Ante-post tip: a 20-1 fancy for QIPCO British Champions Day

Wathnan Racing are set to be strongly represented in Saturday’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock, with Lazzat, Kind Of Blue and Flora Of Bermuda all among the confirmations on Monday. 

Lazzat heads the betting at a general 2-1, and appears the number one hope for the powerhouse owners, while a strong case can be made for Kind Of Blue based on his close second in the race 12 months ago. 

The ante-post market suggests Flora Of Bermuda is the least favoured of the trio, and that is probably fair given she trailed in last in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup when last seen. She was also no match for Lazzat when third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes prior to that. 

However, fast ground would not have suited at Royal Ascot, where she was also caught too far back plus received a bump when forced to switch, and lost many lengths when rearing as the stalls opened at Newmarket. She was not given the hardest time under pressure at HQ having blown her chance at the start and was allowed to coast home inside the final furlong. 

Connections have reported that their filly has been given a break ahead of this contest, and I would therefore not be surprised if this is a stepping stone to the QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot on October 18 which she finished a close third in last year, despite racing keenly in the early stages. 

The fact Wathan Racing are set to run three of their top sprinters in the Haydock showpiece also hints that Flora Of Bermuda is being primed for Ascot six weeks later (as does her mid-season break) where she should get her optimum conditions again.

Admittedly, she did finish a narrow second on good to firm ground at York on her seasonal return, but her efforts over the past couple of years suggest she relishes give underfoot and is almost guaranteed that on QIPCO British Champions Day. Connections also believe she is at her best on softer ground.

The four-year-old has produced consistent form in top sprint races and is still potentially an improved performer this season given she has not been seen to best effect yet. “Mentally and physically, she’s developed,” Balding’s wife, Anna Lisa, said after Flora Of Bermuda’s York effort in May, and Wathnan Racing were quick to purchase this Dark Angel filly ahead of Royal Ascot this year. 

The fact she will head to Ascot next month fresher than most of her rivals is another positive, and a promising run at Haydock on Saturday could see her odds contract, which is why I'm advising her as an ante-post wager now.

Eight of the past 12 winners of the QIPCO British Champions Sprint were aged four or older, and six of those - Slade Power, The Tin Man, Librisa Breeze, Donjuan Triumphant, Kinross and Art Power – were all beaten in the six-furlong contest the previous year. Six of the past 12 winners were also beaten in the Sprint Cup en route to Champions Day glory, so Flora Of Bermuda appears to tick plenty of boxes and looks overpriced at the 20-1 on offer. 

Advised ante-post bet: FLORA OF BERMUDA at 20-1 (with Bet365) to win the 2025 QIPCO British Champions Sprint.