13:30 Ascot

Saturday 17 October 2026

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:2016:0016:35

Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 25.60s

(5)

Amiloc^p1³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 114| C

22/1

A 3-time winner in 2025, including in the Group 2 King Edward VII at the Royal Meeting here. Posted a solid sixth in the Hardwicke here in June and back on song with victory in 4-runner conditions event at Salisbury (1¾m, soft) last month. Cheekpieces go on now and this demands a personal best.

Form: 4-66U71

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(6)

Caballo De Mar^b,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: George Scott| OR: 117| D

5/1

Game and likeable stayer who has bounced back in fine style with victories in the Doncaster Cup and Prix du Cadran (2½m, good) in the last month, gamely edging out Scandinavia on latter occasion. Set for another big run.

Form: 210411

(9)

Daiquiri Bay⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: A King| OR: 110| C

17/2

Proving highly progressive and went 3-3 this season with victory in 22-runner Ebor Handicap at York (1¾m, good to soft) in August, adding to his earlier win in the Copper Horse at the Royal Meeting here. Tenacious sort and can't be totally dismissed in this higher grade on his first try at 2m.

Form: 353-111

(4)

Gregory²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| C| D

10/3

Infrequently raced in recent seasons but back from a 16-month absence (had a breathing operation) better than ever with wins in listed events at York in June and Newmarket (2m) last month, scoring by 11 lengths on latter occasion. Comes here fresher than most and not out of things.

Form: 335/7-11

(3)

Mount Atlas⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 112| C

33/1

Smart and reliable performer who gained a first pattern success in Group 3 Silver Cup at York (1¾m) in July. Backed it up with a solid third in Lonsdale Cup there (2m, good to soft) last time. A fair bit more is required here, however.

Form: 4-22313

(7)

Opportunity⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| BF| C

16/1

Much improved this season having been gelded, following up his ready Carlisle success in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. Took his form up another level with a neck third of 22 in the Ebor at York (1¾m, good to soft) last time. This demands more but he could be up to it on his first go at 2m.

Form: 9-31123

(8)

Queenstown^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114

14/1

Smart stayer. Not seen out until August this season but made a winning return in Group 3 at the Curragh and has backed it up with good placed efforts in the Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran (behind Caballo de Mar) since. Possibilities.

Form: 332-123

(1)

Quickthorn³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: H Morrison| OR: 106| C| D

150/1

A very useful stayer at his best. Returned from 2 years off with an encouraging fifth in the Lonsdale Cup at York (2m) in August but trailed in a remote last of 4 behind Amiloc in conditions event at Salisbury since.

Form: 5461/54

(2)

Highwayman³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 117

7/4

Upwardly-mobile young stayer who enjoyed his finest hour when completing a hat-trick in 11-runner St Leger at Doncaster last month, staying on strongly. Has more to offer still over this longer trip and could be the way to go.

Form: 008111

(10)

Amelia Earhart¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Colin Keane| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

20/1

Made a successful return in the Cheshire Oaks and back in top form this autumn with third in the St Leger at Doncaster and Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp (1¾m, good). This is a tough ask, though.

Form: 655233

Forecasts

Highwayman (7/4), Gregory (10/3), Caballo De Mar (5/1), Daiquiri Bay (17/2), Queenstown (14/1), Opportunity (16/1), Amelia Earhart (20/1), Amiloc (22/1), Mount Atlas (33/1), Quickthorn (150/1)

Joseph O'Brien's upwardly-mobile stayer HIGHWAYMAN can add to his St Leger triumph and extend his winning sequence to 4 with this first go over 2m bound to suit. Caballo de Mar is a big threat on the back of his game Prix du Cadran success from the absent Scandinavia, although the rejuvenated Gregory is also well in the mix and Ebor 1-3 Daiquiri Bay and Opportunity rate lively outsiders too in this fascinating clash.