THE long-anticipated clash between star milers Solow and Gleneagles is set to take place on Britain’s richest raceday, the £4,264,385 QIPCO British Champions Day, at Ascot this Saturday.
The duel between Solow and Gleneagles, which was first hoped for back in July in the Qatar Sussex Stakes only for Gleneagles to be scratched, could go ahead as both are among the 12 entries remaining for the Group One 1 £1.1 million Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (2.30pm) run over Ascot’s straight mile.
Other top contenders include Group Two 2 Celebration Mile winner at Goodwood, Kodi Bear, plus the Group 1 One-winning juvenile, Elm Park, who will drop back in trip having run in the Investec Derby over a mile and a half in June. Andre Fabre’s yard have also entered a pair of multiple Group One 1 scorers – Esoterique and Territories.
All eyes will also be on one of Europe’s top-rated sprinters, Muhaarar, while a tantalising clash is expected between classic winners, Covert Love and Simple Verse, in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes.
In all, the card features four consecutive Group One 1 races – the first time such quality has been on offer at a British meeting – before drawing to a close at 3.45pm with the second running of Europe’s richest mile handicap, the £250,000 Balmoral Handicap.
Sheikh Fahad Al Thani of sponsors QIPCO said: “We are very proud that QIPCO British Champions Day has cemented itself as one of the leading race days of the year in the European and World calendars. We are very happy to see international participation too.”
The action kicks off at 12.45pm with the Group Two 2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup and gates on the day open at 10.30am.
Premier Enclosure tickets have sold out but Grandstand tickets are still available for £30, with a small number of free student tickets also available.
The unveiling of the five-day entries was due to be finalised at Newmarket yesterday (Tuesday) after the News had gone to press.
l SILVESTRE De Sousa will be crowned Champion Flat Jockey for the first time in his career in the parade ring at Ascot this Saturday at 12.15pm
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