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1.25 Ascot – The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)
The Irish had dominated the Long Distance Cup in its current guise having landed the first four renewals until John Gosden’s Flying Officer arrested the slide last year. However, the challenge from across the Irish Sea once again looks very strong and it could be heading back to the Emerald Isle.
2014 winner Forgotten Rules had only two starts prior to scooping this pot and has remained fairly lightly-raced since. The six-year-old made a belated seasonal debut in the Listed Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh last month and looked the winner until collared only late on by progressive three-year-old Twilight Payment. With the way he travelled into the race, it can only be a lack of race-fitness that put paid to his chances and he should be spot on for this with that blow under his belt.
However, the ground isn’t likely to be as heavy as back in 2014 so preference is for his fellow Irish Raider ORDER OF ST GEORGE. The Galileo colt has wiped the floor in the staying division since hosing up in the Irish St Leger Trial last year, landing the Ascot Gold Cup on the way. His only blip has been a surprising defeat at the hands of Wicklow Brave as he attempted to land back-to-back wins in the Irish St Leger in September but he did get very warm beforehand that day and he bounced back with aplomb when completing a Coolmore 1-2-3 in the Arc last time out. That was the first time he had raced over a trip less than 1m5f since his juvenile days and the step back up to two miles should certainly work in his favour. With conditions perfect for him, he should prove very hard to beat.
Had it not been for the forecast slow going, Quest For More would have been afforded a huge chance and he could still prove to be decent each-way value at around 10/1. Roger Charlton’s charge was a runaway winner of the Lonsdale Cup at York’s Ebor meeting when dominating from the front and was only narrowly outpointed by Sheikhzayedroad adopting similar tactics in the Doncaster Cup next time out. George Baker changed tack completely in the Prix du Cadran last time, holding the six-year-old at the rear in an attempt to get the marathon 2m4f trip, and that worked a treat as he crept into the contest and just held the home favourite Vazirabad in the final furlong. His form in the top staying contests in the calendar is hard to rival but any give in the ground will surely put a big doubt on his chances.
His Doncaster vanquisher Sheikhzayedroad is another with a top profile in the staying division this campaign, duly landing a win in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup having finished third in the Goodwood Cup and Gold Cup on his previous two starts. He is entitled to run his race again and likely won’t be far way at the finish but could just find a couple too good once more and hung badly in the final straight at the Royal meeting back in June, which is a slight concern.
Another who has entered the picture in the staying division this season is Nearly Caught who has built on his good third in the Northumberland Plate with a pair of wins over in France (at Listed and Group 2 level). His latest third behind Quest For More at Chantilly was a respectable effort but he just didn’t quite seem to have the class to get properly involved against this sort of opposition.
Litigant, who caused a massive shock when storming clear to win the Ebor last year shouldn’t be ruled out but it does look as though he has a mammoth task on his hands. The lightly-raced eight-year-old has clearly had his problems having only raced ten times in a five-year career and was well beaten in this contest last year. He did bounce straight back from that with a phenomenal performance to sluice up in the November Handicap under top weight so has earned his place in the line-up. The fact that he managed to win a bruising encounter such as the Ebor on his first run back for well over a year bodes well ahead of his participation here.
Very much unexposed at this trip, Simple Verse rates a most interesting contender receiving a 3lb allowance from the rest of the field. Last year’s St Leger heroine followed up her Classic success with victory in the Fillies & Mares race on the card last year but looked to have gone off the boil this campaign until bouncing back in the Park Hill Stakes last month. The way she was doing all her best work at the finish suggests that the step up to two miles could well suit and she clearly has enough class to make her presence felt if taking the extra couple of furlongs in her stride.
MY Advice
ORDER OF ST GEORGE – 2pts win @ 5/6 (bet365, SkyBet, Betfred)
*
2.00 Ascot – Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes*(Group 1)
The weekend action begins with this sprint and looking at the field as a whole, it is probably the most competitive renewal of the race in recent years. There are no less than five Group 1 winners in the field and the current market leader is one such filly, Quiet Reflection. Karl Burke’s filly has been a fine servant for her connections, winning seven of her nine starts to date and her only defeat this term saw her finish third in the July Cup, on ground which would have been faster than ideal. The ground on Saturday should be perfect for her with the rain this week likely to have taken the sting out of it and if she reproduces her Haydock romp then she could prove very difficult to beat in receipt of weight all around. If I have a concern it is that she has had five very tough races already this season and although she has had a good break since Haydock, I wonder whether this might be one dance too many for her.
The Tin Man finished second behind Quiet Reflection at Haydock last time, making late headway from the back under a strong Tom Queally drive. In fairness to him, the ground would have probably been a bit slow for him that day as we have seen him use his turn of foot on a sound surface in the past. However, looking at his form I think that he is probably a Group 2/Group 3 performer and in a vintage renewal of this race, he is likely to find one or two too good on the day.
Trainer Henry Candy has had a quiet year by his high standards but he has still managed to pick up a number of Group 1 contests, including the Diamond Jubilee with Twilight Son back in June. Despite that being his second Group 1 success, that was probably a career best under Ryan Moore, who gets back aboard here. The ground was far too quick for him at Newmarket in the July Cup and he has had this race as his target since deciding to swerve a chance to retain his Sprint Cup crown at Haydock. He should have no complaints with the ground conditions on Saturday, although I would be concerned about his fitness returning from a break of 98 days.
The French raider Signs Of Blessing was just half a length behind Twilight Son in June and subsequently went on to land the Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville. He beat a good field that day and he should see out the 6f well here, having won over the extended six furlongs on this occasion. I think the gelding probably needs to improve again to win this race but I do think his chances over underestimated by his price of 16/1 here.
In terms of Ascot form, there aren’t many horses in the field with better records than Librisa Breeze who has two wins and one second to his name from three starts at the venue. That second saw him undone by the draw in the Royal Hunt Cup and he seems to really enjoy the way races develop here. He showed a blistering turn of foot to get up to win here a couple of weeks ago and he should have problem dropping back to six furlongs. He is improving rapidly without question, and with this being just his second start in Group company, you would have to think he will come up a little short.
One of the major enigmas in the race is Mecca’s Angel who as we know has won two renewals of the Nunthorpe at York but all of her best form has come over the minimum trip. She has only raced twice beyond five furlongs in the past, finishing fourth in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar as a juvenile and finishing fifth over 5.5f at Maisons-Lafitte the following year. She has improved a lot since those runs and with her being a couple of years older, she might have a better chance of seeing out the extra furlong. If you put a gun to my head, I would say that a stiff 6f might be difficult for her considering how she was run down in the Abbaye last time. There is no doubt that she has the ability to get her head in front at some stage but she may find the petrol gauge running a little low in the final half furlong here.
With all of that in mind, the one who gets the nod is SHALAA who overcame an absence of over a year to win the Group 3 Bengough Stakes over course and distance a couple of weeks ago. John Gosden’s colt won his last five starts as a two-year-old including the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes but sustained a setback over the winter. He has been brought back slowly by his trainer and whilst he was fresh and keen last time, hopefully that run has taken some of that exuberance out of his system. He was only ridden with hands and heels to win last time and I expect him to improve a lot for that initial outing. On official ratings, only Mecca’s Angel is higher on 122 and with the forecast ground unlikely to inconvenience him, I fancy him to run a big race.
Of the remainder, the Ayr Gold Cup winner Brando is interesting on return to the scene of his Wokingham second back in June. He was just denied on that occasion and whilst he is likely to run his race, he is likely to come up short. Richard Fahey’s Don’t Touch is also interesting in a first time visor and finished just two lengths behind the selection at Ascot last time. He hasn’t really lived up to expectations so far for connections this season and perhaps the new headgear can eke out further improvement.
MY Advice
SHALAA – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Stan James)
**
2.35 Ascot – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes*(Group 1)
John Gosden’s Journey looks to have a leading chance of going one better this year, having found only Simple Verse too good for her in this race twelve months ago. The four-year-old was a shade disappointing when dropped back to 1m2f on her seasonal reappearance but has bounced right back to form on her last two outings, back over her favoured trip of 1m4f. She set an even pace at Newmarket last time, before quickening up smartly in the closing stages to win going away at the line and a repeat of her performance last year, would see her go very close once again.
She is joined in the field by stablemate California who has course and distance form courtesy of her victory here in July. That was in handicap company but she has since gone on to follow up in Group 3 company as well as finishing a good third in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster. She has a tendency to be keen in her races so the drop back to 1m4f may show her in a better light but she looks to have plenty to find with the top fillies in the field.
One such filly could be Speedy Boarding who has shown plenty of improvement this year, winning three times including twice in Group 1 company. Her latest success saw her see off the game Pleascach in the Prix de l’Opera and as long as that race hasn’t taken too much of a toll on her, she looks primed for another big effort. The big question mark with her is the trip as she has shaped like a non-stayer on her two previous attempts at 1m4f including in this race last year.
One who shouldn’t have any stamina worries is Dermot Weld’s Zhukova who comes here in search of a fifth victory in succession. Since winning the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway last September, all the filly has done is continue to progress and her latest success saw her land a Group 3 at Leopardstown, getting the better of US Army Ranger. This step into Group 1 company is a big one but she continues to give the impression that she is capable of better and on official figures, she doesn’t have much to find with the best. She had a bit of a look around in front last time which is presumably why the cheekpieces go on and with the yard having taken this race four years ago, I would be surprised to see her out of the frame.
Of the rest of the older fillies, one who I think could be overpriced is David Simcock’s Bateel who won for the first time in Listed company at Newmarket at the end of June. She seemed to relish the soft ground underfoot on that occasion and perhaps connections will be hoping for a bit more rain to aid her chances. She wasn’t beaten too far in Group 1 company over 1m2f last time and having run on well in the closing stages, she is likely to be suited by the return to 1m4f here. She has only had seven races to date but I think she is open to improvement and can go well at a big price, especially if the ground softens up.
However, the Classic generation have taken the last two renewals and they look to have the most likely winner this time around in the shape of SEVENTH HEAVEN. Aidan O’Brien’s filly has done nothing but improve all year with her only blip coming in the Oaks at Epsom back in June. Since then she has gone on to establish herself as one of the leading middle distance fillies, winning the Irish Oaks before taming her elder rivals (including Arc winner Found) in the Yorkshire Oaks last time. She has obviously been kept back for this assignment and as long as the ground doesn’t get too soft I find it very hard to look past her. She gets weight from her elder rivals here and with the O’Brien team firing in winners left, right and centre, she rates a strong selection.
She is joined in the race by two stablemates in Even Song and Pretty Perfect and I slightly prefer the latter judged on her fine effort in the Park Hill at Doncaster. She was only collared late on by Simple Verse and if she is allowed too much rope out in front, she could prove tough to pass.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Queen’s Trust has shaped as though she can hold her own in this sort of company, with her best effort coming behind Minding in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. It is hard to see her reversing the form with the favourite if they both run to form but it may be that Sir Michael’s filly may prefer a slower surface.
MY Advice
SEVENTH HEAVEN – 1.5pts win @ 2/1 (Paddy Power, William Hill)
The Irish had dominated the Long Distance Cup in its current guise having landed the first four renewals until John Gosden’s Flying Officer arrested the slide last year. However, the challenge from across the Irish Sea once again looks very strong and it could be heading back to the Emerald Isle.
2014 winner Forgotten Rules had only two starts prior to scooping this pot and has remained fairly lightly-raced since. The six-year-old made a belated seasonal debut in the Listed Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh last month and looked the winner until collared only late on by progressive three-year-old Twilight Payment. With the way he travelled into the race, it can only be a lack of race-fitness that put paid to his chances and he should be spot on for this with that blow under his belt.
However, the ground isn’t likely to be as heavy as back in 2014 so preference is for his fellow Irish Raider ORDER OF ST GEORGE. The Galileo colt has wiped the floor in the staying division since hosing up in the Irish St Leger Trial last year, landing the Ascot Gold Cup on the way. His only blip has been a surprising defeat at the hands of Wicklow Brave as he attempted to land back-to-back wins in the Irish St Leger in September but he did get very warm beforehand that day and he bounced back with aplomb when completing a Coolmore 1-2-3 in the Arc last time out. That was the first time he had raced over a trip less than 1m5f since his juvenile days and the step back up to two miles should certainly work in his favour. With conditions perfect for him, he should prove very hard to beat.
Had it not been for the forecast slow going, Quest For More would have been afforded a huge chance and he could still prove to be decent each-way value at around 10/1. Roger Charlton’s charge was a runaway winner of the Lonsdale Cup at York’s Ebor meeting when dominating from the front and was only narrowly outpointed by Sheikhzayedroad adopting similar tactics in the Doncaster Cup next time out. George Baker changed tack completely in the Prix du Cadran last time, holding the six-year-old at the rear in an attempt to get the marathon 2m4f trip, and that worked a treat as he crept into the contest and just held the home favourite Vazirabad in the final furlong. His form in the top staying contests in the calendar is hard to rival but any give in the ground will surely put a big doubt on his chances.
His Doncaster vanquisher Sheikhzayedroad is another with a top profile in the staying division this campaign, duly landing a win in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup having finished third in the Goodwood Cup and Gold Cup on his previous two starts. He is entitled to run his race again and likely won’t be far way at the finish but could just find a couple too good once more and hung badly in the final straight at the Royal meeting back in June, which is a slight concern.
Another who has entered the picture in the staying division this season is Nearly Caught who has built on his good third in the Northumberland Plate with a pair of wins over in France (at Listed and Group 2 level). His latest third behind Quest For More at Chantilly was a respectable effort but he just didn’t quite seem to have the class to get properly involved against this sort of opposition.
Litigant, who caused a massive shock when storming clear to win the Ebor last year shouldn’t be ruled out but it does look as though he has a mammoth task on his hands. The lightly-raced eight-year-old has clearly had his problems having only raced ten times in a five-year career and was well beaten in this contest last year. He did bounce straight back from that with a phenomenal performance to sluice up in the November Handicap under top weight so has earned his place in the line-up. The fact that he managed to win a bruising encounter such as the Ebor on his first run back for well over a year bodes well ahead of his participation here.
Very much unexposed at this trip, Simple Verse rates a most interesting contender receiving a 3lb allowance from the rest of the field. Last year’s St Leger heroine followed up her Classic success with victory in the Fillies & Mares race on the card last year but looked to have gone off the boil this campaign until bouncing back in the Park Hill Stakes last month. The way she was doing all her best work at the finish suggests that the step up to two miles could well suit and she clearly has enough class to make her presence felt if taking the extra couple of furlongs in her stride.
MY Advice
ORDER OF ST GEORGE – 2pts win @ 5/6 (bet365, SkyBet, Betfred)
*
2.00 Ascot – Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes*(Group 1)
The weekend action begins with this sprint and looking at the field as a whole, it is probably the most competitive renewal of the race in recent years. There are no less than five Group 1 winners in the field and the current market leader is one such filly, Quiet Reflection. Karl Burke’s filly has been a fine servant for her connections, winning seven of her nine starts to date and her only defeat this term saw her finish third in the July Cup, on ground which would have been faster than ideal. The ground on Saturday should be perfect for her with the rain this week likely to have taken the sting out of it and if she reproduces her Haydock romp then she could prove very difficult to beat in receipt of weight all around. If I have a concern it is that she has had five very tough races already this season and although she has had a good break since Haydock, I wonder whether this might be one dance too many for her.
The Tin Man finished second behind Quiet Reflection at Haydock last time, making late headway from the back under a strong Tom Queally drive. In fairness to him, the ground would have probably been a bit slow for him that day as we have seen him use his turn of foot on a sound surface in the past. However, looking at his form I think that he is probably a Group 2/Group 3 performer and in a vintage renewal of this race, he is likely to find one or two too good on the day.
Trainer Henry Candy has had a quiet year by his high standards but he has still managed to pick up a number of Group 1 contests, including the Diamond Jubilee with Twilight Son back in June. Despite that being his second Group 1 success, that was probably a career best under Ryan Moore, who gets back aboard here. The ground was far too quick for him at Newmarket in the July Cup and he has had this race as his target since deciding to swerve a chance to retain his Sprint Cup crown at Haydock. He should have no complaints with the ground conditions on Saturday, although I would be concerned about his fitness returning from a break of 98 days.
The French raider Signs Of Blessing was just half a length behind Twilight Son in June and subsequently went on to land the Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville. He beat a good field that day and he should see out the 6f well here, having won over the extended six furlongs on this occasion. I think the gelding probably needs to improve again to win this race but I do think his chances over underestimated by his price of 16/1 here.
In terms of Ascot form, there aren’t many horses in the field with better records than Librisa Breeze who has two wins and one second to his name from three starts at the venue. That second saw him undone by the draw in the Royal Hunt Cup and he seems to really enjoy the way races develop here. He showed a blistering turn of foot to get up to win here a couple of weeks ago and he should have problem dropping back to six furlongs. He is improving rapidly without question, and with this being just his second start in Group company, you would have to think he will come up a little short.
One of the major enigmas in the race is Mecca’s Angel who as we know has won two renewals of the Nunthorpe at York but all of her best form has come over the minimum trip. She has only raced twice beyond five furlongs in the past, finishing fourth in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar as a juvenile and finishing fifth over 5.5f at Maisons-Lafitte the following year. She has improved a lot since those runs and with her being a couple of years older, she might have a better chance of seeing out the extra furlong. If you put a gun to my head, I would say that a stiff 6f might be difficult for her considering how she was run down in the Abbaye last time. There is no doubt that she has the ability to get her head in front at some stage but she may find the petrol gauge running a little low in the final half furlong here.
With all of that in mind, the one who gets the nod is SHALAA who overcame an absence of over a year to win the Group 3 Bengough Stakes over course and distance a couple of weeks ago. John Gosden’s colt won his last five starts as a two-year-old including the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes but sustained a setback over the winter. He has been brought back slowly by his trainer and whilst he was fresh and keen last time, hopefully that run has taken some of that exuberance out of his system. He was only ridden with hands and heels to win last time and I expect him to improve a lot for that initial outing. On official ratings, only Mecca’s Angel is higher on 122 and with the forecast ground unlikely to inconvenience him, I fancy him to run a big race.
Of the remainder, the Ayr Gold Cup winner Brando is interesting on return to the scene of his Wokingham second back in June. He was just denied on that occasion and whilst he is likely to run his race, he is likely to come up short. Richard Fahey’s Don’t Touch is also interesting in a first time visor and finished just two lengths behind the selection at Ascot last time. He hasn’t really lived up to expectations so far for connections this season and perhaps the new headgear can eke out further improvement.
MY Advice
SHALAA – 1pt win @ 6/1 (Stan James)
**
2.35 Ascot – British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes*(Group 1)
John Gosden’s Journey looks to have a leading chance of going one better this year, having found only Simple Verse too good for her in this race twelve months ago. The four-year-old was a shade disappointing when dropped back to 1m2f on her seasonal reappearance but has bounced right back to form on her last two outings, back over her favoured trip of 1m4f. She set an even pace at Newmarket last time, before quickening up smartly in the closing stages to win going away at the line and a repeat of her performance last year, would see her go very close once again.
She is joined in the field by stablemate California who has course and distance form courtesy of her victory here in July. That was in handicap company but she has since gone on to follow up in Group 3 company as well as finishing a good third in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster. She has a tendency to be keen in her races so the drop back to 1m4f may show her in a better light but she looks to have plenty to find with the top fillies in the field.
One such filly could be Speedy Boarding who has shown plenty of improvement this year, winning three times including twice in Group 1 company. Her latest success saw her see off the game Pleascach in the Prix de l’Opera and as long as that race hasn’t taken too much of a toll on her, she looks primed for another big effort. The big question mark with her is the trip as she has shaped like a non-stayer on her two previous attempts at 1m4f including in this race last year.
One who shouldn’t have any stamina worries is Dermot Weld’s Zhukova who comes here in search of a fifth victory in succession. Since winning the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway last September, all the filly has done is continue to progress and her latest success saw her land a Group 3 at Leopardstown, getting the better of US Army Ranger. This step into Group 1 company is a big one but she continues to give the impression that she is capable of better and on official figures, she doesn’t have much to find with the best. She had a bit of a look around in front last time which is presumably why the cheekpieces go on and with the yard having taken this race four years ago, I would be surprised to see her out of the frame.
Of the rest of the older fillies, one who I think could be overpriced is David Simcock’s Bateel who won for the first time in Listed company at Newmarket at the end of June. She seemed to relish the soft ground underfoot on that occasion and perhaps connections will be hoping for a bit more rain to aid her chances. She wasn’t beaten too far in Group 1 company over 1m2f last time and having run on well in the closing stages, she is likely to be suited by the return to 1m4f here. She has only had seven races to date but I think she is open to improvement and can go well at a big price, especially if the ground softens up.
However, the Classic generation have taken the last two renewals and they look to have the most likely winner this time around in the shape of SEVENTH HEAVEN. Aidan O’Brien’s filly has done nothing but improve all year with her only blip coming in the Oaks at Epsom back in June. Since then she has gone on to establish herself as one of the leading middle distance fillies, winning the Irish Oaks before taming her elder rivals (including Arc winner Found) in the Yorkshire Oaks last time. She has obviously been kept back for this assignment and as long as the ground doesn’t get too soft I find it very hard to look past her. She gets weight from her elder rivals here and with the O’Brien team firing in winners left, right and centre, she rates a strong selection.
She is joined in the race by two stablemates in Even Song and Pretty Perfect and I slightly prefer the latter judged on her fine effort in the Park Hill at Doncaster. She was only collared late on by Simple Verse and if she is allowed too much rope out in front, she could prove tough to pass.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Queen’s Trust has shaped as though she can hold her own in this sort of company, with her best effort coming behind Minding in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. It is hard to see her reversing the form with the favourite if they both run to form but it may be that Sir Michael’s filly may prefer a slower surface.
MY Advice
SEVENTH HEAVEN – 1.5pts win @ 2/1 (Paddy Power, William Hill)
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