Side Glance out to win a big one

Side Glance, who sports the colours of Qatar Bloodstock, a subsidiary of British Champions Series sponsors QIPCO, goes to post at Royal Ascot where he put up a fine effort to finish third to Frankel. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Eleven horses have been declared for Friday’s Nayef Joel Stakes in the QIPCO British Champions Series Mile category, with the ultra-consistent Side Glance, who is owned by the Series sponsor QIPCO, looking to win a big prize at last. 

Run on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse over the same course and distance as the QIPCO 2000 and 1000 Guineas back in May, this is the last Series race before QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday 20 October.

It looks being a very closely matched affair with five of the 11 runners rated within two pounds of each other and most of the rest only a few pounds lower.

Most Improved is the highest-rated horse following his victory in an earlier QIPCO British Champions Series Mile race, the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but he has to carry a four pound penalty for that success which will make life much tougher for him here.

He also disappointed when finishing last behind Excelebration in the Prix Jacques Le Marois in France in August and now has something to prove, but his jockey, Kieren Fallon, is very optimistic.

Writing in his exclusive column in the Racing Post Weekend, he said: "Brian Meehan’s colt has only raced once since that great day at the Royal meeting, when carved up badly in France, and that run should be completely ignored when going through the form in this race.

"He is a proven Group One performer, for which he carries a penalty, but this is a very smart miler and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t win.

"I don’t expect him to hack up but he should win as he felt as good as ever when I last sat on him."

Best in at the weights is the next highest-rated horse, Side Glance, who ran the race of his life when third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, albeit over 11 lengths behind Frankel.

The Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old was only a neck behind Excelebration that day though and that makes him the one they all have to beat, especially as he is usually very consistent.

Fanunalter ran a great race to win the Summer Mile at Ascot in July which gives him a big shout in this, but consistency is not one of his strong suits.

Trumpet Major seems to love the Rowley Mile and will surely relish his return to the Home of Racing.

He hacked up in the Craven Stakes over course and distance in April and was then a really good fourth to Camelot in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas for trainer Richard Hannon.

Joviality, Premio Loco and Penitent all have the form and ratings to go close at their best, while Tazahum and Sovereign Debt are not far behind.

Stipulate, representing Frankel’s connections, has a bit to find if he is to win, but he ran out an impressive winner on his only previous appearance on the Rowley Mile.

It looks wide open and promises to be a very exciting race.

For the full race details and runners, CLICK HERE.