Ascot Champion Stakes tips and predictions: Bay Bridge backed for a win

The Qipco Champion Stakes is one of the most prestigious Flat races in Europe. Run over a distance of 1m 2f, the Group 1 contest is open to three-year-olds and above.

Nine runners have been declared for this year’s renewal, with horses featuring from the UK, Ireland and France. It will take place on the inner course this year, as the round course was declared soft, and heavy in places. 

Last year’s winner, Bay Bridge, is bidding to become the first horse since Cracksman in 2018 to defend his crown. Horizon Dore arrives from France looking to win a Group 1 contest for the first time, while Derby runner-up King Of Steel is the highest-rated three-year-old in the field. 

Ascot Champion Stakes, Saturday October 21, 3.45pm 

Ascot Champion Stakes tips

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Bay Bridge can replicate 2022 success

Bay Bridge has performed consistently well at the highest level over the past couple of years and got his reward for that in 2022 when he claimed his first Group 1 success in this race.

Sir Michael Stoute’s runner was able to overcome a field that included the unbeaten Baaeed and former Derby winner Adayar. He stayed on better than any of his rivals in the final couple of furlongs to score by just under a length.

The five-year-old has the ability to do it again and his connections will be encouraged by what they have seen from their horse in his previous couple of appearances. He prevailed comfortably in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, while last time out he finished a respectable sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which was won by Ace Impact.

The son of New Bay is a versatile horse when it comes to ground conditions. He has run well on very soft ground at Longchamp before, so unlike some of his rivals in this race his chances are not hindered by any further rain.

Last year’s winner is the joint second-highest-rated runner in this field behind Mostahdaf, but with the Shadwell runner not done any favours with the ground his class can show once again at Ascot.

Horizon Dore can copy Cirrus Des Aigles success

Because of the position of this meeting on the European racing calendar, French horses do not appear very often in the Champions Stakes, as their trainers tend to favour the Arc meeting earlier in the month. 

However, those who have made the trip have fared well in this race, with Cirrus Des Aigles (2011), Almanzor (2016) and Sealiway (2021) all prevailing.

Horizon Dore is the latest French-trained horse to attempt to land this 1m 2f contest. Like Cirrus Des Aigles in 2011, he comes into this race without a Group 1 success, but that does not indicate he is not a major player here.

The three-year-old gelding has been on an impressive run since June, winning his previous four races. He won over this 1m 2f trip in the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud back in July, while more recently he came out on top in the Group 2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp.

Patrice Cottier’s runner is familiar with running on soft ground in France, remains open to improvement and will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona, a jockey who is very familiar with the big occasion.

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