Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Champions Day at Ascot Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 1.20 – British Champions Long Distance Cup
Kyprios (8/11 fav) has just been the most phenomenal horse and probably one of the best stayers we have ever seen.
He is going to take the beating again; he is super tough.
I know Trawlerman (7/2) is coming into this race a tougher horse and gave Kyprios a race at Royal Ascot previously, but I just see it difficult for him to beat the red-hot favourite, who will outstay him and has just that little bit more class.
I would struggle to go against Kyprios but I do think he and Trawlerman will be the two for the forecast once again.
Megan’s Tip: Kyprios WIN; Kyprios / Trawlerman Forecast
Ascot 1.55 – British Champions Sprint Stakes
There is slow ground and we have Kinross (9/2 fav) coming back to this race again.
There have been questions as he’s gotten older. Is he quite at his best? He ran well over in France last time but I don’t know if that was quite a good enough performance to return in this sprint company despite getting his ground.
Montassib (5/1) was obviously a winner on soft ground earlier in the season. He won the Sprint Cup and managed to beat Kind Of Blue, who has been a real improving sprinter for James Fanshawe this season.
For me, we want to be looking at horses that are proven to like a bit of cut in the ground. I am going to go with Montassib because he is proven on that slower surface.
Each way, I will throw in Swingalong (11/1), who doesn’t mind the slower ground either. Indeed, she’s pretty ground versatile.
She was behind Montassib at Haydock but she probably wasn’t at her best that day. She goes well at Ascot, wasn’t beaten far in this race last year and she could go OK again.
Megan’s Tip: Montassib WIN; Swingalong EW
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Ascot 2.35 – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Juddmonte have had an amazing season, haven’t they?
Their runner Kalpana (9/4) is the favourite here although she is unraced on ground as slow as this.
I do like her and she’s the one to beat. I fancied her at Kempton last time when she won.
But I do really like Tiffany (7/1). She has won on slow ground and is massively progressive. I love that the team is having a real go here.
Sir Mark Prescott does exceptionally well with fillies – they seem to always keep improving and he’s brilliant with this type of horse.
I think there could be another massive run in Tiffany once again. She doesn’t know how to get beat this season. She’s been phenomenal and so consistent.
She’s my pick.
Megan’s Tip: Tiffany WIN
Ascot 3.15 – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
I love the fact that Tamfana (7/2) is taking on the boys here. It’s also great that Prague (11/1) is here for Dylan Cunha and gets a massive opportunity.
But I love Charyn (11/8 fav). He gets his beloved soft ground. He was arguably too far back at Longchamp last time when flying home.
Rider Silvestre de Sousa will be aware of that and be much more positive this time round. This horse is going to take a bit of beating. He’s quite a short price in what is probably the race of the day.
And I am sticking with Charyn, who will take some beating on that ground.
Megan’s Tip: Charym WIN
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Ascot 3.55 – Champions Stakes
I am torn! Calandagan (6/4 joint fav) obviously posted a massive run behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York.
That race has worked out unbelievably well while he’s proven on a slower surface and at Ascot. There’s plenty to like about him.
Economics (6/4 joint fav) is so tough. For him, my concern would be the softer ground. He ran well on heavy on his debut and has continued to improve in the small amount of racing he has had.
But I’m sticking with Calandagan, who is proven on that slower ground and he could end up being the horse most suited to these conditions.
Megan’s Tip: Calandagan WIN
Ascot 4.35 – Balmoral Handicap
I like the chances here of State Actor (7/1).
He is lightly raced compared to most. He is going up in the handicap but he’s very consistent. Slow ground is not a problem and neither is the mile trip.
This horse is progressing at a rate of knots and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in some graded races next year.
He’s certainly going the right way and he could be the group horse in a handicap.
Megan’s Tip: State Actor WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation