13:25 Ascot

Saturday 16 October 2021

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:5016:30

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 3m 30.68s

(2)

Baron Samedi^p1,t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

9/1

Completed a remarkable seven-timer in the Belmont Gold Cup in June. Had his winning run ended in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud but shaped well when third in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh. Considered.

Form: 11-1153

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(3)

Berkshire Rocco^p1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| BF| C

25/1

Bagged listed event here in 2020 and runner-up on both starts seven months apart this year. Entitled to strip fitter for his Salisbury return last month and well worth a try at 2m. No forlorn hope.

Form: 2421-22

(1)

Hamish⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111

11/2

Defied 15-month absence to win September Stakes at Kempton from one who has bolted up since. Aimed at this race since and promises to relish the step up to 2m. Player with ground conditions to suit.

Form: 3112/4-1

(12)

Master Of Reality³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 110

80/1

Won listed race at Downpatrick for the second year running in July but followed that with a below-par effort in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh. Highly capable but not one to place maximum faith in.

Form: 10-2510

(11)

Nicholas T^h⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 97| D

200/1

Northumberland Plate winner at Newcastle in June. Has been a bit in-and-out since and disappointed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last week. This is a very tall ask.

Form: 050300

(4)

Roberto Escobarr^p1,t1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: W J Haggas| OR: 108

33/1

Secured a listed race at York in June and has run respectably since. Unable to reel in Nayef Road at Newmarket last time, but he remains unexposed at 2m and appeals as a lively outsider.

Form: 6-51462

(10)

Stradivarius¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 119| BF| CD

7/2

Has ruled the roost in the staying division for the past 5 seasons, but age is perhaps catching up with him as he had no excuses behind Trueshan in Prix du Cadran at Longchamp. Still much respected.

Form: 0-14112

(9)

Trueshan¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 120| CD

1/1

Sparingly raced in 2021 but proved he is best stayer around when getting his conditions in Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, much too strong for Stradivarius. Last year's winner is again the one to beat.

Form: 11-2611

(8)

Tashkhan¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 106

50/1

Ex-Irish gelding who is much improved for current yard, bagging three handicaps this term before good fifth in Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp (15f). This is a big step up in class, though.

Form: 191255

(5)

The Mediterranean^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| BF

12/1

Smart colt who posted his best effort when third in St Leger at Doncaster. Only fair second in Loughbrown Stakes (evens) at the Curragh since and will need to pull out more if he's to reach a place.

Form: 244232

Non-Runners

(6)

Morando²³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

(7)

Princess Zoe¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: A Mullins J: J M Sheridan

Forecasts

Trueshan (1/1), Stradivarius (7/2), Hamish (11/2), Baron Samedi (9/1), Princess Zoe (10/1), The Mediterranean (12/1), Berkshire Rocco (25/1), Roberto Escobarr (33/1), Tashkhan (50/1), Morando (50/1), Master Of Reality (80/1), Nicholas T (200/1)

TRUESHAN took this impressively 12 months ago and Alan King's 5-y-o appeals as very much the one to beat again on the back of his taking victory over Stradivarius in Longchamp's Prix du Cadran. John Gosden's legendary stayer is still much respected but William Haggas's lightly-raced Hamish is feared most on this occasion now he gets his first chance over 2m with ground conditions to suit too.