Champions Day tips 2018: Recoletes backed to win Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on soft ground at Ascot

The turf season finale has become extremely popular since its inception in 2011, with six cracking top class races and the prize money now up to a record-breaking four million pounds.

With the going expected to be soft at Ascot on Saturday (despite a drying few days in Berkshire), an ability to handle testing conditions will be important.

Bettingexpert brings you horse racing betting tips from one of the UK's best racing tipsters, Stephen Harris. Get Stephen's tips now.

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup:

1.25 Stradivarius 11/10 Paddy Power

John Gosden’s top class stayer has won all four starts this summer in brilliant style, all on fast ground, and he can complete the perfect season here at a track that suits ideally (showed soft ground holds no terrors when third to the odds-on Order of St George in 2017)

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes:

2.00 Librisa Breeze 5/1 Ladbrokes

Owned by the extremely astute professional punter (and Brighton and Hove Albion owner) Tony Bloom, this high class sprinter has ideal conditions for the first time this season. The 2017 winner of this race revels in the mud, and should get the strong run race he needs with numerous frontrunners in the line-up.

Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes:

2.40 Kitesurf 9/2 Bet 365

Andre Fabre has a brilliant record when bringing over his horses to the UK, and this 4-y-o has improved dramatically in France this Autumn. He has now won 5 of his 13 career starts, revels on soft ground, and comes here on the back of winning the Group 1 Prix Vermeille in September.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes:

3.15 Recoletes 5/1 Corals

With soft ground a major concern for market leaders Roaring Lion and Laurens, this looks set up for a proven mudlark from France. He comes here on the up, having won 7 of his 13 career starts, and stamina for further than a mile is another big plus under regular rider Olivier Peslier.

Qipco Champion Stakes:

3.50 Crystal Ocean 3/1 Paddy Power

Sir Michael Stoute’s top class 4-y-o has lost no caste at all in defeat on his last two runs, no match for subsequent Arc hero Enable last time on the all-weather at Kempton. He has a terrific record at Ascot, handles soft ground, and is sure to be positively ridden dropping back 2f in trip. Main danger Cracksman has not been at his best this summer, often looking laboured and reluctant, and he needs first time blinkers to have a transformative effect.

Balmoral Handicap:

4.30 Mitchum Swagger 16/1 Betway

Ralph Beckett’s 6-y-o comes here fresher than most after just two runs this season, and he seems sure to go very close (with some luck in running in a huge field under his usual hold up ride from Harry Bentley).