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9 Aug 2017

All star cast set to contest QIPCO British Champions Sprint

The Tin Man wins on QIPCO British Champions Day

With £600,000 in prize money, Europe’s joint-most valuable sprint has attracted a top-class set of entries, including 10 individual Group 1 winners, featuring last year’s hero The Tin Man.

Trained by James Fanshawe and owned by an enthusiastic syndicate of stable supporters, The Tin Man has continued to thrive this season, taking the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on his most recent appearance at a track he clearly relishes.

“The Tin Man is in great form and he will be aimed for the QIPCO British Champions Sprint,” said Fanshawe. “Hopefully we can have him in as good a form as he was last year when we get to 21st October. It’s a great day and we really enjoyed last year. He seems fine after Newmarket and the idea is to aim for the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock next month.”

Growl was a 50/1 chance when chasing home The Tin Man in last year’s race and Richard Fahey is already eyeing the contest again after his charge’s latest fourth in the Qatar Stewards’ Cup.

“I thought he ran okay at Goodwood and hopefully he is on the way back,” said Fahey. “We had a great day last year on Champions Day with Ribchester also running so well and the prize money is so generous that you have to look at these kind of races.

“I’ve also entered Kimberella, who has been a brilliant little horse since he came to us, and Don’t Touch, who was fifth last year, and came back with a little problem from his latest run at Newcastle. He’s back in work again now though and I hope you’ll see a much-improved performance next time.”

Third in the race 12 months ago was Brando, who has since claimed a first Group 1 success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last the weekend. Ryan plans to run his charge next at Haydock in the 32Red Sprint Cup and is looking at the QIPCO British Champions Sprint afterwards.

Karl Burke, trainer of Quiet Reflection, the outstanding winner of the Commonwealth Cup and the Haydock Sprint Cup last year, is not ruling out heading straight to Champions Day with his stable star, who has been restricted to just one appearance this year.

“I am really pleased with her,” reported the trainer. “She started cantering this week and she honestly looks the best I have seen her this year. We’ve got four weeks until Haydock and I’d like to run her there, but if the ground was good or quicker we might look for something else between then and the QIPCO British Champions Sprint, or head straight there.

“She’s been walking and trotting for a while and her overall level of fitness is pretty good. She’s a dual Group 1 winner who has shown before what she can do at the top level.”

Also entered are Darley July Cup hero, Harry Angel, Commonwealth Cup victor Caravaggio and dual Group 1 winner, Limato.

Don’t delay in securing your spot to Ascot as tickets are selling fast.

FULL LIST OF RUNNERS

Aclaim (IRE), Alphabet (GB), Battaash (IRE), Blue Point (IRE), Brando (GB), Caravaggio (USA), Cougar Mountain (IRE), Daban (IRE), Dabyah (IRE), Danzeno (GB), Don’t Touch (GB), Donjuan Triumphant (IRE), Dream Castle (GB), Fas (IRE), Gifted Master (IRE), Gordon Lord Byron (IRE), Growl (GB), Harry Angel (IRE), Intelligence Cross (USA), Jack Dexter (GB), Kimberella (GB), Librisa Breeze (GB), Limato (IRE), Love Dreams (IRE), Magical Memory (IRE), Marsha (IRE), Mix And Mingle (IRE), Mr Scarlet (GB), Only Mine (IRE), Peace Envoy (FR), Profitable (IRE), Quiet Reflection (GB), Second Thought (IRE), Signs of Blessing (IRE), Son of Rest (GB), Spirit of Valor (USA), Steady Pace (GB), Tasleet (GB), The Tin Man (GB), Tupi (IRE), Washington DC (IRE)