Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Ascot Champions Day Preview

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews all six races on British Champions Day.

Saturday, Ascot

AL NAYYIR might just be able to give last year’s duelling pair Kyprios and Trawlerman a fright in the opening Long Distance Cup on British Champions’ Day (1.20). He has been something of a revelation since joining Tom Clover, but – looking at his pedigree – soft ground and a trip might be what he’s always been crying out for. Kyprios is an amazing horse – a stayer of a generation – but I’m unsure that this inner track and short straight combined with testing ground will enable an optimal performance.

BEAUVATIER is an each-way play in the Sprint (1.55). He wasn’t far behind the best of his generation at two, and has run with credit this season, particularly in the Maurice de Gheest and then behind the super-impressive Ramatuelle in the Foret. He looks to have hit his stride at the right time, remains relatively unexposed, and will find this big field and stiff track can draw out his superior staying power at this trip.

WINGSPAN is taken to spring a surprise in the Fillies and Mares (2.35). Although stablemates Content and Grateful are shorter at the time of writing, the selection really has very little to find with any of the principals and is open to way more improvement given her sharply progressive profile. In addition, she looks to be crying out for this step up in trip, which could easily squeeze out another pound or two, and I can see Sean Levey giving her the sort of ride that her dam Hydrangea received when winning this seven years ago.

TAMFANA can get the better of Charyn in a humdinger of a QE2 (3.15). Six pounds is a hefty chunk to receive from the favourite, and I love that her form at a mile bears the very closest scrutiny: that’s to say three cosy wins and a ridiculously unlucky fourth in a Guineas that has worked out really quite well. She comes here in the form of her life, and her trainer can always be trusted to manage the career of a good horse in some style.

CALANDAGAN gets the very slimmest vote over Economics in the big one (3.55). I think Economics might win everything next year, but Calandagan’s explosive burst here at the Royal meeting, and again at York, suggests that this track (particularly the inner track) might suit him better, especially as he is likely to save every inch from his inside stall. On what we know, ground shouldn’t be too much of an issue for either of the principals.

TOIMY SON looks a perfectly feasible each way option in the Balmoral (4.35). I couldn’t find too many of these that looked obviously ahead of the handicapper, and this horse has been very consistent, copes well in the conditions, and will probably benefit from a nudge back down in distance.