With the possibility of wet weather in October a constant worry for the organisers of QIPCO British Champions Day, Ascot's Clerk of the Course Chris Stickells has revealed that he is considering the option of running the G1 QIPCO Champion S. on a “bespoke” inner course at the Berkshire track.
The addition of running rails will create an extra Flat track within the current course and outside the steeplechase course which would make give an extra 80 metres in the run to the first bend, which is thought will help to reduce the influence of the draw.
“We have undertaken extensive research in an effort to ensure we are running QIPCO British Champions Day on the best possible ground available,” Stickells commented. “Last year the existing Outer Flat Course was good to soft, soft in places. We also walked the area we are now thinking of using for the QIPCO Champion Stakes and it was good, good to firm in places. Subsequent readings suggest we will see something similar.”
Entries close for the Champion S. on Aug. 2, by which stage Ascot will have confirmed whether or not a specially marked inner course will be used. In future, the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S. and Long Distance Cup could also be switched to the better ground on the inside, though the slight distance changes incurred in order to find the ideal position for the start of each race would need to be approved by the European Pattern Committee.
The potential change to the Group 1 contest was given the thumbs-up by leading jockey Ryan Moore, who said, “The Champion Stakes is such an important race and the proposed changes seem like a sensible and viable option in ensuring the race is run on the best possible ground available.”
Ruth Quinn, the BHA's Director of International Racing and Racing Development, added, “We have been delighted with the quality of the QIPCO Champion Stakes since it has been run as the flagship race on QIPCO British Champions Day. The research that Chris Stickels and the BHA Inspectorate have undertaken suggests that the Inner Flat Course is likely to produce better ground for the race and, as such, we hope that its availability will provide connections with increased confidence when it comes to targeting the race with top-class horses. The reality is that this is a competitive market place, so anything we can do to drive further improvement––whether in terms of ground or draw––has to be seen as a positive move.”
QIPCO British Champions Day takes place on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
