The curtain came down on a memorable flat season at Ascot on Saturday, and we were treated to some of the best action all year. Champions Day presented the finals of the five divisions where the winners were crowned.
It was a great day for John Gosden, with three of his four hot fancies landed their prizes. Stradivarius confirmed himself at the best stayer around with victory in the Long Distance Cup. Despite dropping back to a mile, Roaring Lion further cemented his claims as Cartier Horse of the Year by landing the QEII, before a blistering performance from Cracksman rewarded him with back-to-back Champions Stakes.
The one disappointment for the Newmarket-based trainer was Lah Ti Dar in the Fillies and Mares, with possibly the St Leger race now taking its toll on the 3yo. However, a hat-trick for Gosden, and a double for Dettori meant it was an excellent day for punters.
Elsewhere across the globe, Best Solution won the Caulfield Cup for Pat Cosgrave and Saeed bin Suroor – a man who is certainly in red hot form. Andrew Balding’s Duretto also finished a close fourth. Gordon Elliott has won the English Grand National and the Irish Grand National in 2018, and can now add the American Grand National to his growing trophy cabinet.
Jury Duty - ridden by Robbie Power, led home an Irish 1-2, with Emmet Mullins trained Tornado Watch back in second. David Mullins - the jockey aboard the second, incredibly made the journey back to Ireland and won the opener at Cork on Sunday aboard 4/11f, Court Maid.
Jumping returned to Kempton Park on Sunday, with eye-catching wins from young juvenile Quel Destin and last year’s Mares Novice fourth Verdana Blue.
Put the flat season aside now, as the Jumps are back!