Maarek has 13 rivals to beat as he seeks back-to-back Sprint wins

Maarek (far side) beats Hawkeyethenoo by three-quarters of a length in last year’s QIPCO British Champions Sprint. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Maarek is seeking back-to-back wins in the £350,000 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, for which a strong field of 14 has been declared, and he revels in soft ground in the autumn.

He must have a huge chance, especially as he proved that he’s in the form of his life by winning the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc Day over five furlongs 11 days ago.

However, though he has won several races over six furlongs including obviously this race last year, he is probably slightly better at five furlongs, as his connections admit.

Hawkeyethenoo and Sirius Prospect chased him home 12 months ago and could go well again, but they seem to lack a bit of class to win a race of this calibre.

Balmont Mast has the class – he ran second in a Group 1 sprint in Dubai – but the ground may not suit and a similar comment applies to his stablemate from Eddie Lynam’s Irish yard, Slade Power.

He was third in the Darley July Cup on fast ground and runner-up in the Betfred Sprint Cup on soft, but appeared to be happier in the former race.

Cape Of Approval may be an outsider, but nevertheless makes definite appeal. He loves soft ground and defeated Maarek earlier in the season.

Jack Dexter is improving and this could be his day, while Hoof It, who was a top class sprinter before injury struck, can never be ruled out.

Two high class handicappers also take the eye – Heaven’s Guest, who was supplemented for the race on Monday after winning a big handicap at Ascot over seven furlongs, and Mass Rally, who won a big handicap at York last Saturday.

However the one who could really lay it down to Maarek is Viztoria, the third challenger from the Eddie Lynam yard.

She revels in soft ground and has the class to win this for sure having run sixth to Moonlight Cloud in the Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs on Arc Day, when she would have probably been second or third if the race had been run over Saturday’s six furlongs.

She has always been highly regarded in the yard and looks poised to make a big impact in race two on the QIPCO British Champions Day card at Ascot on Saturday.

To view the entries and race information, CLICK HERE.