2016 British Champions Day: Awtaad appeals among Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips: Awtaad each-way value
With some top-class form to his name, Irish raider Awtaad each-way looks decent value among Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips in a cracking renewal on British Champions Day at Ascot (15:10).
The Kevin Prendergast trained colt lowered the colours of Galileo Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas when quickening smartly to score by 2 1/2 lengths, before finishing a fine third behind that re-opposing rival in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes over course and distance.
Awtaad was then not at his best when eighth behind The Gurkha in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, but didn’t appear suited by the undulating track.
Back on track at Leopardstown
Awtaad each-way looks a real shout from among Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips.
Given a subsequent break, Awtaad then looked as good as ever when showing when landing a Group 2 at Leopardstown last month.
After tracking the leaders and travelling strongly in the hands of a confident Chris Hayes, Awtaad only had to be pushed into the lead deep inside the last to score readily by 1 1/2 lengths.
The three-year-old has reportedly thrived since and got underfoot conditions to suit. On the pick of his form, Awtaad looks capable of running a huge race on British Champions Day.
Minding a major player
Classic winning filly Minding lost little in defeat last time out, and thus looks a massive player for leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Four of Minding’s six Group 1 wins came this season.
This filly is a six-time Group 1 winner and her four wins in the grade this season include the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and Investec Oaks at Epsom.
There is little doubt that Minding is a real class act. The form of her latest run when a 3 1/2 length third to crack French colt Almanzor in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown has a strong look to it, with runner-up Found going on to land the Arc.
A daughter of Galileo, Minding was also given plenty to do by jockey Ryan Moore and not ideally placed when the tempo quickened, so in the circumstances it was a cracking effort.
Minding commands the utmost respect on that run, but slight worries are that she has had a long and hard campaign. She also now drops back to 1m for the first time since being beaten a head by Jet Setting in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Ribchester on a roll
An alternative among Queen Elizabeth II Stakes tips is Ribchester (centre, foreground).
Ribchester has thrived since finishing third to Galileo Gold in the 2,000 Guineas and looks sure to go well.
The Richard Fahey trained colt readily landed the 7f Jersey Stakes at this venue, before finishing a close-up third to The Gurkha in group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood when getting no luck in-running.
Ribchester then got back to winning ways in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. He came with a sustained run from off the pace to take up the running 120 yards from home and readily beat Vadamos by 1/2 a length.
It was a performance which suggested there could be even better to come, and the Godolphin owned colt has since been given a break to freshen him up for this assignment.
Related
You’ll find recommended race-by-race British Champions Day bets on the Ascot page of Coral news prior to the flat season’s big finale.
Coral’s top tip: Minding and Ribchester dominate the betting, but Awtaad is also a class act on his day and looks worth an each-way wager in a hotly competitive renewal of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
