1.50 Ascot
QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 3) (Class
1)
Advice: 1 pt win Fame & Glory (11/4 general)
Chiberta King: Seemingly lost his way a little bit but back
in form the last thrice, when fourth in fiercely contested long – distance
handicap before winning easily; Made to work hard for Listed success last time
out at Sandown and may owe that in part to a very strong finish from his rider;
Seemed held on last three starts and others make more appeal. 
Darley Sun: Looked like a stayer of real potential when winning
four handicaps including the Cesarewitch and finishing second in the Doncaster
Cup; Hasn't built on that since
switching to Godolphin and while his eighth from a poor draw in the Chester Cup
shows some ability, others have far more going for them. 
Fame & Glory: Top class middle distance horse last year
who has replicated that form at marathon trips, running out a ready winner of
the Ascot Gold Cup after unconvincing trials; Same story again when unable to
find a way past Fictional Account but ran is if abnormal when 23 lengths behind
Duncan in Irish St Ledger; Can win this well at his best but hard to know if
that’s the case. 
Nehaam: Back to something like best last twice, when second
in Old Newton Cup and then brushed aside by Times Up (getting 3lbs to badly in
today); Shouldn’t be reversing form with that
rival.
Opinion Poll: Made steady progress last season when winning
Group 2 event and threatened to take a Group 1 last season, with creditable
efforts in top staying races; Turned into a rock solid stayer this season,
coming third after suffering trouble passage in Gold Cup behind Fame And Glory
before then complotting cup double; Saddler’s Rock too good for whatever reason
when it looked as if he was going to win with ease last time 
Times Up: Resumed progression from last season (when ready
winner of November Handicap) when winning big handicap and then when running
out a ready winner of a Listed event; Gap s didn’t come for him in Group 2 (should
have won) but put that right with excellent win in Listed event latest; Trainer
has good record in this and makes a lot of appeal. 
Motrice: Highly-progressive filly, having won 3 on trot over
1m6f last season; Good win in Windflower March Stakes although that race was
very much set up for her and has work to do based on latest Doncaster Cup
third. 
Polly’s Mark: Admirable mare who has run with credit on all
occasions this season, bumping into some classy performers but no answer to top
class horses on all occasions this season and hard to see her having the toe for
this.
Color Vision: Brave race when third in Cesarawitch, having
made Keys work very hard for his win at Ascot; Has bounced back to form the
last twice after some poor runs in-between
and not without a chance if handicap form is to be taken literally. 
Eternal Heart: Good, solid third in Queen’s Vase (form that’s
been well represented enough since) but not run anywhere near as well and has five
lengths to make up on Motrice in front.
VERDICT: A good race to start what should be a brilliant day's racing, and good to see a strong stayer's turnout with the first two from the Gold Cup appearing. it’s
a big If that FAME AND GLORY can run to something like his best but the fact he’s
travelled over suggests connections have some confidence in his chance and he
could be the best of these. Opinion Poll should go well and the relentlessly
progressive Times Up will have his followers given the doubts over the top 2,
while best of the rest might be Colour Vision.
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