★ British Champions Day · Festival guide →

Ascot Racecard — Our Tips, Best Odds & Free Bet Offers

Saturday 17 October 2026 · 6 races · 🇬🇧 GB · Going: Good

Britain's most valuable race meeting — £10.65 million prize pot across 35 races over five days, including 8 Group 1 races (Queen Anne, King Charles III, St James's Palace, Prince of Wales's, Ascot Gold Cup, Commonwealth Cup, Coronation Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee). The course also stages QIPCO British Champions Day in October.

The Card

Click any race for the full field, tips, market odds, jockey and trainer details.

R1
1:30
Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup
1m 7f 209y · Class 1 · £283,550 · 38 runners
View race →
R2
2:05
Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes
6f · Class 1 · £283,550 · 17 runners
View race →
R3
2:40
Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
1m 3f 211y · Class 1 · £283,550 · 48 runners
View race →
R4
3:20
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes ★ Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
1m · Class 1 · £623,810 · 36 runners
View race →
R5
4:00
Qatar Racing Champion Stakes ★ Champion Stakes
1m 1f 212y · Class 1 · £737,230 · 45 runners
View race →
R6
4:35
Balmoral Handicap Stakes
1m · Class 2 · £103,080 · 54 runners
View race →

Our View on the Ascot Card

Three races worth a view, scored on market position, official ratings, recent form and yard form. Our reasoning is shown so you can disagree with it.

1:30 Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup

Caballo de Mar is the strongest case on the card. The yard is in form, and that tends to matter more than any single line of form. In a 38-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

Carmers is the each-way alternative. The yard is in form, and that tends to matter more than any single line of form. In a 38-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

2:05 Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes

Almeraq is the strongest case on the card. Recent form reads well against these. In a 17-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

Great Wish is the each-way alternative. Recent form reads well against these. In a 17-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

2:40 Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

Bosphorus Rose is the strongest case on the card. The yard is in form, and that tends to matter more than any single line of form. In a 48-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

Club Class is the each-way alternative. The yard is in form, and that tends to matter more than any single line of form. In a 48-runner field, take the each-way terms seriously.

Selections are our own opinion from published form and prices, not a forecast of a winner. Most favourites lose. 18+ · GambleAware.org

Best Free Bets for British Champions Day

This is a British Champions Day meeting. Best Odds Guaranteed and Extra Places at the bookmakers below, with full T&Cs shown.

bet365
Bet £10, Get £30 in Free Bets
Code: 365GMBLR
Get Bonus → Read our bet365 review
T&Cs: 18+, GambleAware.org. Registration required. New bet365 customers only. Min deposit £10. Free Bets paid as Bet Credits, available upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
Fitzdares
Bet £50, Get £25 in Free Bets
Get Bonus → Read our Fitzdares review
T&Cs: 18+, GambleAware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Place £50 bet on any sport at odds of Evens (2.0)+ to qualify for three free bets on settlement: £10 Football, £10 Golf, £5 Virtual Sports, plus 10 Free Spins on Reel King. Free Bet & Spins expire 7 days. Additional T&Cs apply.
Betfred
Bet £10, Get £50 in Bonuses
Get Bonus → Read our Betfred review
T&Cs: 18+, GambleAware.org. New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3× £10 Sports Free Bets + 2× £10 Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply.
SBK
Wager £20, Get £60 in Free Bets
Get Bonus → Read our SBK review
T&Cs: 18+, GambleAware.org. New UK customers. Min £20 first deposit. Place a bet of £20 at min odds of 2/1 (3.0) and get £40 in Free Bets within 48 hours. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. #ad

Compare all 10 UK horse racing bookmakers →

About Ascot Racecourse

£10.65m prize pot
Royal Ascot
8 Group 1 races
Royal meeting
286k attendance
Five days
Since 1711
Royal heritage

Full Ascot racecourse guide →