16-1 into 10-1: Hannon runner slashed to take 20-runner Balmoral Handicap

The 20-runner Balmoral Handicap is a big betting race on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot and Tacarib Bay is the one punters are eager to side with.

The Richard Hannon-trained runner has been slashed to a general 10-1 (from 14-1) and he was available at 20-1 with some firms on Friday.

The three-year-old, who will be ridden by Pat Dobbs, was a good second over the course and distance in July and is dropping back into handicaps following a disappointing effort in a Listed race at Newbury in September. He also sports blinkers for the first time.

Bashkirova heads the Balmoral betting and represents William Haggas who is also responsible for the day's superstar attraction Baaeed in the preceding Champion Stakes (4.00).

He is a 2-9 chance to finish his career with an 11th victory from as many starts. Adayar is his biggest threat but his price has drifted to 11-2 (from 5-1).

Posted at 10.15am

Inspiral drifts, The Revenant backed

Inspiral had drifted out to 6-4 with some firms, despite having been odds-on earlier this week, as support has arrived for former winner The Revenant in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.20).

The French challenger is set to be ridden by Ryan Moore for the first time and has an excellent record in the race, winning it in 2020 and finishing second to King Of Change the season before.

He faced the stiff task of taking on Baaeed and Palace Pier last season, but ran respectably in fourth, and punters clearly expect a big run as he was cut to 4-1 (from 11-2) on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, support is mixed for Inspiral, who is to be ridden by Frankie Dettori. She is 5-4 with most firms but bet365 and William Hill are offering the bigger price for the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly. She was priced at 10-11 at the start of the season.

She is ultimately one of class acts on the star-studded card which marks the climax of the Flat season, but lost her unbeaten record at odds of 1-7 earlier in the Falmouth Stakes in July before returning to winning ways in the Prix Jacques le Marois in August.

John Gosden told the Racing Post his intentions were to keep her fresh for this end-of-season target but admitted the nine-runner field made it "slightly trappier".

Inspiral: has steadied in the market after an early drift on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Her two biggest challengers, Modern Games and The Revenant, are 4-1 and 5-1 respectively.

Two of Dettori's other rides have been subject to market interest. Trawlerman, winner of the Ebor at York in August, is now 18-1 (from 22-1) to make a successful step up to Group company in the Long Distance Cup (1.25).

Kinross is challenging for favouritism for the Sprint (2.00) having shortened across the board to 9-2 (from 5-1). The Ralph Beckett-trained runner was last seen 13 days ago winning the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Arc day.

There are no non-runners across any of the six races at Ascot as it stands.

Updated at 12.30pm

Market movers

1.25: Trawlerman 18-1 (from 22-1)
2.40: Stay Alert 10-1 (from 12-1)
3.20: Inspiral 6-4 (from 5-4)
4.00: Bashkirova 13-2 (from 7-1), Tacarib Bay 10-1 (from 16-1)

Updated at 12.30pm

Showers in Saturday's forecast but good to soft, soft in places going unchanged

The going at Ascot remains good to soft, soft in places. The softer areas of the track are at Swinley Bottom and at the winning post.

The round course is generally softer with a GoingStick reading of 6.7 recorded on Saturday, with the Straight course at 7.3.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickles said on Saturday morning: "We're good to soft, soft in places and we've had 1mm of rain in the last 24 hours but we've got a dry breezy morning at the moment. Occasional showers are possible today and it could get quite blustery too.

"It's softer generally on the round course around Swinley Bottom and a little bit in the home straight, I'd say in the final furlong."

Posted at 9.15am

Champions Day previews:

1.25 Ascot: Can Trueshan recapture his best in a stellar running of the Long Distance Cup?

2.00 Ascot: 'He’s the one they’ve got to beat' - Appleby confident as top sprinters clash

2.40 Ascot: Can Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn bounce back from King George flop?

3.20 Ascot: 'The small field makes it trappier' - John Gosden on hot QEII favourite Inspiral

4.00 Ascot: Will it be 11 and out or can 'incredible' Baaeed's retirement party be spoiled?

4.40 Ascot: 'He leads Baaeed every day'- who has had the ideal Balmoral prep?

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