Timeform UK SmartPlays / Timeform / 15 October 2011 /

Champions Day is finally upon us and the Timeform Free Form team head to Ascot to provide three SmartPlays...

Deacon Blues has looked much like a high-class sprinter for the large part of this season and he can confirm that impression by landing what admittedly looks a hot inaugural running of the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes (14:25). Deacon Blues has made rapid progress this year, with an impressive win in the Wokingham Handicap quickly followed by Group 3 routs in both the Hackwood Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes. Connections then tried the four-year-old over five furlongs for the very first time and were rewarded with an emphatic victory in the International Trophy at Newbury, Deacon Blues taking a keen early hold under Frankie Dettori before cruising into contention on the bridle and quickening clear in the final stages to leave a smart field toiling. With important Ascot course-and-distance form firmly under his belt, Deacon Blues rates as the bet of the day.

In the following race, Roger Varian's Ferdoos should be capable of making a winning return having been kept off the course since May with a setback. Any concern related to her absence appears to be factored into her price as, had the setback not occurred, then Ferdoos would surely have been entered at much shorter odds than those currently available. Her defeat of Vita Nova on just her fourth start is just about the best form on offer and she looks as though she could develop into a high-class performer. Ferdoos is not without her quirks, however, having veered violently under pressure on her latest two outings, with the mistake last time nearly costing her the race, but the fact she still managed to overhaul Vita Nova emphasises her ability and she can record a repeat success over that rival this afternoon.

So You Think hasn't taken all before him since coming to Europe in the way he promised, but he put up an encouraging display under adverse circumstances when fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe just under two weeks ago and can get his season back on track with a win in the Champion Stakes (16:10). Aidan O'Brien's ex-Australian won the Eclipse Stakes and the Irish Champion earlier this season, when allowed to race prominently, but this was not an option in France with Seamie Heffernan forced to deploy patient tactics from a wide draw. So You Think was stepped up in trip to a mile and a half on that occasion and proved to the remaining doubters that stamina was not an issue, but he should prove a better proposition in a strongly-run contest over ten furlongs. Arc runners traditionally have a poor record in the Champion Stakes, but So You Think, who has Ryan Moore back in the saddle, takes his races extremely well and is capable of overcoming the quick turnaround.

Timeform SmartPlays
all at Ascot
Back Deacon Blues @ [3.75] in the 14:25
Back Ferdoos @ [4.8] in the 15:00
Back So You Think @ [3.75] in the 16:10

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