13:20 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 3m 35.75s

(10)

Broome¹³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

12/1

High-class 3-y-o who shaped as though better for run when fourth of 7 in Coronation Cup at Newmarket in June. Worth a try at this sort of trip, though it is a slight concern we haven’t seen him since.

Form: 2/1146-4

(13)

Fujaira Prince³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 114| C

10/1

Better than ever to land handicaps at Royal Ascot and Ebor at York. Good second in the Irish St Leger last time, but he wasn’t as strong in the finish as winner so stamina not assured up to 2m now.

Form: 123-112

(8)

Mildenberger²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| BF| D

125/1

Excellent second in the Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle in June but below expectations after four months off when last of four to Ranch Hand in a listed race at Newmarket. Has bit to find with principals.

Form: 3-31124

(7)

Morando³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| C

20/1

Form: 821-742

(4)

Sovereign³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

14/1

Sprung surprise in 2019 Irish Derby. Best run this year when 2nd in the King George here, but disappointed in the Irish St Leger last time. This trip should prove within his compass so shortlisted.

Form: 301-326

(12)

Spanish Mission³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 110

14/1

Made the most of good opportunity for new yard when winning Doncaster Cup last time, scoring with plenty in hand. This is much deeper, but he at least arrives in good form and goes on soft ground.

Form: 1-62611

(1)

Stradivarius¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| CD

11/10

Has led all before him in the British staying division since 2018 but not seen to best effect when seventh in the Arc (12f) last time. Sort to bounce back so very much the one to beat back up in trip.

Form: 2-31127

(11)

Trueshan³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 109

11/1

Only respectable eighth in Ebor Handicap but back on track when winning 14f Salisbury conditions event with a fair bit in hand. Well worth trying at 2m and goes in the mud so holds place claims.

Form: 11-4181

(3)

Dubious Affair³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: C Fellowes| OR: 100

150/1

Three-time handicap winner in the summer and she recorded a career best to finish fourth in the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster last time. Should stay 2m but this is a lot more demanding.

Form: 1-11124

(2)

Monica Sheriff^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 102

80/1

Shaped well after 10 months off when fourth in the Ebor at York but has gone backwards in two starts since, though, finishing well beaten in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. Has it to prove now.

Form: 111-470

(6)

Search For A Song^h³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D K Weld| OR: 116

7/1

Did nothing but progress last year, winning the Irish St Leger, and returned to her best to win race again, holding Fujaira Prince by 2l. Likely to stay 2m and rates main danger to Stradivarius.

Form: 11-6P31

(9)

Dawn Patrol²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P C Boudot| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| D

10/1

Smart colt who recorded excellent third in Irish Derby and arrives on back of win in Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh on first try at 2m. Needs a lot more here but still unexposed over staying trips.

Form: 231361

(5)

Max Vega¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109

50/1

Best run this year when 2nd in Geoffrey Freer Stakes in August. Well below form over 15f in the Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp last time so his stamina is far from assured up to 2m now.

Form: 11-5024

Forecasts

Stradivarius (11/10), Search For A Song (7/1), Fujaira Prince (10/1), Dawn Patrol (10/1), Trueshan (11/1), Broome (12/1), Sovereign (14/1), Spanish Mission (14/1), Morando (20/1), Max Vega (50/1), Monica Sheriff (80/1), Mildenberger (125/1), Dubious Affair (150/1)

Staying-king STRADIVARIUS is much superior on form to his rivals and it will be disappointing if he doesn’t resume winning ways returned to this longer trip after his failed attempt to land the Arc back at 12f. Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song looks the chief threat on her first start at 2m, while Broome is also not without a chance now tackling this distance for the first time.