Oisin Murphy has six rides on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday and here are his thoughts…
Speaking at a press conference organised by Great British Racing, champion jockey elect Oisin Murphy kindly ran down the card to give us his thoughts on Saturday's rides.
Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup
Alsakib – Andrew Balding
"Alsakib is drawn high, it's not a very big field though with only nine runners. All the usuals are in there. I thought Trawlerman could be the one. He seems to come good this time of year and I thought he was a very good ride for William Buick. I'm hoping Alsakib can run a good race, he certainly has a place chance."
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes
Flora Of Bermuda – Andrew Balding
"I had an awful look on her at Haydock in the Sprint Cup. I thought I was in the perfect position behind Bucanero Fuerte and Inisherin but they both stopped at the same time. I had to wait a furlong and then the race unfolded away from me. She was genuinely unlucky. She's drawn not great being 20 of 20 but Kinross is up high in 18 and Art Power in 12 so hopefully there won't be too much of a bias on the straight course. We always feel that on the straight course at Ascot at this time of year, a low draw is best so maybe they'll congregate a little bit towards that far side, but she goes there with a big chance."
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Queen Of The Pride – John and Thady Gosden
"I probably got the most enjoyment outside of Group 1 victories when partnering her to two successes. I thought she could win the Yorkshire Oaks, but she just wasn't healthy on the day. I've ridden her a few times since at home and I think she's primed and ready to go. She has a good run on soft ground at Goodwood when she probably wasn't fully fit, I thought her win at Haydock in the Lancashire Oaks was exceptional, she really hit the line for me. I don't have a great draw, but her dam (Simple Verse) won on Qipco British Champions Day a few years ago and obviously, her father Roaring Lion gave me an incredible victory in the QEII.
"I have respect for Kalpana, I rode her yesterday morning, and she couldn't be in better shape. Anyone who saw her in the paddock at Newmarket when she was behind Friendly Soul in the Listed race will be able to see how well she's done physically between May and now. She's much bigger and stronger and a great actioned filly. Aidan O'Brien also has four in there so we mustn't forget them, it looks quite an open race but one with plenty of strength to it."
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Tamfana – David Menuisier
"David Menuisier has told me he couldn't be happier with her wellbeing. It sounds like she has bounced out of her Sun Chariot victory and I'm really looking forward to partnering her. She is very easy to ride, and she has a good draw besides Charyn, I'm very pleased about that and she relaxes wherever you want. She handles soft ground well.
"Obviously, Charyn has been the standout miler this season, he goes on all ground conditions and doesn't know how to run a bad race. He will be a tough nut to crack and there are a few others in there such as Metropolitan, the French horse, that warrant respect for the young Italian-French-based trainer Mario Baratti."
Qipco British Champion Stakes
King's Gambit – Harry Charlton
"I rode him work about ten days ago at Kempton and he felt great and in super shape. Harry Charlton has had a fantastic start since beginning training in his own name and this horse goes there with a big outside chance.
"I think Calandagan and Economics are two world-class horses. On ratings, there are few horses better than them on the planet. I thought what Economics did in the Irish Champion Stakes was fantastic.
"Calandagan passed me like I was standing still at Royal Ascot. He has an interesting draw in one, but Stephane Pasquier is riding at an unbelievable level, we saw him come over the Newmarket last weekend and win a race for Christopher Head very impressively and he was also second in the Arc. Economics has a decent draw, King's Gambit is drawn a bit high but he doesn't often show much gate speed so hopefully I can follow them around and see if I can beat the two at the top of the market in the straight."
Balmoral Handicap
Toimy Son – David Menuisier
"He got the perfect ride from William Buick in the Cambridgeshire. He was drawn on the correct side and got a toe into it. I thought it was a brilliant effort. It looks hard to go through this race and find horses that are particularly well-treated, but Qiraat looks interesting although he is a reserve. If he managed to sneak in he might be the one to concentrate one."
