Andy Holding is backing a 14/1 outsider ante-post for the Champions Sprint at Ascot.
British Champions Sprint Stakes
Looking at the long-range weather forecast, it’s almost inevitable Saturday’s glittering Champions Day card is due to be run on heavy ground and of all the horses set to do battle at the Berkshire venue, VADREAM (best price 14/1) is one of a handful who will simply relish the conditions.
Wildly impressive both visually and on the clock on heavy ground at Doncaster back in April, Charlie Fellows’ mare went on to prove that form was no fluke by capturing the Palace House Stakes over a furlong shorter at Newmarket a month later and if it wasn’t for the rain which fell immediately before the race, she probably would have little chance of success.
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Since then, the weather has continued to frustrate connections as each target she has had on her agenda has been scuppered by dry conditions, but their patience looks set to be rewarded in no uncertain terms this weekend. Already soft, anything up to 20ml is due in the area in the build up to the race and while the likes of Kinross and Shaquille will handle heavy ground well enough, they probably can’t claim they enjoy it.
A creditable sixth in this Group 1 sprint last year when the ground was nowhere near soft enough, the daughter of Brazen Beau put the finishing touches to her repeat bid over today’s course two weeks ago despite the conditions being way too quick.
Now returning to the scene of that fine effort, she has a golden opportunity to capture her biggest prize so far to date with everything in her favour for the Champions Sprint.
