BAAEED tops the bill as a glittering cast list assembles for the £4million QIPCO British Champions Day seasonal finale at Ascot this afternoon.
The William Haggas-saddled son of Sea The Stars is a perfect 10 from 10 as he approaches the final race of his career in the £1.3million QIPCO Champion Stakes (4.00).
And even the understated Haggas goes into raptures when asked about the best horse he has trained in a career spanning five decades.
“He’s just got everything,” gushes Haggas, whose four-year-old is a best-priced 1-4 chance for his swansong. “I’ve always likened my job to being the headmaster of a boarding school.
“I don’t know why he’s good at everything he does, but he just is. He’d be Prime Minister!”
The handsome bay colt, on whom Jim Crowley bears the silks of his late boss, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, has an unbeaten record that includes Group 1 triumphs on his last six starts.
A step up from a mile to today’s 10-furlong trip saw Baaeed rout his rivals by six and a half lengths in the Juddmonte International at York in August.
“He’s the perfect racehorse and riding him is a great feeling,” smiles Crowley. “I’ll never find another one like him – he’s a superstar.”
Adayar , last year’s Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes victor, provides meaningful opposition after a belated winning comeback at Doncaster last month.
But the Godolphin challenger looks set for the silver medal if Baaeed, who signs off at Ascot after connections turned down an ambitious tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, brings his awesome A game to his career farewell.
The rest of the champions Day selections
1.25 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP
ELDAR ELDAROV has just one blemish on a CV that now includes the St Leger and looks the type to thrive for a first crack at two miles.
On the back of a last-nose, the Roger Varian trainee underperformed in fourth when favourite for the top-level Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp next time.
But David Egan’s mount was strong at the finish to beat New London by two lengths at Doncaster, and has more to offer.
Trueshan isn’t passed over lightly, with the dual winner’s Doncaster Cup conqueror Coltrane next best.
2.00 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS SPRINT STAKES
ART POWER is fancied to make it third time lucky in this race.
Fourth in 2020, Tim Easterby’s grey did well from the worst of the draw in stall 20 when occupying the same position behind Creative Force 12 months ago.
Art Power, for whom cut in the ground is ideal, impressed with a three-length repeat victory in the Curragh’s Group 3 Renaissance Stakes for David Allan last month and another good run is on the cards.
Rohaan has a course record that makes him of interest, along with Platinum Jubilee Stakes hero Perfect Power .
2.40 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS FILLIES & MARES STAKES
ETERNAL PEARL continues to go from strength to strength and can make her first foray into Group 1 company a winning one.
Since getting off the mark at the fourth attempt in a novice stakes at Kempton Park in June, the Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of Frankel hasn’t looked back.
On the back of a Listed score at Newmarket in July, Will Buick’s partner lifted a Group 3 at Deauville before defying a penalty in Newmarket’s same-level Princess Royal Stakes last month, and isn’t done with yet.
Sea La Rosa keeps coming up with personal bests and is feared, with Rosscarbery the pick of those at bigger odds.
3.20 QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES (BRITISH CHAMPIONS MILE)
INSPIRAL comes here a fresh horse and is rightly a warm order to rack up a fourth Group 1 triumph.
Having blasted to a four-and-three-quarter-length supremacy in the top-tier Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on her belated return, last season’s champion two-year-old filly was floored at 1-7 in the Falmouth Stakes three weeks later.
But Inspiral was back to winning form with a neck call in Deauville’s Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois last time out and is the form choice to give the John and Thady Gosden stable a record-equalling fifth victory in this race.
Jadoomi is going places and deserves another at Group 1 opposition, while the 2020 winner The Revenant commands respect.
4.40 BALMORAL HANDICAP
ORBAAN has shed his nearly-man status with a vengeance this summer and still features on a competitive mark.
David O’Meara’s stable stalwart ended a two-year losing streak when landing the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood in July, following up at Ascot’s Shergar Cup eight days later.
Orbaan didn’t get the breaks when fourth at York next time and just failed to overhaul I’m A Gambler over seven furlongs at Goodwood on his most recent start.
Neil Callan’s mount has won off this mark in the past and should not be underestimated. Migration and Sweet Believer are at the top of a long short list.
