Course plans put in place for QIPCO British Champions Day

Ahead of entries closing for Britain’s richest raceday, QIPCO British Champions Day (21^st October) on Tuesday 8^th August, Ascot racecourse and British Champions Series have set out their intention for all of the day’s round-course races to be run on the usual outer flat course, as in the previous six years.

The inner flat course will be retained as a contingency should ‘heavy’ appear in the going description or is anticipated to do so at the 72 hour stage and would result in the three round course races on the day, the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup; the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes and the QIPCO Champion Stakes being run on this course. Last year a successful familiarisation exercise involving Ryan Moore and Pat Smullen took place on the inner flat course to confirm its suitability for flat racing.

The official going for QIPCO British Champions Day over the last two years has been good to soft (2015) and good (2016). Last year, the QIPCO Champion Stakes was rated the best race in Great Britain and was ranked fifth overall in the world. It was won last year by Europe’s top rated horse, Almanzor.