*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The British Flat Trainers’ Championship runs until the end of the year but the title is set to be decided on British Champions Day at Ascot this Saturday.
A total pot worth £4,100,000 is on offer at the richest race day in the UK calendar and there is little to separate Charlie Appleby and William Haggas in the battle. Appleby, the winner of last year’s crown, leads the way with £5,375,274.88 in prize money to Haggas’ £5,294,645.80.
NEW TO PADDY POWER NEWS?
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Charlie looks to hold all the aces for the title with a bit of a stronger hand than William, who, despite having Baaeed in the Champion Stakes, will unfortunately not get to see the likes of Aldaary and Maljoom exhibit their talents on Champions Day.”
The following five races on British Champions Day will prove key to deciding this year’s British Flat Trainers’ Championship…
Ascot 14:00 – British Champions Sprint Stakes
Prize Money: £500,000
Winner: £283,550
Appleby chucks a couple of darts at the first Group 1 contest of the day, last year’s winner Creative Force and this season’s Platinum Jubilee scorer Naval Crown, while Haggas is without a runner so it’s a great chance for the 2021 champion trainer to get the day off to a decent start.
Ascot 14:40 – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
Prize Money: £500,000
Winner: £283,550
The third race on the card could provide an opportunity for both stables as Eternal Pearl for Appleby and Sea La Rosa for Haggas head into the contest boasting impressive winning streaks, although they’ll need to get the better of Emily Upjohn to take home the top prize.
Ascot 15:20 – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Prize Money: £1,100,000
Winner: £655,709
Haggas is without a runner for the second most lucrative renewal of the meeting – and the richest mile race in Europe – while multiple Group 1 winner Modern Games represents a live chance for Appleby, although Inspiral could prove a tough nut to crack.
Ascot 16:00 – Champion Stakes
Prize Money: £1,200,000
Winner: £737,230
The big race of the day and the richest mile and a quarter contest in Europe, Haggas’ stable star Baaeed bids to take his perfect record to 10 wins as he signs off his career but he faces, arguably, his toughest test to date against last year’s Epsom Derby winner Adayar, who arrives at Ascot fresh having had just one run this term.
Ascot 16:40 – Balmoral Handicap
Prize Money: £200,000
Winner: £103,080
The final contest on the card could provide another chance for Haggas to add more prize money to his tally at Appleby’s expense as he boasts six entries while his rival will not have a runner.
READ MORE
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest racing tips
- When is the Champion Stakes 2022? Ascot date, start time, runners and betting