QIPCO Champions Day

The biggest day in British horse racing history may have slightly been slightly overshadowed by the jockey protests in response to recent changes in the whip rule but we are here to focus on the racing. Not only is this the biggest day in terms of prize money due to the recently created British Champions Series sponsored by Sheikh Fahad who has done his utmost to reinvigorate the sport and bring it to the masses, but it will also be a bumper day in terms of the Scoop6.

QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 3) 2m


The best horse in the race is Fame & Glory. Having won the Ascot Gold Cup over 2 1/2 miles back in June he has put up 2 disappointing runs since when failing to catch Fictional Account in the Irish Leger trial and when finishing well off the pace in the Irish Leger proper. However he is by far the class horse in the field and if Vincent O'Brien can get him firing after poor runs as he has others on many occasions before, he is the one to beat.
The likely favourite will be the Godolphin trained Opinion Poll ridden by crowd favourite Frankie Dettori. Opinion Poll has been at his best this year having won two group 2s and placed in another as well as finishing second in the Ascot Gold Cup. He was given far too much to do on that occasion having been held up from well off the pace and was a fast finishing but never nearer second. His last run was over 2m2f where he tired inside the final furlong to allow Saddler's Rock to pass comfortably. However he was giving away a lump of weight and this will be a slight drop in trip. I think that this may be one run too many as he has been on the go for much of this season and his style of running usually requires him to be cajoled late on which goes against the style suited by the new whip rules.
Another to consider is the John Dunlop trained Times Up who has been very consistent this year having won 3 from 6 and having been placed in another 2 of those occasions. He won a listed race last time out on his first attempt over the trip but the manner of that victory suggests he could go well here although it has to be noted he has never won a group race.
Colour Vision should also be noted as he receives weight from all but one of his market rivals and he finished 3rd in the Cambridgeshire the other week. This is a clear step up in class but being based in Mark Johnston's stable you can be sure he will have taken his races well and could be a player for the places.

Recommended bet: Fame & Glory if back to his peak will win and at current prices of 4.5 on Betfair he would be my bet with a small saver on Times Up.