1m7½f ((Inner) Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+)
There is no doubt that Kyprios is a class stayer that has carried all before him this season despite a near career-ending injury in 2023. He has been superb all season and will most likely win the Long Distance Cup, but he is having one more run this season than he has had in the past and only ran over 2m 4f in France two weeks ago. So if there is a potential chink in honour it may just be that he is over the top.
I think there will be a fair amount of pace in this race for all that it is a two mile affair with The Euphretes and Burdett Road capable of setting a testing gallop.
Last year, Trawlerman won this contest and he comes here fresh, but AL NAYYIR might be the staying horse on the upgrade here. It’s difficult to get a handle on just how good he is having finished second in the Dubai Gold Cup in March. Al Nayyir has run twice for Tom Clover. He was unlucky not to beat Vauban when just running out of road at York on her first start for the yeard and he was hugely impressive when dismissing Harbour Wind and a Listed field on soft ground at Newmarket.
Al Nayyir looks like a horse on the upgrade, he should be fresh for this race and could potentially be a special stayer that is being peaked to pounce if Kyprios is slightly off his game.
1pt win Al Nayyir @13/2, 13:20 Ascot, Saturday
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