Ben Morgan’s Champions Day tips – William Haggas set for a landmark day at Ascot

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Saturday’s Champions Day action at Ascot.

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1.30 – Gosden’s Gregory to continue upward curve

Caballo De Mar is fresh from his victory of Scandinavia and rates an obvious favourite here but as tough as he is, he will have to assume new levels of ‘toughness’ if he is to bounce back and win this in my opinion.

I think this is a perfect opportunity for a horse like GREGORY who has had a much lighter campaign to make his mark in the staying division.

He has returned this year, after a year out, seemingly better than ever with wins at York and Newmarket in lesser company than this.

However, given his size and scope I believe the year out may have even benefitted him as he now looks the more complete package.

He is in deeper waters today but odds of 5/1 are more than fair enough about a horse who could quite easily be the best of these.

2.05 – Favourite looks banker material in Champions Sprint

It’s going to take a very good one to down ALMERAQ here as he looked quite the best of them by a long way at Haydock.

That was on soft ground but his victory in the Queen Elizabeth at the Royal meeting suggests he can handle most surfaces.

A blowout in the July Cup has been excused and I think he could be the banker of the day here.

Having said that, this race can throw up a stinky result or two and if that were to be the case again this year I wouldn’t put anyone off a few quid each way on MITBAAHY who has so often been the hard luck story this season.

Usually held up and a later closer he is a frustrating horse to follow but does always seem to run his race whatever the grade.

He could surprise a few at 50/1.

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2.40 – Haggas has another fizzy filly on his hands

Everything looks set for a perfect swan song for Kalpana here but she has to bounce back from an under whelming run in the Arc just two weeks ago.

She has had a long season and I certainly wouldn’t be following her at 6/4 here.

The improving LILT looks the one to be on as the step up to 1m 4f should bring about plenty of improvement.

Her form so far looks pretty useful and she was a big eye catcher last time out over 1m 2f behind Thundering On when somehow finishing second from an unpromising position 2 furlongs out.

A lighter campaign, with clearly more expected at 4 next year, might just mean she arrives here fresher than her rivals and she could be set to benefit from that.

At 15/2 she looks a fruity bet.

3.20 – Thunder set to roll in QEII

William Haggas could be set for a landmark day on Saturday as he has plenty of chances throughout the day and despite his price I’d rate MORE THUNDER one of his more likely winners.

The straight mile at Ascot with his own pace maker in looks near optimum conditions for this impressive veteran and his trainer still believes he has a big mile race in him.

The three year olds here look a good bunch but the selection has been mixing it at the top table for a few seasons now and definitely belongs amongst the best.

Almost certain to run his race, I think he’s a great bet at 10/1.

READ MORE: Can Kalpana defy the low-draw curse for a historic Champions Day treble?