Sun Chariot Stakes Betting Tips & Predictions – Newmarket, Saturday 5th October 2019

No shortage of high-class racing action on offer this weekend, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of course taking centre stage over in France. We do have a Group 1 contest a little closer to home though, and it comes at Newmarket in the form of this fillies and mares contest.

Saturday’s British racing highlight once again features a competitive renewal with five horses trading at single digit prices. There are several making a strong case but given the softening conditions at Newmarket, Billesdon Brook looks capable of producing a real shock.

Race Info

One mile is the trip for this Group 1 contest set to be run on soft ground and offering £250,000 in total prize money.

Recent Winners

This race was opened up to older fillies and mares in 1974. They initially struggled to compete with their younger rivals but there’s been a shift in more recent years. Over the last decade, three year olds have only won on four occasions compared to eight in the previous decade.

We’ve also seen a recent shift favouring the favourite or second favourite in this Group 1 contest. From our last nine champions, only Siyouma in 2012 failed to occupy one of the top two spots in the betting.

Analysis: Recent rainfall to have big say

A particularly wet past couple of weeks is likely to result in soft going at Newmarket this Saturday. For many of the leading contenders in this race, running on such ground is quite an unfamiliar experience. Laurens and Veracious for instance have just one previous effort apiece on soft going, both failing to place. This isn’t to say they can’t produce the goods in the mud this time but there is definitely an increased possibility of an upset in this renewal.

Laurens aims for title defence

It is rare to see a horse win this race on more than one occasion. Sahpresa pulled off an unprecedented hat-trick in 2011 but she’s the only multiple winner we have had since 1985. History is against Laurens (7/2) winning back-to-back titles, as is her slight inconsistency. Karl Burke’s filly may be the joint favourite here but she’s already lost out three times this season when the market, or joint market leader. Often not quite able to live up to expectations, this could be another of those times as she flopped quite badly on her only previous effort on soft going.

Veracious back after break

Having enjoyed nearly three months off since her Falmouth Stakes win in July, Veracious (7/2) is set for an eagerly awaited return. Cheveley Park Stud managing director Chris Richardson said he is happy with how the filly has been lately so hopes are high for the former Group 1 winner. The introduction of a tongue-tie has certainly helped the Frankel filly this season, equipped with it she came fourth in a competitive Duke of Cambridge Stakes ran on soft going. She did look a little tired towards the end of that test though and has typically appeared slightly fatigued in races with a greater emphasis on stamina.

Look towards Brook

There are plenty of highly-regarded horses in the mix for this race but it would be a mistake to ignore Billesdon Brook who finds herself near the foot of the betting. Richard Hannon’s filly has failed to really push on following her impressive 1,000 Guineas win last year but there have been some positive signs of late. On her most recent outing, the four year old claimed her first Group level win since her Classic triumph, this coming after two strong Listed efforts. Hitting form at just the right time, there is no reason why she can’t raise a few eyebrows here, especially as a former soft ground winner.

Final Verdict: Billesdon Brook each way

She came fifth of nine in this race last year but soft conditions could see the ground-versatile Billesdon Brook fare far better this time around. Her two victories this season both came over seven furlongs but a return to one mile should offer few issues on a course where she famously won the 1,000 Guineas last summer.