Ratings Update: King of Change reigns on Champions Day

Relentless rain in the build up to Champions Day ensured conditions were testing, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of racing fans who were treated to six compelling contests and a selection of high-class performances at Ascot.

King of Change was responsible for one of the best performances on Champions Day, improving his rating 7lb to 126 with an authoritative success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The son of Farhh sprang a surprise when finishing runner-up to Magna Grecia in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, and the merit of that performance had been questioned given how the race developed (he raced in a smaller group of three with the winner). However, the three-year-old proved in no uncertain terms on Saturday that he is indeed a high-class colt, readily beating The Revenant by a length and a quarter to take a stranglehold on a division that had been wide open since the injury-enforced retirement of Too Darn Hot in the summer.

That was only King of Change’s sixth start, so it is conceivable he could do even better next year, while he should also prove effective over further.

Runner-up in the 2000 Guineas back in May, KING OF CHANGE strikes under @LeveySean to land the (Group 1) Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at @Ascot for @rhannonracing!

📽️ @itvracing pic.twitter.com/VdGpqS9lKP

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 19, 2019

King of Change’s success was achieved with a degree of ease. The same could not be said for Kew Gardens, who claimed the Long Distance Cup after just getting the better of a titanic tussle with Stradivarius in a memorable battle.

Stradivarius had not been beaten since finishing third to Order of St George in the 2017 Long Distance Cup, and had rattled off ten wins in succession, sweeping all before him in the staying division. However, Kew Gardens had the form in the book to make a race of it with the favourite – he was rated only 1lb inferior on pre-race ratings – and proved his stamina by finding plenty under pressure to win by a nose. Kew Gardens remains on a rating of 127, while Stradivarius has been dropped 1lb to the same mark.

Aidan and Donnacha O’Brien, who teamed up with Kew Gardens, were also successful with Magical, who made the most of a good opportunity in the Champion Stakes, not needing to improve upon her rating of 125 to land a third Group 1 of the season.

The big question was whether a hard race in the Arc had left a mark on Magical. Her effort on Saturday showed it had not, and further showcased her remarkable toughness and splendid attitude.

Star Catcher also made it three Group 1 wins for the campaign when landing the Fillies & Mares Stakes, though there was a fortuitous element to the success as Fleeting – not for the first time – shaped as if she could have won with better luck in running.

Star Catcher didn’t improve on the level she showed in the Prix Vermeille (remains rated 119) but she wasn’t far off it and keeps getting the job done, impressing with her straightforward style and good attitude. She beat Fleeting’s Aidan O'Brien-trained stablemate Delphinia (118 from 116) by a nose, meaning all three of her Group 1 wins have been achieved with a winning margin of less than a length.

Fleeting, who finished fourth after meeting serious trouble, retains her rating of 117 and the tag of being one of the unluckiest horses in training.

What a season she's had!

✅ (Group 2) Ribblesdale Stakes
✅ (Group 1) Irish Oaks
✅ (Group 1) Prix Vermeille
✅ (Group 1) British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

She's good alright - STAR CATCHER shines under @FrankieDettori on #ChampionsDay!pic.twitter.com/g1uNojeF1A

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) October 19, 2019

Connections of Donjuan Triumphant would have been justifiably frustrated had he not won the opening Champions Sprint having met plenty of trouble in a rough contest. But he flew home under Silvestre de Sousa to win the race at the fourth attempt (he was third last year) and clock a career-best rating of 122 (from 113) on his 37^th start. He did remarkably well to win given how much trouble he encountered.

One Master finished runner-up in an Ascot Group 1 for the second time this season having filled the same position in the Queen Anne over a mile.

Escobar, like Donjuan Triumphant, had a rather exposed profile but found improvement to win the Balmoral Handicap and clock a career-best effort, improving his rating to 119 (from 114). He had finished runner-up in 2018 but delivered a striking turn of foot to win by two and a quarter lengths, getting the better of Cambridgeshire winner Lord North (122), who produced a performance off his 12lb higher mark that suggests he’ll make a mark at Group level.

The going at Naas on Sunday was also testing, which played to the strengths of Silk Forest, who took a huge leap forward to win the Listed Garnet Stakes by five lengths. The three-year-old filly, who was ridden by Billy Lee and is trained by Paddy Twomey, arrived on the back of a maiden win but clearly revelled in the conditions, earning a rating of 106p (from 83p), looking like she could have more to offer.  

The jumps seasons is gradually starting to heat up and there was decent action at Punchestown during the week, headlined by Jett’s narrow victory over Alpha Des Obeaux in a thrilling Grade 3 chase. It was a career-best effort from Jett – a half-brother to 2014 Champion Hurdle winner Jezki – and he is now rated 156 (from 151). Short-priced favourite Balko Des Flos (drops to 162 from 164) was beaten more than ten lengths in fourth, but he shaped better than that margin would suggest having held every chance at the second-last.

Dual bumper winner Sixshooter made his hurdling debut at Punchestown the previous day and won an informative maiden in the style of one destined for better things, earning a rating of 120P. The four-year-old brushed aside three bumper winners, impressing with how much he found when asked, and he is one to note.

Winter is not just a time for jump fans – it is also one for all-weather aficionados. It’s not uncommon to see some useful performers on the all-weather, particularly in the early part of their career, and racegoers at Kempton on Wednesday witnessed a smart performer in Khuzaam. The three-year-colt, who is trained by Roger Varian, routed his rivals and looked a Group horse in the making, at least on Polytrack anyway, so readily did he put seven lengths between himself and his rivals. He earned a rating of 110p (from 99p) and is one to keep a close eye on.