Nathaniel offers value for victory on British Champions Day
Sportsdesk • Published 14 Oct 2011 06:00
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MILLIONS of people around the world will be captivated by the culmination of the first ever British Champion Series at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday with Nathaniel chosen to make it a day to forget for bookmakers in the Champion Stakes.
John Gosden's stable star won the King George at the Berkshire track in July and missed a tilt at the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp earlier this month due to unseasonably quick ground.
However, the son of Galileo arrives at Ascot fresher than multiple group one winner So You Think, who finished fourth behind Danedream in France, and is taken to confirm his superior rating against Sir Henry Cecil's Twice Over who is bidding for a third consecutive win in the race. The 6-1 currently on offer with Ladbrokes represents excellent value.
The undefeated Frankel should win the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes but at 1-3 isn't a valuable betting proposition.
Whereas, 25-1 outsider Dick Turpin looks a sound each way bet after returning to form with a win in the group one Premio Vittorio Di Capua in San Siro, Italy last month. Shergar Cup winning jockey Richard Hughes has already chosen him over trainer Richard Hannon's over runner Dubawi Gold.
Fame And Glory and Opinion Poll finished first and second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot this summer and the former should confirm that form having not had as many hard races this season.
Society Rock has only been beaten once at Ascot and land the Champions Sprint after a below par run in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock last time. Trainer James Fanshawe's other entry Deacon Blues is a danger alongside Bated Breath who will appreciate the fast conditions.
The Fillies and Mares Stakes looks set to be a match between three-year-olds Banimpire and Dancing Rain with the later taken to add to his English and German Oaks successes.
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