QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2) - all the news & quotes

Published 2020/10/17

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The 10th QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot got off to a sensational start as Trueshan (11/1) landed the G2 QIPCO British Champions Day Long Distance Cup.

It was a first QIPCO British Champions Day success for both trainer Alan King and jockey Hollie Doyle.

The four-year-old travelled strongly throughout the two-mile contest and moved up smoothly to challenge for the lead a quarter of a mile from home.

After swooping to take up the running entering the final furlong, the result was never in doubt with Trueshan lengthening impressively to score by seven and a half lengths from Search For A Song.

The 11/10 favourite Stradivarius was under pressure before the home turn and came home 12th of the 13 runners.

A delighted Hollie Doyle, who becomes the first woman jockey to win a race on QIPCO British Champions Day, said:

"That was incredible; he has given me some feel there, I travelled all over them. I had Stradivarius on my inside, he came off it probably three-and-a-half/four down.

"He doesn't like being crowded, so I switched him at the three pole and the further I went the better.

"This is a proper horse. I rode him on his first two wins and have always liked him, but I am not going to lie, I didn't realise he would be up to G2 level like today.

"I have to pinch myself really, that was absolutely amazing. I rode Trueshan at Wolverhampton when he won and it was a bit of a surprise, and then he went and bolted up at Ffos Las. I haven't been on him since as I haven't been able to ride him, but I am really grateful to the owners and Alan for putting me back on him today. It was great.

"He was almost over-travelling with me, I had to stay out a bit wide for the first three furlongs and luckily I managed to slot in and get a nice position upsides Stradivarius. The further I was going, the better and he was tanking me - he went through the ground like a tractor, he loved it! "

The pace was reasonable but Trueshan was over-travelling, it felt like we were hacking round. Probably three and a half, four down, Stradivarius came off it, but he can do that sometimes, so I didn't think too much of it.

I switched my fellow around horses because they said he didn't like getting too crowded in the Ebor.

When I pushed the button, he responded. It is testing. It's wet, heavy ground and it's hard work.

"I am really happy people are seeing me as just a jockey and not a female jockey. Shout out to Alan King because he is some trainer."

Hollie Doyle and Trueshan

1.20pm G2 QIPCO British Champions Day Long Distance Cup 1m 7f 209y

1 TRUESHAN - Alan King 4-9-07 Hollie Doyle 11/1

2 Search For A Song - Dermot Weld IRE 4-9-04 Oisin Murphy 7/1

3 Fujaira Prince - Roger Varian 6-9-07 Andrea Atzeni 10/1

Winner owned by Barbury Lions 5

Breeder: Didier Blot, in France Breeding: b g Planteur (IRE) - Shao Line (FR) (General Holme (USA))

Alan King - 1st winner on QIPCO British Champions Day

Hollie Doyle - 1st winner on QIPCO British Champions Day 13 ran

Time: 3m 35.75s

Distances: 7½, ½

Tote Win: £12.55

Places: £4.10 £2 £2.95

Exacta: £90.30 11/10 Stradivarius (12th) 

This year marks the 10th year of both QIPCO British Champions Day and QIPCO British Champions Series.

The Series showcases 35 of the UK's finest Flat races which are run at all of the UK's most iconic Flat festivals, from the Derby and St Leger, to Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot, presenting unparalleled, quality racing across 10 of the country's finest racecourses.

It showcases world-class sporting action across five different categories - Sprint, Mile, Middle Distance, Long Distance and Fillies & Mares.

The Series culminates in QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot racecourse on Saturday 17th October, the most valuable raceday in the UK with £2.5 million in prize money on offer.

The day also boasts an unprecedented UK card comprising four Group 1 contests; a Group 2 and competitive mile handicap. Race schedule:

● 1.20pm - The QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 2)

● 1.55pm - The QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1)

● 2.30pm - The QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1)

● 3.05pm - The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Sponsored by QIPCO (Group 1)

● 3.40pm - The QIPCO Champion Stakes (Group 1)

● 4.15pm - The Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored by QIPCO)