Caravaggio can equal record for O’Brien on Champions Day as Ascot
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Irish trainer can make history with big day at Ascot
It’s one of the biggest sporting days of the calendar year this Saturday as the racing world gears up for British Champions Day at Ascot.
One of the major stories to look forward to is Aidan O’Brien’s bid to equal Bobby Frankel’s record of having most Group 1 wins in a season.
Hopes will rest on the likes of Caravaggio, Churchill, Highland Reel and Cliffs Of Moher.
There are four Group 1 renewals in total, as well as the Group 2 Long Distance Cup.
The Coral News Team pick out the best bets of the day and the major talking points.
Bet of the Day
The Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes is where the Bet of the Day lies. Francis Graffard’s French star Bateel will take plenty of beating in this 1m 4f renewal.
The five-year-old has been in progressive form all season. She was superb in a Group 3 at Haydock, as well as winning the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Chantilly last time out.
She thrashed Journey that day and will go at her again here at Ascot. The stellar mare has all the form, loves the soft ground and enjoys the course.
Bateel ticks all the boxes and is Coral’s Bet of the Day.
Harry Angel can be beaten
If Aidan O’Brien is to get over the line and equal Frankel’s record, it’s arguably Caravaggio that is his best shot of the day.
Harry Angel is the hot favourite but with conditions likely to be poor, he can be taken on. This 6f sprint looks hugely competitive with five in with a chance.
At the current odds, it’s probably O’Brien’s flyer who’s most value. Of the three occasions Harry Angel has been beaten, they have all come at Ascot.
Caravaggio beat him here back in June. With Ryan Moore booked to ride the three-year-old again, there’s a chance of a similar result.
O’Brien’s stable taking on Cracksman
John Gosden held Cracksman back from the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the hope of a big win in this Champions Stakes renewal.
The three-year-old will certainly take all the beating. But if anyone is going to do it, it’s probably going to be Aidan O’Brien.
The Irish trainer will challenge with Highland Reel and Cliffs Of Moher. It’s a tight call between the pair, but Highland Reel is the most likely.
This five-year-old star is a big stayer at the distance no matter what the conditions are. If Cracksman can keep him at bay, he’ll probably win it.
1:25 Ascot – Stradivarius e/w
2:00 Ascot – Caravaggio
2:40 Ascot – Bateel
3:15 Ascot – Sir John Lavery e/w
3:50 Ascot – Highland Reel
4:30 Ascot – Accidental Agent
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
