Epsom Oaks 1-2-3 set for re-match in QIPCO Fillies & Mares Stakes

Talent leads home The Lark (left) and Secret Gesture (middle) in the Investec Oaks at Epsom – will she be able to uphold the placings on Champions Day? Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

There is a third Group 1 race on British Champions Day this year with the upgrading of the £500,000 QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes, now the most valuable all-aged fillies and mares race in Europe.

The 18 remaining engaged include the one-two from  this year’s Investec Oaks, the Ralph Beckett-trained Talent and Secret Gesture, South African Group 1 winning star Igugu, who made a good comeback over a mile at Newmarket last week, and German Group 1 wnners, Nymphea and Temida.

Beckett said of his Investec Oaks winner and Ladbrokes St Leger runner-up: "I was delighted with Talent’s run in the St Leger and the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes is the obvious place to take her to end her year – the plan is that she will stay in training.

"Talent is better with some juice in the ground and she is more likely to get that at Ascot than anywhere else.

"I think Ascot will suit her well and I am not sure that the drop back in trip will make much difference to her. As she gets older I think that she will be less dependent on having to be dropped out and ridden from behind.

"The QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes is a possibility for Secret Gesture but she is likely to run in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp this Sunday. After that we’ll see….”

Five French-trained fillies and mares remain engaged, including Dalkala, who defeated the subsequent Group 1 winner, Ambivalent, who also remains engaged, in the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York in May.

Lady Cecil’s highly regarded Hot Snap, for whom this will be a first try at a mile and a half, a distance she looks to be crying out for on the evidence of her last two starts, has stood her ground along with Michael Bell’s Group 2 DFS Park Stakes winner, The Lark. 

Tickets are continuing to sell strongly with a Premier sell-out now close. Premier tickets are priced at £55 and Grandstand admission is £30.

You can book via the Ascot website or call 0844 346 3000. Under 18’s accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

The full list of entries for the QIPCO Fillies & Mares Stakes:

Ambivalent, Dalkala, Emirates Queen, Galvaun, Igugu, Nymphea, Pirika, Seal of Approval, Temida, Yellow And Green, Ferevia, Hot Snap, Pomology, Rock Choir, Secret Gesture, Talent, The Lark and Waila.