BAT’S BETTER
French raider Bateel looks muddy marvel in Fillies & Mares cracker
BATEEL (nap) has conditions tailored to suit for her cross-Channel raid in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.40).
Last of 13 behind Journey in this race 12 months ago, my selection has taken her form to a new level after a switch from David Simcock to Chantilly-based Francis Graffard.
The daughter of Dubawi is unbeaten in her last three starts, following a soft-ground score in the Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock in June with a neck margin in the Prix de Pomone at Deauville two months later.
Last time out, my selection stepped up to the top tier to hold Journey by two and a half lengths in Chantilly’s Prix Vermeille.
Pierre-Charles Boudot’s mount meets her rival on the same terms and, with plenty of give in the ground after Storm Brian’s visit to Royal Berkshire, Bateel gets the vote to win again.
The ability to handle hock-deep mud will be at a premium, and the going places BEAT THE BANK has no worries on that score for his clash with Ribchester and Churchill in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.15).
The Andrew Balding-trained son of Paco Boy has won his last three outings by an aggregate of 11 lengths, including a five-length thrashing of Sir John Lavery in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket 22 days ago. Beat The Bank is well worth his place in this field, and his three-length call in the Thoroughbred Stakes on soft ground at Glorious Goodwood in August shows he has nothing to fear from this afternoon’s playing surface.
The first of the card’s three top-level contests, the British Champions Sprint QUIET REFLECTION (2.00), can provide (below) with a triumphant swansong.
Karl Burke’s filly, who heads for the Tattersalls auction ring in December, excelled on rain-softened going when lifting the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup at Haydock last year. Martin Harley’s mount has suffered training issues since, but her humbling of Alphabet at Naas on her latest outing augurs well for today.
Order Of St George will start a hot favourite for the opening British Champions Long Distance Cup (1.25), but Aidan O’Brien’s stayer should be taken STRADIVARIUS. on with
The Goodwood Cup hero was never stronger than at the finish when a close third to Capri in the St Leger at Doncaster in September and the return to two miles will help.
The concluding Balmoral Handicap THE GRAPE ESCAPE (4.30) is tricky, but seeks a hat-trick after coming home in front at Sandown and Pontefract and should give a good account.