Can Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn bounce back from King George flop?

Saturday: 2.40 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

John Gosden has won this race twice in the last six years and he and son Thady saddle two strong contenders with the Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn and Park Hill winner Mimikyu.

The Gosdens fit both with a hood and have enjoyed remarkable success with that headgear. Journey wore a hood when she won this race for the stable six years ago and adding the aid did the trick for her sister Mimikyu as she recorded a career best at Doncaster.

That took the Gosden stable’s record with runners in a first-time hood to 33-119 (28 per cent) since 2011 and a £1 bet on all of those runners would have yielded a healthy profit of £94.90.

That is evidently a big positive for Emily Upjohn, who definitely pulled too hard and tailed off in the King George over course and distance in July. She returns from an 84-day absence.

In a normal year, the form of her previous second at Epsom would almost certainly set the standard on Racing Post Ratings, but that is not the case this season. Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant takes that honour courtesy of the 122 she recorded at Flemington last year.

Verry Elleegant has yet to recapture her best Australian form since joining Francis-Henri Graffard’s yard in France, but the stable has unfinished business in this race. Graffard had Bateel finish second to Hydrangea in 2017 and is double-handed as he saddles Sweet Lady too.

Last year’s winner Eshaada is back for another crack at the race, but this contest looks much stronger than the one she won 12 months ago. She might struggle in a field that also includes Eternal Pearl and Sea La Rosa, who have won seven in a row between them.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

'The King George was a strange race'

Emily Upjohn bids to bounce back after finishing last of six in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the track in July.

The three-year-old, who will be joined in the line-up by stablemate Mimikyu, finished second in the Oaks but missed the Irish equivalent due to travel complications before her most recent start at Ascot.

Emily Upjohn: runner-up in the Oaks this year behind Tuesday (right)Credit: Edward Whitaker

"Emily Upjohn last ran in the King George, which was a strange race as they went hard early," said joint-trainer John Gosden. "She's had a holiday since then and has pleased at home. The plan is for her to stay in training next year.

"We decided after the Park Hill to come here with Mimikyu. She won that in great style and goes to Ascot in good shape so there's no reason why she can't run well again."

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Eshaada
She won this race last year and is in great form. She's run some good races in defeat this year without winning. She may not have quite got home over a mile and six furlongs at Doncaster last time, but the mile and a half at Ascot is her optimum conditions. The bit of ease in the ground will suit her. It's a very deep race this year with lots of nice fillies in there but she's primed to run very well.

Tom Marquand, rider of Sea La Rosa
She's backing up after a big performance in France two weeks ago but she looks in good order at home. The ground shouldn't be a problem, nor the trip as she's coming back in distance but has some Group 2 form at a mile and a half. She should be really competitive.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Eternal Pearl
She keeps improving but we wanted to give her time to develop before dipping our toe in at the top level. She's got a lovely profile and is going there with the best chance to put herself up on the top table. She ran on soft at Goodwood and we're relaxed in terms of the ground. She has a bit to find but we don't know where her ceiling is.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Stay Alert
She's done really well. It's another step up in class over a slightly further trip but she deserves her chance. She'll be better next year.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Rosscarbery
It's a good competitive race but she's in very good order, she's travelled over well and we're looking forward to running her and seeing how she gets on.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Emily Dickinson
She came out of Longchamp well and is in good shape. She wasn't beaten far in that. She won't mind the ground and we're hoping for a good run from her.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

Champions Day previews:

1.25 Ascot: Can Trueshan recapture his best in a stellar running of the Long Distance Cup?

2.00 Ascot: 'He’s the one they’ve got to beat' - Appleby confident as top sprinters clash

3.20 Ascot: 'The small field makes it trappier' - John Gosden on hot QEII favourite Inspiral

4.00 Ascot: Will it be 11 and out or can anyone spoil 'incredible' Baaeed's retirement party?

4.40 Ascot: 'He leads Baaeed every day'- who has had the ideal Balmoral prep?

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