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Trainer views and key questions to help you find the Champions Sprint winner

Advertise: has already won two Group 1s this season
Advertise: has already won two Group 1s this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

1.35 Ascot
Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV4/SKY

How will ground affect Advertise?

Advertise has developed into a top-class sprinter since failing to get home over Newmarket’s mile in the 2,000 Guineas in May.

His form in three Group 1 sprints – two wins (Commonwealth Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest) and a second (July Cup) – provides the best on offer.

However, most of his performances have been recorded under top-of-the-ground conditions and he faces an entirely different test this time, with heavy ground sure to prevail.

Trainer Martyn Meade is optimistic the ground won’t compromise his stable star’s chance. “He does cope with soft ground at home,” he said.

“I suppose it all depends on how extreme it is, but luckily we’re in the first race of the day – that’s a big plus. I’m fairly optimistic he’ll be okay on the ground.”

Meade reports Advertise has done very well for a break since his win in France in August. “He has strengthened up over the last few months,” he said.

Martyn Meade: “He has strengthened up over the last few months'
Martyn Meade: “He has strengthened up over the last few months'Credit: Edward Whitaker

“It was a shame he missed Haydock – he wasn’t quite 100 per cent at the time and I was probably being over cautious – but it could turn out to be a bit of a blessing.

“He looks the one to beat. He’s in fantastic form.”

Can Hello Youmzain reverse Royal Ascot form with Advertise?

Hello Youmzain has been trained with two races firmly in mind since finishing an excellent third to Advertise in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

Part one of the plan paid off when he made all to beat The Tin Man by half a length in the Haydock Sprint Cup last month, and now it’s time for part two.

Hello Youmzain looked destined for sprint stardom when thrashing the long odds-on Calyx by three and a quarter lengths in Haydock’s Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes this spring, and he goes to Ascot still relatively unexposed after just seven career starts.

Hello Youmzain: 'He's in great form'
Hello Youmzain: 'He's in great form'Credit: Edward Whitaker

He bounded through the soft going at Haydock, and there is no reason why he cannot take another step forward on Saturday.

Trainer Kevin Ryan said: “Hello Youmzain is in great form. He’s come out of his last race really well.”

Will sprinting bring out best in One Master?

One Master’s last four victories have all been achieved at 7f, but there is a school of thought that she will be ideally suited by Ascot’s stiff 6f on very testing ground.

A confirmed mudlark, she landed the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp this month on very soft terrain, and clearly comes into this race in top shape.

She has a length and three-quarters to make up on Advertise judged on their runs in Deauville’s Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in August, but connections are hopeful she can turn the form round with underfoot conditions now much more in her favour.

Trainer William Haggas said: “We’re back in distance and I think the ground is key to her. Hopefully, she will be able to keep up and then use her stamina at the end.

“I don’t think she’s without hope at all. Her record on slow ground is good and she seems in good form, although you never quite know when you get to this stage of the season.”

What they say

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Brando
He takes the same route every year and has run well in this race before. He’s in good form.

Roger Varian, trainer of Cape Byron
We've had this race in mind for Cape Byron for some time and he won well on the soft at the track last time, although heavy ground is an unknown. He goes there in top shape.


KEY STAT
Three of the last seven renewals have been won by Irish-trained runners.


Andrew Balding, trainer of Donjuan Triumphant
He ran very well in the race last year and always comes good in the autumn. I’m hoping for a place.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Sands Of Mali
He’s back to defend his crown and we’re very happy with him going into the race. It’s been a disappointing season for him, but he had a little problem after Ascot and wasn’t moving quite right. He’s moving great again now and I hope he’s going to show his true colours.

James Fanshawe, trainer of The Tin Man
He’s in good form at home and looks great. He’s won on heavy ground before and I’m hopeful he can handle the conditions on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of So Perfect
Her last two runs have been two big runs, in the Flying Five at the Curragh and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp. She’s handled ease in the ground the last twice and she has form over six furlongs as well. She seems to be in good form.


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