Best Weekend Racing Bets: Four to back on Champions Day including 50/1 and 20/1 Balmoral pair

Saturday, Ascot, 14:05, Qatar British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Tip: Back Johanna Walsh @ 8/19.00

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Johanna Walsh (Ire)

• J: D. B. McMonagle
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 3-31216

Joseph O'Brien's fillies and mares have enjoyed a storming campaign and any number of options from his stable could have been viable contenders here. While Kalpana will prove a major source of Andrew Balding's title chance, Johanna Walsh can hopefully make it a big result for the O'Brien clan.

For an Irish Classic winner and three-year-old in receipt of weight, she just looks too big at 8/19.00.

Her improvement has been rapid and the second in the Ribblesdale at the Royal Ascot meeting was laced with significant improvement.

It was a messy affair too with a loose horse and Johanna Walsh showed her inexperience at the end. But the strong early pace and closing sectionals highlighted a well run affair and strong form. To be nailed by Earth Shot that day was tough.

None the worse for wear, she came out to land the Irish Oaks, showing improved form again with a 4L hammering of Inis Mor, and was basically on the bridle two out.

I attribute her disappointment in the Yorkshire Oaks to the softer conditions as her three best career runs have all been on good and good to firm.

Saturday, Ascot, 14:40, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Tip: Back Rayif @ 7/24.50

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Rayif (Ire)

• J:
• T: Francis-Henri Graffard, France
• F: 113-151

From an Irish Classic winner to a French one and Rayif, the Poulains hero from earlier this season, looks a standout here.

A 7/24.50 price is more than tempting and another for the lawman Francis Henri-Graffard.

With only three starts this year his campaign has been far from arduous and he was last seen beating Zeus Olympios in the Prix Jacques Le Marois - his second Group 1 win in the trio of outings.

His French 2000 Guineas victory highlighted his high cruising speed as he was covered up on the inside before rattling home.

Connections were quite doubtful it seemed about stamina and the mile looks the limit of his staying capabilities, which is unlike most of the stout families of the late Aga Khan.

With a weight concession too and ground he will appreciate, he looks a class act and will suit the Ascot right-handed layout.

Saturday, Ascot 16:35, Balmoral Handicap Tip 1: Back Jagged Edge EW four places @ 20/121.00

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Jagged Edge (Ire)

• J:
• T: Stephen Thorne, Ireland
• F: 10-103013

Avoiding the Champions Sprint and Long Distance races were quite an easy call as I like neither division and, if there is going to be a potential shock, the closing Balmoral Handicap is the one. I am taking a big swing here.

Contender number one is Jagged Edge, a horse I liked when he got up to win at Killarney on good ground earlier this summer.

His subsequent effort in a small field race at Listowel was a fair run behind a 104-rated winner and moving back into a handicap with a strong pace hopefully will bring out the best.

He is tough and handles any going and a kind draw would be perfect.

Saturday, Ascot 16:35, Balmoral Handicap Tip 2: Back Room Service EW four places @ 50/151.00

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Room Service (Ire)

• J:
• T: Jamie Osborne
• F: 1/42875-10

At an even bigger price, the 50/151.00 for Room Service has drawn me in. Trainer Jamie Osborne has another chance with Ascot specialist Hickory but Room Service appeals to me because he won at Newcastle over 7f earlier in the year with a noteworthy staying effort.

He ran on from a poor position out the back and recorded 11.67 and 12.59 seconds at 6f and 7f. It was his first run since October 2025 and there was perhaps an element of the bounce in his woeful run next time at Sandown.

Running fresh, and with some interesting old form with previous trainer Kevin Ryan when campaigned over shorter and in Group company. There may be more to come from his mark and certainly the trip for which he is unexposed. But, again, the draw needs to be a good one.

Alan Dudman's notable antepost winners in 2026

January: The Doyen Chief Kempton WON 7/2
Vincenzo, Ascot, WON 3/1
Scorsese, Cheltenham PLACED 12/1
February: Kalium, Ascot, PLACED 12/1
Montregard, Ascot, WON 6/1
Grand Geste, Haydock, EW WON 12/1
Lookaway, Kempton, EW WON 16/1
March: Pina Sonata, Kempton, WON 8/1
April: Favour And Fortune, Aintree, PLACED 14/1
Konfusion, Aintree, PLACED 12/1
Whip Cracker, Newbury, PLACED 10/1
Sarab Star, Haydock, PLACED 10/1
President Scottie, Perth, PLACED 12/1
May/June: Washington Heights, WON 5/1
Thundering On, Epsom, WON 11/2
July: Team Player PLACED 16/1
August: Calendar Girl EW WON 14/1
September: Fondo Blanco EW PLACED 16/1
Pellitory EW WON 40/1
October: Sea Lantern EW PLACED 10/1

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