Tag: racing

Champions Day Preview

A stacked six-race card awaits on Britain’s richest race day this Saturday as the flat season reaches its crescendo at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.

The feature race, the QIPCO Champion Stakes (3.55 pm), sees Economics bid to finish the campaign unbeaten and live up to his reputation as the hottest colt in training.

The ever impressive Tom Marquand will be onboard who will be looking to end 2024 on a high and only boldens Economics’ chances.

One of the most talked-about horses of the season, Economics will look to follow up his six-length demolition in the Dante back in May, though some may question his form on softer ground.

Trainer William Haggas said: “He’s ready to go. He has won on fast ground this year, and we’ll see whether he copes with this easier surface.

“I think he’ll be okay because I think he’s very versatile. It’ll be top of the list of excuses if it all goes wrong, I suppose!”

He’ll face stiff competition from Calandagan, and it will be no surprise if the French invader is backed into favouritism.

Calandagan has proved to be a class act and, unlike Economics, will relish any softer ground, having twice won in bottomless conditions. His one-length second place to City of Troy in the Juddmonte International is impressive form, to say the least. However, he does have a tendency to get held up and will be hoping for a strong pace to aim at from the back.

While City of Troy prepares for his Breeders’ Cup conquest, Aidan O’Brien’s backup in Los Angeles is not to be underestimated.

An impressive third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago, and with an Irish Derby win to his name, Los Angeles will be looking to disrupt the two market leaders, with Ryan Moore on board.

Acknowledging his consistency across the season, O’Brien said: “He’s held his form together all season and run well in some very big races.”

Elsewhere in the market, there’s value to be found with Kings Gambit, who, although lacking many wins, has been a consistent performer at this level.

Jean-Paul Gauvin’s trained Iresine is also a noteworthy threat. A two-time Group One winner, the seven-year-old has triumphed in 15 of his 23 career starts and arrives on the back of Group Two success in the Prix Foy.

The pick of the action elsewhere comes in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.15 pm), where Charyn will bid to back up his impressive Queen Anne Stakes victory in his final run before retirement.

Never out of the first two in any of his four Group One races, he’s as consistent as they come, and it would be no surprise if he were to win again here.

Like Economics, Charyn might prefer better ground, and last year’s runner-up Factor Coeval wouldn’t mind a little more drizzle to rain on the favourite’s parade.

Cheltenham Festival shake up: Are handicaps the solution?

‘Cross-country chase’ by Carine06 is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the National Hunt season, but for years, fans have called for changes to keep it fresh and competitive. It’s clear that the festival has needed a shake-up for some time. Attendance figures have been in steady decline over the last two renewals, with many pointing to the exorbitant costs of accommodation and travel as a deterrent.

Beyond logistics, there are issues with the racing itself. Since the event expanded to 28 races in 2016, last year’s festival saw the lowest average field sizes on record – down 15%. For punters, this has dampened betting opportunities, with most races dominated by short-priced favourites, forcing many to rely on longshot multiples in hopes of turning a profit.

In response, the Jockey Club has announced changes aimed at addressing these concerns. Notably, the Cross Country Chase and Turners Novice Chase will be converted into handicaps in an effort to boost field sizes and competitiveness.

The decision to handicap the Turners Novice Chase has some merit. Despite providing memorable moments, like Galopin Des Champs’ infamous final fence blunder in 2022, that year’s race featured just four runners. Many top novice chasers bypass the Turners in favor of the Arkle Chase or the Brown Advisory Chase. By making the Turners a handicap, it may become a more attractive option for trainers. However, this raises the question: shouldn’t Cheltenham be all about the best facing the best?

The changes to the Cross Country Chase, on the other hand, feel like a misstep. This unique 3m 6f race over unconventional obstacles has been a fan-favorite, with iconic showdowns like Tiger Roll vs Delta Work. The event already attracts large fields and offers great value for punters, so turning it into a handicap seems unnecessary – like throwing the baby out with the bath water. By doing so, Cheltenham risks losing the charm and competitive spirit that make the Cross Country Chase such a highlight of the week. 

The debate over increasing competitiveness through handicaps has some rationale, but there’s a cost. Forcing races like the Cross Country Chase into a handicap format risks stripping them of their unique appeal.

The real question is whether the festival needs fewer races to recapture its magic. Cheltenham is the crown jewel of National Hunt racing, and we want to see the best horses going head-to-head. Reducing the schedule could force trainers’ hands and ensure more competitive fields in the races that matter most. This idea, long proposed by many racing fans, might now gain further traction.

Ultimately, Cheltenham must find a balance between competitiveness and preserving the essence of what makes it special. Whether these changes will strike that balance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the festival is in need of reform. The question is whether these are the right ones.