Balmoral Handicap (sponsored By Qipco)
(British Champions Series)
Handicap, Ascot 16:30
£200,000 added,
3yo plus, 1m, Class 2   
Saturday 16th October 2021

FormRatings

1 Aldaary 7/2
2 Symbolize 40/1
3 Magical Morning 66/1
4 Nugget 9/1
20 ran Distances: 1½l, 1l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 42.64s (slow by 3.74s)

Aldaary capped a fantastic QIPCO British Champions Day for Jim Crowley and Shadwell when winning the final race of a pulsating afternoon of action.
 
The combination was striking for the third time on the card, registering a 228/1 treble, while trainer William Haggas was enjoying a double following Baaeed’s scintillating victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
 
In this contest over the straight mile, Aldaary was always placed handily on the far side of the course, before quickening away to win with authority. Symbolize, who had chased home the winner at the course two weeks ago, did so again, beaten a length and a half. Magical Morning was a length behind in third, with Nugget taking fourth.
 
Crowley said: “It has been fantastic. Obviously, I came in today with some lovely rides, but it’s a tough place to ride winners. For me it was one of the best day’s racing that I’ve seen, let alone to have been a part of. There were fantastic horses running today and so nice to have crowds back, it was a big plus. 
 
“I’m sure Sheikh Hamdan is looking down. It’s so sad that he can’t be here because he would absolutely have been buzzing today. He loves Ascot. Hopefully his daughter, Sheikha Hissa, is watching and she will be over the moon. 
 
“Aldaary is very tough. He won here at the last meeting. Those handicaps are not easy to win and William has done a great job with him. Hopefully he can make him into a Pattern horse next year. I think he absolutely loves that ground, that’s key. It’s a big plus this time of year. It’s been a great day, you have to savour the moment really.”

Trainers Quotes

Haggas reflected on the afternoon: “It's been a fantastic day. Aldaary won nicely – he put the race to bed a furlong from home and lasted home. He is a talented horse on this ground.
 
“Dubai Honour ran a great race. He just took a furlong to settle, but he finished well. I thought he was coming to win, but the other horse outstayed him.
 
“Addeybb was too fresh today. Adayar took him on a bit which was unfortunate. He lacked a run and as much as we tried to get him fit, he just needed a run and he will be better for that.
 
“Al Aasy just didn't perform today. I thought he would travel much better.
 
“I'm sure His Highness [Sheikh Hamdan] is looking down on us and enjoying every moment."

BetGoodwin

Balmoral Handicap (sponsored By Qipco)
£200,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m, Class 2
20 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (11)     Aldaary 3 9-6 6ex William Haggas Jim Crowley 7/2
2 (15) 1½ Symbolize 4 9-2 Andrew Balding David Probert 40/1
3 (12) 1 Magical Morning 4 9-6 John & Thady Gosden Jamie Spencer 66/1
4 (7) 1¼ Nugget 4 9-4 Richard Hannon Ryan Moore 9/1
5 (14) shd Matthew Flinders 4 9-3 Ed Walker William Buick 33/1
6 (2) ½ Escobar 7 9-6 David O'Meara Adam Kirby 16/1
7 (13) shd Shelir 5 9-2 6ex David O'Meara Jason Watson 40/1
8 (19) ½ Raise You 5 9-4 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 22/1
9 (5) ½ Rhoscolyn 3 9-3 David O'Meara Daniel Tudhope 40/1
10 (22) 1½ Kenzai Warrior 4 9-3 6ex Roger Teal Hollie Doyle 50/1
11 (17) ½ Johan 4 9-4 William Haggas Tom Marquand 33/1
12 (6) shd Oh This Is Us 8 9-7 Richard Hannon Rossa Ryan 80/1
13 (10) nk Saltonstall 7 9-3 Adrian McGuinness Cian MacRedmond 80/1
14 (21) nk Sunray Major 4 9-1 6ex John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori 2/1F
15 (3) hd Sir Busker 5 9-11 William Knight Oisin Murphy 9/1
16 (8) 1½ King Leonidas 4 9-3 2 John & Thady Gosden James Doyle 8/1
17 (23) ¾ Dashing Roger 4 9-4 William Stone Marco Ghiani 40/1
18 (4) ¾ Accidental Agent 7 9-7 Eve Johnson Houghton Charles Bishop 66/1
19 (16) 4 Montatham 5 9-7 William Haggas Dane O'Neill 100/1
20 (1) 5 Marie's Diamond 5 9-2 Mark Johnston Andrea Atzeni 28/1

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