QIPCO Champions Stakes 2011

4.10 Ascot

QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance) (Group 1)

Advice: 1 pt win So You Think (9/4 general), 1 pt each/way Cirrus Des Aigles (8/1 general)

Cirrus Des Aigles: One of most prolific horses in training and enjoyed two easy wins of late  of his favoured soft ground, coasting on the bit in both of them; Very few faults with his faster ground from, as he would have 2 Group 1 wins on quick surfaces this season had it not been for Goldikova and Sarafina; Giving 4lbs to Byword proved just beyond him but holds a solid each/way chance at least here.

Green Destiny: Improved 30lbs since winning Newmarket handicap off 87 this season and showed smart turn of foot when winning Arc Trial having been poorly placed; Form looks better now Seas Of Heatbreak has won at Longchamp and interesting here.

Ransom Note: Gained an excellent front running win (his third in Group company) but arguably won’t get the run of the race here and latest Group 2 success is sub – standard; Others make more appeal.

So You Think: Australian sensation who has shown what he’s all about with Coral Eclipse success, atoning for his controversial defeat in Prince Of Wales’s Stakes beforehand; Made to work hard for his win in the Irish Champions Stakes before Arc fourth, which was hindered by his poor draw (14 out of 16, leaving him wider than he needed to be in a race where it paid to be prominent coming into straight); This no easier from fairly wide stall again but one has to assume he’ll take the beating.

Sri Putra: As admirable a type as you’ll get but held by So You Think, Green Destiny on most of his starts this year and seems to have poor record in bigger field races.

Twice Over: Has had a few poor runs this season, although excuses for all but one and looked ready to run at Group 1 level when running out a ready winner of the York Stakes (strong renewal) under a penalty; Backed that up with hard fought International Stakes win last time and should make a bold bid again, for all that he’s yet to win at Ascot.

Wigmore Hall: Gained a deserved Group 1 win after many unlucky trips (most of all when blocked for a run behind Cape Blanco in Arlington Million) in Canadian International last time; Form of that race (RPR of 114, exposed runner-up Simmard, who failed to make the frame in his last five starts in G2/3 company, beaten a neck) doesn’t look great on face of things and others make more appeal today although you wouldn’t bet against big run.

Midday: Remains as good as ever in her 5th season, and showed her class when retaining Nassau Stakes for the third year running after two defeats (had excuses both times) earlier on in season; Seemed to be beaten fair and square in International Stakes but might get cover and lead she needs in this big field which makes her a big threat today.

Snow Fairy: Not won since outstanding Hong Kong Cup triumph but progressed with each run this season, running a cracker when third in Arc; Reversed Irish Champion Stakes form with So You Think after having a better ride then, but still rates a major player.

Casamento: Back to decent form when winning Prix du Prince d'Orange in comfortable style at Longhcamp, beating useful field; Previous winner of Racing Post Trophy and below par efforts in the 2,000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club can be attributed to chasing far too fast a pace, so interesting at big odds.

Dubai Prince: Gained many admired with two easy wins last season, getting better of Seville (done much for form since) before easy Killavullan Stakes win; Left Dermot Weld and sidelined with injury since but undeniably impressive when brushing off 11-month absence to win quite well contested conditions race (second and third both won similar events next time) at Newbury last month; Could be anything and does make some appeal here with only 3 runs under his belt.

Nathaniel:  Been rapidly progressive in just 5 career starts, finding only Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach too good in Chester Vase before then romping home in King Edward VII Stakes; Career best when winning ill – fated King Gorge and that run might have been overlooked in grand scheme of things here; Drop down to 10 furlongs no problem for him at all.

VERDICT: A great race to watch and play on, with a myriad of alternatives to SO YOU THINK, although the Aussie superstar might be worth one more chance to show his true colours here with a better run than he got at Longchamp. Any one of 6 could be good each/way options but CIRRUS DES AIGLES’S form entitled him to be shorter than 8/1 with a plum draw in stall one, but any of Nathaniel, Snow Fairy, Twice Over, Midday and Dubai Prince would be decent choices.