Horse Racing
Season
British Champions Sprint Stakes – Form Comments

20/10/2017 17:46

G1 – 1200m – Turf

1 Brando Finished fast to snatch third in this race last year and another strong finish saw him win a G1 over 1300m (good) at Deauville this August. Versatile groundwise but this gelding lacks consistency and has been below his best on his last two starts.
2 Danzeno Grabbed third late on in this G1 in 2015, and ended a long losing run when again showing that he likes Ascot by winning over 1000m here this July – again finishing well. Fourth in a G3 here most recently though it might not have helped that he lost a shoe that day.
3 Donjuan Triumphant A G2 winner earlier in his career and has returned to form now, winning his last two starts including when producing a late surge to win a valuable 1200m handicap under a big weight at Haydock late last month. Very testing ground then, his preferred conditions.
4 Librisa Breeze Built his reputation in handicaps, and the second of his two 1400m Ascot victories was a memorable finish from way back to beat 17 rivals. Sixth in this last year when not getting a great passage. Needs to improve on his 2017 efforts if he’s to make a big impact.
5 Tasleet In first-time cheekpieces, a strong surge saw him land a soft-ground G2 at York in May. Twice second in G1’s since, including when 4 lengths behind Harry Angel on heavy ground at Haydock last month, keeping on bravely though having no chance with the winner.
6 The Tin Man Fourth in this two years ago but closed fast and late to win it on good ground in 2016. Clear highlight from his four 2017 starts was his G1 Royal Ascot victory over this distance on fast ground in June, again finishing fast. Has ground to find with Harry Angel on recent Haydock running, but he does thrive on this track.
7 Tupi As his trainer says you don’t know what to expect with Tupi, and in a G1 over 1300m at Deauville in August he defied huge odds to run into third place. However soundly beaten on his last two starts and softening ground won’t help.
8 Washington DC Tends to struggle when confronted with G1 sprint company these days though his trademark late charge did result in a G3 victory on fast ground at The Curragh in August but well beaten at York last time. He handles other ground but prefers it fast.
9 Caravaggio A G1 fast ground winner over 1200m at Royal Ascot in June – three-quarter lengths too strong for second placed Harry Angel and stretching his unbeaten winning streak to six. However two G1 disappointments – each when red-hot favourite – followed. To his credit he bounced back to win a testing ground G2 (1000m) at The Curragh last month. Closes late.
10 Harry Angel Keeps getting faster, and a brilliant G1 winner over this distance on his last two starts, at Newmarket on fast ground and at Haydock on testing ground, quickening so well from the front last time that it was most probably the most impressive 1200m performance in Europe in 2017. Major chance.
11 Intelligence Cross Sometimes used as a pacemaker for Caravaggio which looks the case again today. He managed his third career win last time on slow ground over a similar distance to this at Navan, but that was at a very much lower grade than this.
12 Quiet Reflection A past G1 winner over this course and distance but disappointed in this in 2016. She thrives on slow ground, the conditions of her recent G3 Naas victory, quickening decisively late on. A light season may be in her favour and her stable have enjoyed a great year.
13 Alphabet She won a maiden on her first start this year but has been beaten in 12 starts since and looks just below very top class, though soft ground would be in her favour. Expect her to race right up with the speed.