The word “champion” is used rather loosely on the Indian Turf. Anything and everything is called a champion, many times inaccurately. The word’s dictionary meaning is: a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place. Now it follows that a true champion horse is one that has beaten all that vied for supremacy with him (or her). Alas, we don’t always get a Frankel or a Winx and so championship status has to be accorded to the one that overall fits the bill. And there is no better time to hold races that truly seal the deal than end-of-the-season championship days. Hence the advent of the Breeders Cup in the USA, which series has been emulated to some degree by British Champions Day, sponsored by Qipco.

Instituted six years ago, the series sees its latest renewal set for Saturday, October 21^st at Ascot Racecourse. Prize money in the juicy amount of £4,300,000 (about Rs.37 crores) is on offer for a compact card of six events commencing with a Group 2 race. This will be followed by four straight Group 1 contests before the afternoon concludes with the richest mile handicap run in Europe.

Unfortunately, that staple of conversation – the capricious British weather – dominates the agenda. A low pressure system is transiting the British Isles and Ascot is at its periphery. The forecast is for a wet and windy afternoon, with strong gusts of up to 40 mph expected. The going is virtually certain to be soft, if not heavy. The runners that cope best with the testing conditions are the ones that will emerge on top.

With a start time of 1:25 p.m. (5:55 p.m. in India), the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (2 miles) should see a straight fight between arch rivals Big Orange (by Duke Of Marmalade), trained in England by Michael Bell and the Irish invader Order Of St. George (by Galileo), enrolled in that fine academy, the Ballydoyle school of equine excellence run by Principal Aidan O’Brien. The latter runner seems invincible at long trips – he also ran quite well when on the board in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe earlier this month over a course short of his best – and may be expected to corner the Champion Stayer title, although the hard-as-nails Big Orange will not go down without a fight.

Stradivarius (by Sea The Stars) is an improving and consistent three-year-old who should be in the mix under the guidance of Frankie Dettori. With his weight advantage of 8 lbs. he could even surprise the two chief protagonists. Though The Queen’s Dartmouth (by Dubawi) has been supplemented, at a cost of £18,000, bookmakers think little of his chances and he is at 12 to 1.

Next up at 2 p.m. (6:30 p.m. IST) is the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (6 fur.) and the 13-strong field boasts all the usual suspects from amongst the current leading sprinters in Europe, barring Battaash and Blue Point. Once again on the face of it this ought to be a clash between hot favourite Harry Angel (by Dark Angel) and the reviving Caravaggio (by Scat Daddy), both three-year-olds. The former was acquired by Godolphin earlier this year, who wisely chose to leave him with trainer Clive Cox, and have been rewarded with a stronger  speedster of the highest class. Caravaggio beat Harry Angel in the Commonwealth Cup on this track back in June but then saw the tables turned in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket. This is the third leg of their rivalry.

A host of other prominent sprinters lie in wait and this cohort includes Quiet Reflection (by Showcasing), Brando (by Pivotal), The Tin Man (by Equiano), Donjuan Triumphant (by Dream Ahead), Tasleet (by Showcasing) and Librisa Breeze (by Mount Nelson), not to mention Caravaggio’s stablemate, Washington D.C. (by Zoffany). Whoever trips the camera first will be deserving of the appellation: Champion Sprinter.

The Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2:40 p.m. local, 7:10 p.m. IST) over 12 furlongs was never in the sniper sights of Enable, but Winter was being considered for it before a change of plans due to the latter not being 100% after her sorry effort in the “Arc”. The latter’s stablemate Hydrangea (by Galileo) represents Ballydoyle instead. It took the latter four failed attempts before getting her nose in front of Winter, and here she should go close. Another member of the same 2014 crop from which all those named so far hail is Coronet (by Dubawi), whose regular rider Frankie Dettori will be astride her older stablemate Journey (by Dubawi) instead. That has made the last-named a lukewarm favourite at 11 to 4.

Should a sophomore score – there are four in the ten-horse field – she will not have the opportunity to be regarded as the Champion Three-year-old Filly, that accolade having already been ensnared by Enable who is too far clear in the ratings to be toppled. Of course if an older runner triumphs, she could justifiably lay claims to the title of Champion Older Filly or Mare.

This season Ribchester (by Iffraaj) has matured into one of the leading older milers anywhere in the world and is probably the most talented runner in the one-mile Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Qipco. It may be recalled that he had finished a close second in the same event in 2016, beaten just half a length by Minding. Despite his standing, the connections of 14 others have chosen to tackle him here in the 3:15 p.m. contest and the list includes some top-notchers.

After appearing to shape as one of the great milers of all time with a pair of Guineas victories to kick off the season, Churchill (by Galileo) has lost his way, reacting adversely to attempts to extend his range to 10 furlongs. Back at his best trip, he could oblige. Also in fighting mood are the in-form Beat The Bank (by Paco Boy), Al Wukair (by Dream Ahead) and the horse that handed Ribchester his only European defeat of the year, namely Here Comes When (by Danehill Dancer), who will relish the going.

Finally comes the piece de resistance, the Qipco Champion Stakes (10 fur.) at 3:50 p.m. (8:20 p.m. in India), for which ten have been declared. There is keen interest in whether Frankel – a previous winner of this race, as was his full-brother Noble Mission – can tick off the “sire of a Group 1 winner in Europe” box via the medium of his talented son, Cracksman. With a little more experience, the latter might have won the Investec Derby and his trainer feels he would have placed in the “Arc”. Frankie Dettori rides the exciting colt who is however dropping down in distance, following a pair of wins at the Classic trip of a mile and a half, and faces older horses for the first time.

Slightly higher rated is Barney Roy (by Excelebration), who has been schooled at home by Richard Hannon, Jr., to settle better. His trainer observed that “He’ll go to Ascot in great nick having had a break. He’s fresh, he’s a very exciting horse. Ride him a little bit differently and anything can happen”. At 4 to 1 he provides better value than the favourite. Also in the line-up is the evergreen Ballydoyle hope, Highland Reel (by Galileo) who will however be missing his preferred firm ground. French Derby winner Brametot (by Rajsaman) and the consistent Poet’s Word (by Poet’s Voice) are others in with a chance.

It should be a crackerjack of an afternoon’s racing and hopefully these words will help crack the puzzle!