Saturday racing tips
Caballo De Mar (Ascot, 13.30) – 1pt win @ 4/1 William Hill
Almeraq (Ascot, 14.05) – 2pts win @ 11/8 Betfred
Kalpana (Ascot, 14.40) – 2pts win @ 11/8 BetVictor
Gstaad (Ascot, 15.20) – 1pt win @ 3/1 Paddy Power
Calandagan (Ascot, 16.00) – 1pt win @ 2/1 247Bet
Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1) (13.30, Ascot)
What a superb race in prospect for the first of five Group 1 contests on the card. I sided with CABALLO DE MAR when he finished last in the Gold Cup at the Royal Meeting (2m4f, good to firm), which obviously wasn’t ideal but the post-race examination showed he’d been suffering from heat stress.
He’s been on his way back since then, being a beaten favourite at York (2m½f, good to soft) next time and has since won the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (2m2f, good) and the Group 1 Prix du Cadran (2m4f, good).
That latest effort was a career best and his third Group 1 win at Longchamp from as many visits. He has no Scandinavia in opposition today but he does face the fast-improving Highwayman, who improved over a stone according to official figures when landing last month’s St Leger from stablemate Enceladus.
Gregory has responded well to wind surgery, winning back-to-back Listed races, the latter over 2m (both on good) and is very much an improver, while Queenstown has a bit to find with the selection on Cadran running and Ebor winner Daiquiri Bay will also need further improvement if he is to land a first Group 1.
Saturday racing betting tip 1: Caballo De Mar (Ascot, 13.30) – 1pt win @ 4/1 William Hill
Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) (14.05, Ascot)
With the exception of his July Cup clip, ALMERAQ has carried all before him this season and is taken to confirm his superiority over this stellar field of sprinters.
The William Haggas-trained four-year-old stepped up on last year’s efforts when opening 2026 with success in Salisbury’s Listed Cathedral Stakes (6f, good), beat the brilliant Japanese raider Satano Reve in a thriller for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Ascot, and after that Newmarket defeat, bounced back in fine style with a decisive elite level success at Haydock (6f, soft) last month.
He seems to be at his peak when fresh and he’s had another six weeks since that last success, which should be ample to have him spot on and he won’t mind if the rains come.
I do like Coppull and Kind Of Blue. They look the more likely pair if there is to be an upset according to the odds on betting sites, both will have to hope the selection underperforms if they’re to lower his colours, on this season’s evidence.
Saturday racing betting tip 2: Almeraq (Ascot, 14.05) – 2pts win @ 11/8 Betfred
Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (14.40, Ascot)
This looks fascinating, with KALPANA renewing rivalries with Sparan Nua, whom she beat just a short head in that ding dong finish to the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks at York in August.
Kalpana is taken to make it three successive wins in this race but it is noted that she had a hard race on the Knavesmire and perhaps that was a reason why she wasn’t quite at her best in the Arc last time (3¾L fifth behind Daryz).
She may not need to be at her best to win this either but the thing that really sways it for me is her outstanding record here.
She’s turned up six times over either C&D or a very similar trip and finished 3-1-2-1-2-1. She loves it here, where her career best came when seeing off Calandagan to win the King George in July.
If you don’t want to go short and fancy an each-way alternative on the betting apps, then I’d be happy with Sparan Nua. She too had a hard race when nearly nicking the Yorkshire Oaks and that showed at Longchamp last time.
However, I also think that the faster ground in France won’t have been ideal and she’ll be better being back on good, with any ease in the ground a plus. The genius that is Jim Bolger isn’t bothering to send her without a chance.
Respect also the Minnie Hauk and Johanna Walsh in this field but Kalpana is the one for me.
Saturday racing betting tip 3: Kalpana (Ascot, 14.40) – 2pts win @ 11/8 BetVictor
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored By Qatar Racing) (Group 1) (15.20, Ascot)
Another race to savour, with Talk Of New York and GSTAAD again renewing rivalries and plenty of depth to a race that also sees Francis Graffard reach for the passport for Rayif for the first time.
I’d say the last-named could be a huge player and is less exposed than all the other leading contenders. Conditions won’t be a problem and he see a mile out well, so the French could have found another top drawer colt.
However, less exposed or not, Gstaad has been dining at the top table for some time and if you can forgive his odds-on flop in France last time, you can’t beat him for consistency in this field, because a routine effort for him is as good as anything the others have produced and his best is better than theirs.
His nemesis, Bow Echo now retired, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner is taken to win a second Group 1 of what has been a high class campaign. Talk Of New York is much respected but finished behind the selection in the St James’s Palace Stakes and for all the visual impression of his recent Joel Stakes win, this is deep.
Saturday racing betting tip 4: Gstaad (Ascot, 15.20) – 1pt win @ 3/1 Paddy Power
Qatar Racing Champion Stakes (Group 1) (16.00, Ascot)
Wow, a fifth Group 1 on the day and one that involved CALANDAGAN, Ombudsman, Bay City Roller, Constitution River and Almaqam. It must be the Champion Stakes!
The selection put the Ombudsman in his place by more than 2L when they clashed in this race last year but the latter has since raised the bar. What makes this particularly tricky is that both have recorded their best performances over C&D.
For me, and this is only marginal, the French raider may be more at home on genuine good ground and, while the Gosden inmate will act on it, his best two efforts have been on good to firm.
Like I say, we’re talking very small margins in races of such high quality and that is not to dismiss Arc runner-up Bay City Roller, who will be in there pitching for sure.
Constitution River has been unable to improve on his excellent Eclipse success in two more starts but he can’t be dismissed, while Almaqam is well worth his place in the field and should again give a good account. What a cracker!
Saturday racing betting tip 5: Calandagan (Ascot, 16.00) – 1pt win @ 2/1 247Bet
Responsible gambling
If you’re having a bet on Friday’s action, it’s vital to practice responsible gambling.
Betting can be addictive, and it’s important to stay in control of your gambling. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.
Racing betting sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help you stay in control.
But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
- NHS Help
- GamCare
- Gamblers Anonymous
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