishing his rivals in the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

With conditions to suit, he’s the worthy 5/4 favourite in our horse racing betting.

2.40 – 1m4f British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) 

If KALPANA has fully recovered from her tough exertions in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, she remains the one that the others will have to strive for to beat.

If she can stun French star Calandagan by 1½ lengths back in July, then she can do the same to this lot too. I mentioned her for this race as an ante-post selection back in August and she should be bang there once again.

3.20 – 1m Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)

Supplemented for this race at a cost of £70,000, TALK OF NEW YORK (NB) was immediately installed as the ante-post favourite in our sports betting market.

After putting in a dominant 4½-length victory in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket, he’s probably going to have a good go and repaying his late entry fee.

4.00 – 1m2f Champion Stakes (Group 1)

Second to Daryz twice in his last two runs, You would like to think BAY CITY ROLLER can get his due rewards on the big stage at Ascot.

Dropping back to 1¼ miles for the first time this autumn, Oisin Murphy is confident that the shorter trip is not an issue and he is a major player.

4.35 – 1m Balmoral Handicap 

It’s a wide open affair but FIFTH COLUMN offers massive each-way appeal at double-digit odds for a top stable.

Equipped with a first-time visor, this Godolphin-owned four-year-old will appreciate this shorter distance and he is favourably treated in the weights.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*