Racing Tips: Laurens, The Tin Man and Hydrangea to bloom at Ascot?

Betting preview and odds on Champions Day

The curtain comes down on a spectacular season of UK and Irish racing this weekend, with British Champions Day from Ascot.

Can Stradivarius round-off a sensational campaign unbeaten? Will Roaring Lion be able to handle the drop back in trip? And can Cracksman bow out on a high? We’ve answered those questions – and more – in our ITV Racing Tips.

Laurens – 3:15 Ascot

Doubt Laurens at your peril. Karl Burke’s filly has made fools of plenty over the last year-and-a-half – including us. The daughter of Siyouni has gone off as favourite just three times in her 10-race career, yet has won four from five over 1m and landed five Group 1 triumphs overall.

That’s some record. And it’s even more impressive given that her biggest margin of victory has been by just three quarters of a length. She grinds out successes no matter who the opponent – and that should hold her in good stead against Roaring Lion and Recoletos.

The former is opposed on the basis of his drop in trip. While the latter’s head victory over Wind Chimes in the Prix du Moulin doesn’t look nearly as good following the winner’s subsequent defeat to our pick in the Sun Chariot Stakes.

The Tin Man – 3:40 Ascot

Unlike most of today’s big races, there’s no obvious favourite for the Sprint Cup. Librisa Breeze has flattered to deceive this term. Brando is unpredictability personified. Harry Angel is nought from five at Ascot. That leaves us with 2016 winner, The Tin Man.

James Fanshawe’s sprinter has run to a consistent level this term, going close in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the star-studded Prix Maurice de Gheest. The stars aligned last time out in the Haydock Sprint Cup, though, when he beat a number who re-oppose this afternoon in dominant fashion.