Champion Stakes Big-Race Verdict: Owen & Matt’s tips include a 33-1 shot

Big-race Saturday’s don’t come much more important than Champions Day at Ascot. The entire card will be shown live on ITV Racing, with the feature of the day, the Champion Stakes. We will have free horse racing tips for all the contests shown live.

‘Let’s not forget, he was Derby favourite’

Regardless of the result, this race should be one to savour. It’s round two for Mishriff and Adayar, who renew a rivalry started at the King George back in July. There’s no doubt, those are the horses to beat, and I’d favour Mishriff of the two, but I’ll go for Bolshoi Ballet at a price.

Let’s not forget, he was Derby favourite after a pair of ten-furlong Group 3 demolitions, before not staying and being struck into at Epsom on the day proper. Subsequently, he’s been in North America, where he landed the Grade 1 Belmont Derby and wasn’t disgraced in two other outings, latterly over a twelve-furlong trip he doesn’t enjoy.

He returns to the UK over his ideal distance and the lack of rain has brought the ground firmly into his favour. At 33-1, if he can harness his best form, he’s a brilliant each-way bet, especially if this turns into a sprint – Owen Goulding

‘Those two runs are the top two RPR’s of his career’

The ground looks unlikely to be as bad as it has been a number of times in recent years. That is a big plus for Mishriff who got stuck in the mud here last year. Outstayed by Adayar in the King George over a mile and a half, he showed this to be his best trip when absolutely sluicing up in the Juddmonte International when last seen.

Those two runs are the top two RPR’s of his career so it would appear that he is still improving. That is going to very much make him the one they all have to beat. Adayar had a hard race in the Arc just thirteen days back and the ground is not going to be as deep as the 2020 winner of this race Addeybb would like.

As such, things look perfectly set up for the John & Thady Gosden-trained globetrotter to add another Group 1 to his impressive resume – Matt Newman

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