British Champions Day takes place at Ascot tomorrow and Richard has five runners heading to post. The weather looks like it could cause problems with the official going description currently at Soft. With more rain due over the next 24 hours there could be a further downgrade on the going. The first runner heading to post for Richard is TUPI in the British Champions Sprint. ‘He has had a solid season winning a nice Listed race on the first day of the year and also adding a Group 1 placing at Deauville during the summer. He is a great horse to have in the yard and continues to improve. The only thing that worries me now is the ground as I know he is not as effective on anything less than good. This will more than likely be his final start before he heads out to Dubai in the winter’
The feature event for the day and also for the yard is BARNEY ROY running in the British Champions Stakes. ‘He has been in great order at home and I have done nothing different this time in preparing him for the big occasion. James had a sit on his last week and feels he has strengthened up again and we go into tomorrow with a very solid chance. He has won at Ascot and he has proved he gets the trip at Sandown in the Eclipse. The only problem being the ground as it might extend his stamina but I have always said that he will have no problem getting a mile and a half in due course.’
The final event on the card is the richest handicap in Europe. The Balmoral sees Richard send three horses to post. The first of those is THE GRAPE ESCAPE who won impressively last time at Pontefract. ‘He had a good break in the middle of the season and has come back in great form. He has won his last two starts and off his official mark is a couple of pounds well in. He continues to go well at home and should run a big race tomorrow on ground he won’t mind.’ The next runner is GEORGE WILLIAM who again managed to win his last start. ‘He is a horse that continues to improve and won nicely last time. Tom said it felt like a routine gallop at home. He appears in great form and off his Listed placed effort at Newbury he should be right there. The only problem is he has a six pound penalty which Hollie has been booked to help out with, which might make it hard work.’ The final runner is OH THIS IS US. ‘I have given him a bit of time between runs and he goes there a fresh horse. He has been working well at home and this will be his final run of the year before heading back out to Dubai for another crack at the winter carnival. He doesn’t want it too soft but as long as it’s not sticky ground he should be able to get through it.’