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

Saturday: 2.00 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

The trends have it that Creative Force, who is defending champion and likely favourite for the Champions Sprint Stakes, has it all to do from stall 13.

Since the Diadem Stakes was repurposed as this race in 2011, only one winner has broken from a higher stall and that was Deacon Blues on the inaugural British Champions Day.

The reality is a little kinder. The stalls will be on the far side, but with a field of 18 being just two off the maximum, there is still a good chance of a sizeable group forming on the near rail.

Perhaps even better, the strongest pace angle among the high numbers, Platinum Jubilee winner Naval Crown in 16, is a stablemate of Creative Force.

The nearest likely front-runner to the far side, Brad The Brief, is in stall five and the purest blaster, Go Bears Go, is more or less plumb centre in nine. Whether there is one central group or the field splits this year, Creative Force seems unlikely to be marooned.

Most of the big players are drawn middle or high. Rohaan, whose only defeat at Ascot came in this race last year, is in six with Garrus and Art Power in the next two stalls.

They are both interesting. Garrus is an improved horse this year and that does not seem to have been factored into his price, while Art Power has, for once in a six-furlong Group 1, been handed a kind draw and arrives after a career-best run at the Curragh.

When Creative Force won this race last year, he was a reformed seven-furlong horse with soft ground form and there are two with similar profiles dropping into this race, from similar high draws to the favourite.

Kinross won the Foret last time at Longchamp, which was probably his big day, but on form he needs to be feared. Tenebrism won the Prix Jean Prat in July and this will be her first run over sprint trips since winning last year's Cheveley Park Stakes.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'It’s Art Power's big chance'

Having been burdened with unsuitable draws for most of the last two seasons, Art Power finally gets a middle berth in stall eight, which connections feel sure will suit him.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to the grey’s owners, King Power Racing, said: “It’s his big chance. For about the first time in his last ten starts he’s not drawn on the flank, and he’s got his ground.”

Art Power, who enjoyed a confidence-boosting success in lesser company at the Curragh last time, finished fourth in this race last season – from stall 20 – and is fresher than most after a light campaign.

“He’ll be there or thereabouts,” Donald predicted. “He’s in good form.”

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Creative Force and Naval Crown
There was only a neck between them at Royal Ascot, and both ran creditable races in the July Cup. The idea was always to give Creative Force a break afterwards and wait for the autumn ground. We know that Creative Force brings more to the table with some ease in the ground and, for me, he’s the favourite they’ve all got to beat.

David Probert, rider of King’s Lynn
He is back up to six furlongs and it’s something I think he needs because he couldn't get himself into gear last time. He loves it around Ascot and he’ll give a good account.

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
His record at Ascot is very good – he loves it there. The horse is in top form. I think the draw is okay and the ground suits. He’s a remarkable horse. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Everything needs to go right, but hopefully it will.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Perfect Power
He’s got a good chance. He’s fresher than lots of them and the ground will suit. The ground makes a big difference to him. He’s well drawn in the middle with pace on either side. I personally think Rohaan is the main danger.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Vadream
She is good and last time didn’t go to plan. I thought she hit the front way too early and gave herself no chance. You can put a line through that run. I genuinely believe that she can finish in the first five or six if things go the right way because she loves Ascot and soft ground.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Castle Star
He's in good shape and I'm very happy with him. The ground, the track and the trip should all suit so I'm hoping for the best. He'll be happy back over six.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Tenebrism
She's in very good form and we always thought she would be very happy back over 6f. It was very soft ground in France for the Foret and 7f on that sort of ground probably caught her out. She seems very well.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Champions Day previews:

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

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

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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