Horse Racing Picks: Ascot Champions Day Predictions, Preview, and Odds (Oct 21)

• Four Grade 1s are staged as Ascot Champions Day crowns the top performers of the flat season in Britain in 2023
• G1 Champion Stakes will feature multiple-time stakes winners over a mile and two

The curtain comes down on a thrilling season of flat racing in the United Kingdom on Saturday, as the top stars are crowned on Ascot Champions Day. In total, five graded stakes races will be on the card, with four Grade 1s among the standout clashes.

Schedule and How To Watch

• When: Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8:15 a.m. ET
• Where: Ascot Racecourse, London, England
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Odds & Pick

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook

A clash of superstar performers on an excellent card will come in the form of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over a mile. Paddington has been a superstar for Aidan O’Brien throughout the season, and holds the advantage over his rivals this weekend in terms of ratings.

The three-year-old has won five from six starts in stakes company, and there is a belief that his run over an extended mile and two when third was an accumulation of too many races in a short space of time. Back over a mile, he holds solid claims and the expected testing ground shouldn’t be an issue after winning on soft at Goodwood in the G1 Sussex Stakes in August.

Tahiyra is a deserving second favorite, and the filly for Dermot Weld gets weight off the market leader. She was last seen landing victory over a mile at Leopardstown, while she scored over course and distance in June. However, the expected rain could make Big Rock a major player for Christopher Head.

He was second behind Arc winner Ace Impact over an extended mile and two at Chantilly in June, while he beat Champion Stakes favorite Horizon Dore by over five lengths over a mile and one on heavy ground in the G3 Prix de Guiche. On testing ground, he will be a major player, and he currently looks overpriced in the betting.

Ascot Champions Day Predictions:

• Exacta:

READ MORE: F1 Picks: United States Grand Prix Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Oct 22)

Champion Stakes Odds & Pick

Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook

The G1 Champion Stakes is the feature on the card at Ascot this weekend, with the field competing over a distance of a mile and two furlongs. Horizon Dore has been subject of a lot of money throughout the week, as the French raider looks to land a fifth straight race.

The three-year-old was excellent over a mile and two at Longchamp on his previous start, beating Jack Darcy by over a length in the G2 Prix Dollar. However, the weather could be a concern after he finished over five lengths behind Big Rock on heavy ground in the G3 Prix de Guiche.

King Of Steel will be Frankie Dettori’s final ride in a British Group 1, but the three-year-old is still looking for a first Group 1 success. He was last seen finishing fourth of eight at Leopardstown in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. But, his three-length win over St Leger victor Continuous at Ascot could be an interesting angle.

Bay Bridge was a sensational winner of this race 12 months ago for Sir Michael Stoute, and he has been lightly raced this term. But, he does come to Ascot this year after a testing race in the Arc when sixth at Longchamp. My Prospero looked back to his best on soft ground at Goodwood when winning the Foundation Stakes, and is my second pick. But, I’ll be taking a chance on in-form Royal Rhyme this weekend.

The Karl Burke runner is proven on soft ground, having won over a mile and two already on testing ground at Newmarket and Goodwood. He was last seen streaking away from the field to land the Doonside Cup at Ayr, and further improvement could be on the cards from this three-year-old.

Ascot Champions Day Predictions:

Other Ascot Champions Day Predictions