The popular Addeybb features among Classic-winning jockey Tom Marquand's full book of rides on British Champions Day at Ascot and he's been talking Oli Bell through their chances.
WATCH: Tom Marquand discusses his Champions Day hopes with Oli Bell...
Monica Sheriff – QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup
Her last couple of runs have been a bit below par, I thought she had a valid excuse with the ground at Doncaster though as her best form had all come with cut in it. She went to France and I thought she’d run a big race but she was quite disappointing.
I haven’t spoken to the jockey who rode her out there but I suspect something must have been amiss.
If you look at her best form from last year and her run in the Ebor on her reintroduction, you’d like to think that if the ground came up extremely soft that she’d run a nice race as she’ll stay all day.
Starman – QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes
He’s an extremely exciting horse and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. He beat Dakota Gold who has won twice again since. He’s obviously a good yardstick so if you can get past him despite being a bit green still, you’d like to think you’ve got a lot to work with.
He’s jumping into a Group 1 and it’s not an easy task but it’s something to look forward to as we don’t know where his ceiling is.
One of the noticeable things on the York run was the start – on his first couple of runs he was one of the quickest out of the gates, then you go to York against seasoned sprinters and he was slowly out of the gates.
He’s probably not going to know what’s hit him in the first couple of furlongs on Saturday but at Ascot, in theory anyway, it gives him plenty of time to get level, get moving forward and finish off.
He’s a big, strong horse and he’ll have come forward from York again. Ed (Walker, trainer) has been happy with him since and everything he’s shown on the track has suggested he’s going to be top class.
Thundering Nights – QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
She was third to Cayenne Pepper at the Curragh and things didn’t look like they quite went to plan that day.
This will be her first try at the trip and the way she’s been shaping it looks like it might be right up her street.
Veracious – Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
I’m really looking forward to riding her for Cheveley Park and Sir Michael Stoute.
The QEII is a pretty tough race and she does need to bounce back from the last run. Things didn’t quite go to plan for her at Newmarket and she felt great when I got to sit on her yesterday.
She’s a typical five-year-old mare and knows exactly what’s going on – she’ll probably tell me how to ride her at Ascot rather than the other way around!
Addeybb – QIPCO Champion Stakes
He’s a legend, regardless of Group 1s or not, he was a dude beforehand, but turned up in Australia, whacked in two Group 1s then put on weight when he got back. It just shows you what sort of horse he is.
He had his prep run the other week at Ayr and he gave a 7lb penalty to a Group 1 winner which was some feat. We were all very happy with him and while he didn’t go away and win on the bridle, Addeybb will never go and do that. You can put in whatever race you want, he wouldn’t win on the bridle.
But that’s why he’s had the longevity and I think he’s my best ride on the day. As long as there’s ease in it (the ground), hopefully he can put his best foot forward.
Magical is the danger – she beat him last year and she is a really tough mare. There are a lot of top-level performers in there in truth, but that’s what Champions Day is for.
Njord – Balmoral Handicap
Jessie (Harrington, trainer) doesn’t send them over for no reason and I’m really looking forward to riding for her again in the Balmoral.
I’ve not had winners for her over here but she’s sent over a few big rides for me including One Voice who was second in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
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