13:25 Ascot

Saturday 15 October 2022

All13:2514:0014:4015:2016:0016:40

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 3m 30.22s

(3)

Coltrane³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| C| D

10/1

Much improved performer this season, bagging his third win in Doncaster Cup last month by a neck from below-par Trueshan. Holds place claims.

Form: 211421

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(2)

Quickthorn¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 117| C| D

11/1

Very smart gelding who completed his hat-trick in fine style in Lonsdale Cup at Doncaster in August. Tailed-off sixth in Prix du Cadran at Longchamp 14 days ago though so he has something to prove now.

Form: 221116

(7)

Stratum^b1,t1³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 108| C| D

66/1

Useful gelding who bounced back to form with victory in Queen Alexandra Stakes here in June. Tailed-off last of 6 to Coltrane in Doncaster Cup at Doncaster since and blinkers/tongue tie now go on.

Form: 140-016

(4)

Trawlerman^h⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106

20/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who has got back on the up of late, making all in Ebor Handicap at York in August. This demands major improvement if he's to get the hat-trick up.

Form: 6-10011

(5)

Trueshan³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 123| BF| CD

11/8

Top-class performer who completed a 5-timer with superb weight-carrying performance in Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. Well below-par second to Coltrane in Doncaster Cup last time however so he needs to get back on track if he's to complete a hat-trick in this event. Big chance if he can.

Form: 11-1132

(6)

Wordsworth²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF

33/1

Smart colt but he's winless since his reappearance. Set a lot to do when thirteenth of 30 to stablemate Waterville in Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh 20 days ago but others are easily preferred.

Form: 143730

(1)

Eldar Eldarov³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 116| C

11/4

Progressive colt who landed the St Leger at Doncaster last month by 2 lengths from New London on just his fifth start. Earlier won the Queen's Vase here and he's a big player with this step up to 2m sure to bring about further improvement.

Form: 1-1141

(8)

Waterville²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107

11/2

Fast improving Irish stayer who took his form up another notch when landing 30-runner Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh last month in remarkable style having been set a tremendous amount to do. This is much tougher but he has plenty more to offer and rates a most interesting prospect.

Form: 323121

Forecasts

Trueshan (11/8), Eldar Eldarov (11/4), Waterville (11/2), Coltrane (10/1), Quickthorn (11/1), Trawlerman (20/1), Wordsworth (33/1), Stratum (66/1)

A fascinating Long Distance Cup to kick off Champions Day and it could pay to side with Aidan O'Brien's rapidly improving WATERVILLE who gained a remarkable success in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh and can now announce himself as a big player in the staying division. St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov should relish this step up to 2m and rates a big threat while Trueshan can't be taken lightly either in his bid for a hat-trick in this event despite being well below par in the Doncaster Cup.