The Group-Two British Champions Long Distance Cup kicks off a fantastic Ascot card on Saturday with a star-studded renewal headlined by Ascot Gold Cup-winner and Arc-third Order Of St George for the irrepressible Aidan O’Brien.
Odds-on across the board, I think there’s much better value elsewhere in a race featuring plenty of in-form horses.
The Arc was probably a weak renewal so I’d be cautious about marking that form up too highly, and the fact he was beaten by Wicklow Brave in the Irish St Leger at odds of 1/7 rubbishes any talk of him being unbeatable in this far tougher race.
Quest For More had his day in the sun recently in the relocated Prix du Cadran at Chantilly a few weeks ago, supplementing a fine short-head second to Sheikhzayedroad at Doncaster and an impressive win at York.
A switch to front-running tactics seems to have been the making of Roger Charlton’s gelding, and it’d be a surprise if similar tactics weren’t employed again at Ascot.
He has, however, been aggressively – and successfully – campaigned of late, and those three hard races in quick succession may take its toll.
It’s officially good ground at the moment, but given the time of year I’m doubting it’d play to Quest For More’s strengths as he’s a known fast-ground lover and there are others in the race who will be better suited.
Order Of St George is one of them but I’m having a hard time deserting my old favourite SIMPLE VERSE, the Classic-winning filly who recently bounced back to form at Doncaster after what was starting to look like a poor season.
She’s a two-time Group-One winner having been successful on this card last in the Fillies and Mares Stakes later on the card, and connections have claimed she’s been targeting another success on this card all season.
As a St Leger winner she’s a known stayer, but this two-mile trip still represents the longest distance she’ll have raced in her career.
I see that as a positive, though, as when on top-form she is really strong at the finish and leaves the impression that the further she goes, the better she’ll be.
At 11/2, fresh, in form, proven at Ascot, proven this time of year and unexposed at the trip, she has all the credentials to give the favourite a lot to think about.
Paddy Power offer money back as a free bet if second to the favourite, and that looks the smart play, each-way.
2014 winner Forgotten Rules is worthy of mention, but the truth is he’s been nowhere near that level since and probably wants a lot more rain than he’ll get.
1pt each-way Simple Verse @11/2, 13:25 Ascot, Saturday
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