"If you were to sit down with a blank piece of paper to design an ideal finale for the 2025 Flat season, the result would probably be a race with a striking resemblance to Saturday's Champion Stakes at Ascot. It will be run over a mile-and-a-quarter, an ideal test for speed and stamina, and on good ground, with three of the world's top-10 racehorses on ratings going head-to-head."
"The double-figure field also includes some very live dark horses that could spring a surprise, and a runner apiece for Ireland, Britain and France, European racing's leading nations, among the three main contenders. The strength and depth of the competition is so high that punters who successfully unravel the puzzle can expect at least a 180% return on their stake, in the space of a couple of minutes."
"There is even a little needle to add further spice, after Aidan O'Brien, the trainer of Delacroix, suggested to a media briefing on Thursday that John Gosden, who trains Ombudsman, the favourite, can whinge a little bit after races, whether he wins or he loses. His remark was a response to a suggestion by Gosden earlier in the season that he had opted against sending Ombudsman to face Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown because his colt would"
An ideal 2025 Flat-season finale is shaping up as a mile-and-a-quarter Champion Stakes at Ascot on good ground, testing both speed and stamina. Three of the world's top-10 rated horses face one another among a double-figure field that includes several live dark horses. The main contenders include representatives from Ireland, Britain and France, reflecting European racing strength. Successful bettors could expect at least a 180% return. Aidan O'Brien provoked extra spice by suggesting John Gosden can whinge after races, replying to Gosden's earlier comments about avoiding a Leopardstown clash. Ombudsman typically races off the pace. Godolphin and Coolmore have been fierce international rivals for a quarter-century.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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