Benbatl and Advertise backed for top honours on Champions Day

Benbatl, officially rated 6lb superior to his closest rival in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, has been backed to make his class tell as the start of Qipco British Champions Day creeps closer.

With no rain since 6pm on Friday and a dry day forecast, punters appear to be putting their faith in the globetrotter handling conditions, which are officially described as heavy on the straight track.

Such has been the weight of support for Godolphin's runner, he would be the biggest individual loser on the day for Paddy Power should he score a first Group 1 success in Britain in the £1.1 million contest.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "The biggest loser of the day for us is Benbatl, with punters coming in for him after his impressive win at Newmarket last time. Possibly the reason is that the ground is not quite as bad as was feared earlier in the week."

Benbatl is a 6-1 chance (from 7-1) with the bookmaker, with ante-post favourite The Revenant weak at the head of the market.

Frankie Dettori has been the man causing bookmakers most anguish in the build-up to Champions Day and his mounts are proving popular according to Binfield, although star stayer Stradivarius is easy to back in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

"Kew Gardens at 3-1 is stronger than Stradivarius, but Advertise has been backed in the first and if he goes in we'll start getting slightly worried, as the Frankie horses are proving quite popular this morning," he added.

Advertise, the mount of Dettori in the opening Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, will be the worst result for Ladbrokes, who have cut the Commonwealth Cup winner to 7-2 (from 9-2).

"Today we've been dreading Frankie fever and already the single worst result of the day is Advertise in the opener," said Ladbrokes spokeswoman Nicola McGeady. "If he wins it’ll get the ball rolling on the Dettori multis, so we hope the likes of Hello Youmzain can do us a big favour."

In the same race, confirmed soft-ground lovers Sands Of Mali and One Master have been backed. The going remains heavy on the straight course and good to soft, soft in places on the inner Flat course.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "We've been dry since 6pm yesterday and are forecast a generally dry day, with the outside chance of a shower.

"The runners tend to congregate over the far side on the straight course at this meeting and I would be surprised if they did not do the same again.

"There's a bit of a breeze, which is due to keep picking up, but the times are going to be slow."

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