Frankel the undoubted star as Ascot prepares for Champions Day
Published:Five televised races, two Group One contests, punters are certainly in for a treat on Champions Day at Ascot and it is Frankel who is likely to steal the show in typical fashion.
Unbeaten in eight starts, Frankel is hoping to add a fourth Group One victory to his resume this season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Frankel is the 1/3 favourite and is likely to be threatened the most by Immortal Verse, who is largely considered to be Europe’s top female miler this season.
The other big race of the day is the Champion Stakes, with So You Think and Nathaniel expected to have a major tussle.
However, it is So You Think that is dominating in an Ascot betting sense as he is the 2/1 favourite, with the younger Nathaniel 6/1.
Alongside So You Think, another of Aidan O’Brien’s big guns is also in action at Ascot as Fame And Glory lines up in the Long Distance Cup.
But after two disappointing performances at the Curragh, Fame And Glory is 9/4 to triumph, with the more consistent but arguably less talented Opinion Poll heading the market at 7/4.
Elsewhere on the Ascot card, a tear up can be expected in the 6f Champions Sprint Stakes with Deacon Blues hoping to secure a fifth victory in succession.
He is the 9/4 favourite, but will face stiff competition from the likes of 5/2 shot Moonlight Cloud, who has recovered well since disappointing at Newmarket in June when sent off favourite for the 1,000 Guineas.
The final big race is the Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes and there are some big names taking part.
Among them are this season’s Oaks winner Dancing Rain and the first and second from a good Listed Race at Haydock in May, Ferdoos and Vita Nova.
