Horse Racing Tips

Qipco British Champions 2023: Tips and Predictions

6 months ago

| BY News Team

British Champions Day, the official end of the British Flat racing season, is next Saturday (21st October 2023) and never fails to excite, bringing together the very best horses of the season and crowning the final champions.

This guide will take you through the main races of the day and their most likely contenders.

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Predictions for Qipco British Champions

Top Contenders for the Qipco British Champions Title

Currently top of the overall British Champions series leaderboard is the 128-rated Mostahdaf, the winner of the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York this season.

Sitting behind Mostahdaf on the leaderboard is Hukum in second place, Westover in third, Paddington in fourth and Triple Time in fifth.

Dark Horses to Watch Out For

Nashwa, who is currently seventh on the leaderboard, has had a terrific season, having won the G1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, been second to Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International, ahead of the favourite Paddington, and produced the fastest split of them all when running third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. She could well creep up the rankings after British Champions Day.

Qipco Champion Stakes – 21st October 2023

The Champion Stakes is the feature race of Champions Day, and can send the winner into real stardom as all runners have proved themselves worthy of greatness all season long. The winner of this race really can be said to be the best of the best. The race being held in October, though, can lead to much softer ground than in the summer months, throwing up some surprise results.

Three-year-old King Of Steel will have had a good break by the time of this race, and is versatile ground-wise having run well on soft ground in the past. If back to his very best, he could be the winner here.

Bay Bridge must also enter considerations having run to his credit on a variety of ground this year, and having unexpectedly won this race last year. He likes the track at Ascot, and his trainer – Sir Michael Stoute – has trained the winner of this race three times previously.

Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous must also be taken seriously, going on any ground and winning this year’s G1 St Leger, then going on to run a creditable fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

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Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – 21st October 2023

Despite winning only one of her six runs this season, Nashwa has put up some remarkable performances in defeat, holding her own against colts brilliantly. This will be her first run at Ascot, but the track ought to suit her and she can cope with some rain. She has already beaten the likes of Paddington, and should come here fresh enough to make her presence duly felt.

Paddington’s season has been unbelievable, with six consecutive wins against both his own age group and older horses. He had, perhaps, had one race too many when finishing an unexpected third in the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor meeting, but has now had two months off and should be able to bounce back to his best.

Tahiyra – already a winner at Ascot – has been consistent this season and no matter what the conditions, has never being seen outside the first two home. Having now won the G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown against older horses, she should have a real chance here, but takes on colts for the first time.

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Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes – 21st October 2023

Harry and Roger Charlton’s Time Lock could be in with a chance here, having won the G3 Dubai Stakes at Newmarket by over four lengths. She will have to prove herself in this G1 company, but showed real ability in that race, and Ascot is a comparable track to Newmarket so ought to suit her.

Aidan O’Brien’s Jackie Oh, last seen running a very close second to Blue Rose Cen in the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp, should be high up in considerations, provided that she gets her preferred soft ground. She steps up in trip here, but that could be what she needs in order to get her head in front.

Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking should also be considered, having finished a brilliant second to Savethelastdance in the G1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July. Going best on softer ground, which she is likely to get here, she could be a real player.

Bet on Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes 2023/2024 at William Hill

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes – 21st Oct 2023

Shaquille, who has had a fantastic season, rising 26 pounds in the handicap from four consecutive wins, goes on any ground and, despite disappointing on his last run at Haydock, that performance was too bad to be true so can be ruled out. He has had plenty of time off now and should be ready to strike here at a track he has done so well on in the past.

Mill Stream could be in contention having loved the softer ground in France, where he won both the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud and G3 Prix de Meautry over this distance. Rarely seen outside the placings, this son of Gleneagles could be competitive.

Sandrine was most impressive when last seen winning the G2 Park Stakes at Doncaster and is a course and distance winner having won the G3 Albany Stakes at Ascot in 2021. Softer ground has seen some of her best performances, and she has held her own against colts on numerous occasions in the past, so must be respected.

Bet on Qipco British Champions Sprint Stake 2023/2024 at William Hill

Ready to Bet on Qipco British Champions Racing?

Follow These Steps:

Step 1: Accessing the Latest Ascot Tips

Tips for British Champions Day can be found here and in our Ambassador blogs closer to Champions Day.

Step 2: Analysing the Tips for Each Day

It’s important to make your own judgement when reading tips, which can be a useful guide. Always refer back to the form when reading tips, so to better understand the tip itself and also to weigh up any other options.