Expert view: Pat Smullen shares his insight on riding Ascot's inner Flat track

Pat Smullen is in a better position than most to comment on Ascot's decision to switch three of the races on Champions Day to the inner hurdles course, given he trialled the track along with Ryan Moore in 2016.

The former jockey helped Ascot when a contingency plan was drawn up to ensure racing always takes place under the best possible underfoot conditions on Champions Day.

Smullen said: "It rode extremely well when I rode it with Ryan. In my eyes, it was definitely the right thing to do. It is common sense. It will give the good horses who are running a much sounder surface to run on. There will be more body to the surface as it has not been watered through the summer and it will not cut up as badly as the outside track would have.

"When myself and Ryan rode on it we did not break any records as the ground was firm at the time but, on softer ground, it will improve the surface. Both myself and Ryan thought it rode very, very well at the time."

Smullen is looking forward to watching the action unfold on Saturday and hopes Ascot's decision to use the hurdles track will ensure we see Stradivarius, while also putting up Tarnawa as an each-way play in the Champion Fillies And Mares race.

"Stradivarius is a true champion and, now that the race has been moved to the inside track on better ground, I really hope he shows up. I would be very hopeful of Tarnawa running a big race too. She has improved all year and her style of racing will suit the inside track," Smullen added.

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