Looking for expert ITV Racing tips for Saturday, 18th October. Our tipsters have handpicked today’s best horse racing tips for British Champions Day at Ascot, featured live on ITV1 and ITVX.
From form analysis to betting value, scroll for today’s top selections, a Saturday ITV Racing accumulator, and the best bookmaker offers.
Our acca for ITV's coverage on British Champions Day includes selections in the Long Distance Cup, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Champions Stakes. Back this 3-leg ITV accumulator for Saturday:
ITV’s coverage of British Champions Day at Ascot kicks off with the Group One Long Distance Cup.
Trawlerman appears to be far clear of this field on all available form, and if anything, the John & Thady Gosden runner has looked better than ever as a seven-year-old this term.
The gelding was a dominant seven-length winner of the Group One Gold Cup in June, beating Illinois by a commanding seven-length margin. Followed up that success on his latest start when he easily saw off Sweet Williams in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup.
Clear on ratings, and should be too good for this field.
The British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes is an excellent addition to the card at Ascot this weekend, and a fascinating field of 13 will line up.
I’m prepared to take a chance on Siren Suit at a bigger price for the John & Thady Gosden yard. The two-year-old was emphatic on the all-weather earlier this month when quickly putting two lengths between himself and Luansobe.
A return to Ascot could be just what he wants after running an excellent race over the shorter five-furlong trip at the course when just held by under a length, despite having trouble in running, by the talented Wise Approach in the Trial for this weekend’s race.
The Group One British Champions Sprint Stakes is due off at 14:05, and as expected, cases can be made for plenty.
Bigger-priced runners have an excellent record in the race, with just three of the last 12 editions being won by the favourite.
Montassib could be ready to go for the William Haggas yard this Saturday after making his long-awaited reappearance after nearly a year off the track when third of eleven in the Group Three World Trophy Stakes.
The step back up to six furlongs will suit his chances after winning on good ground over the trip at Haydock last September. Ran an excellent race on unsuitable ground in this race last year, and he should be prepped to go a few places better for the in-form combination of Haggas and Cieren Fallon on Saturday.
Nine of the last 12 winners of the Group One Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes have been aged three, meaning that enough of a case can be made to overlook market leaders Kalpana and Estrange.
Waardah has looked like an upwardly mobile filly for the Owen Burrows yard this season, and travels to Ascot after winning on her last two starts.
She has already proven her stamina this season, outstaying Danielle to land the Group Two Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood in August. However, her chances may be ground-dependent, with her best form coming on soft ground.
A bit of rain could ensure that she has a better chance, especially in receipt of weight from the market leaders.
A strong field of 16 runners will go to post for this year’s Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Field Of Gold will be aiming to bounce back following his no-show last time out, but that could be a challenging ask from a wide draw in a red-hot race.
Rosallion has been the nearly horse throughout this season for Richard Hannon, including when finishing ahead of Field Of Gold when beaten a neck by Qirat in the Group One Sussex Stakes.
His form figures over a mile this season read 2-2-2-3, and he was a winner over a mile at Ascot last June at the Royal meeting. Deserves to finally get that Group One success in open company, and this weekend could be his chance.
A star-studded field of eleven line up in the Group One Champion Stakes at 16:05 at Ascot. Calandagan was narrowly denied in the race 12 months ago by outsider Anmaat, but he could avenge that defeat with a third straight success in Group One company.
The French raider was sensational in the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July, beating Kalpana by a length, with recent winner Rebel’s Romance finishing back in third.
The drop back to a mile and two doesn’t negative his chances, as his stamina could be a key strength in the closing stages of the race.
Ombudsman looks like good value to take second, while Almaqam could run a big race to take third.
The final race on British Champions Day is the hotly competitive Balmoral Handicap over a straight mile. Plenty have leading chances, but it could be worth noting that only 30% of the winners of the race have been in the top three in the betting.
Horses aged five and older have only won two of the last ten editions. Therefore, the progressive Cerulean Bay could be a runner that appeals for the David O’Meara yard.
The four-year-old has won impressively on his last two starts at Goodwood, beating big fields in the process, including most recently in the London Handicap.
Yard has a good record in the race, and could be an each-way play at a double-digit price.
Coverage begins at 12:30 from Ascot on ITV1 and ITVX. Live races today include:
The Champions League is back this week, as matchday three throws up some exciting clashes across Europe. All eyes will be on Liverpool on Wednesday, as the Premier League Champions...
