We are in for a treat here with last season’s defending champion, Trawlerman, looking to defend his crown against star stayer Kyprios.
Throw in the fast improver Al Nayyir and some staying favourites, and we will start 2024 Chamionps Day with a bang.
Here, I give you my thoughts on all nine runners with my runner-by-runner betting guide and the best online bookmakers to help you make your next bet a winning one.
Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup: Runner by runner guide
Now it’s time to take a in-dept looking into runners of the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup and the best horse racing bookmakers to help you make a winning bet.
Kyprios
Age: 6
Form: 111111
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Odds: 4/5
There is no doubt that Kyprios sits at the top of the staying division and is more than worthy of his short odds here.
He is six from six this season, and his last defeat came in this very race last season when he was defeated by reposing Trawlerman.
Granted, he had a rushed prep last season and was coming in here on the back of one run from a 344-day absence due to injury, but you still expected him to win.
This year has been much more like it, with four Grade 1 wins in a row, including a one-length victory over Trawlerman in the Ascot Gold Cup.
Not much separates them on that run, and it should be close between them once again.
The only thing with Kyprios is that this will be his 7th run of the season.
But will it be one too many?
The star stayer
4 back to back Group 1s this season
Wins on all kinds of ground
This will be his 7th run of the season
Star Rating:
Bet on Kyprios with talkSPORT BET
Trawlerman
Age: 6
Form: 111-32
Jockey: William Buick
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Odds: 4/1
The reigning champion comes in here with every chance of retaining his crown.
Last seen when finishing 2nd to Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup, Trawlerman has been freshened up with this in mind.
He doesn’t have much to find with Kyprios on their meeting in the Gold Cup, and he is one of the few horses who have gotten the better of the star stayer since he has tackled the marathon trips.
I see this being a race with fine margins, and Trawlerman’s freshness could be key to the finish.
Last season’s winner
Comes here fresh
Soft ground is an unknown
Star Rating:
Al Nayyir
Age: 6
Form: 242521
Jockey: Luke Morris
Trainer: Tom Clover
Odds: 6/1
Since coming over from France and now in the care of Tom Clover, Al Nayyir has impressed in his two runs in the UK to date.
A fine short head 2nd when just running out of time to reel in Vauban in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup was followed by an 8-length demolition job back in Listed company in September.
This is another big ask for Al Nayyir to take on the likes of Kyprios and Trawlerman, but if he can show that his 8 length victory at Newmarket was not a fluke, then there is a big chance that he can mix it with the top two here.
He is a stayer who travels well into his races and finds another gear when asked. Given his hold-up style, if the top two get into a heated battle a long way out, it’s not beyond the realms of impossibility that Al Nayyir could swoop late and fast to cause an upset.
I know he has lots to find, but we have seen in the past that end-of-season races can produce crazy results.
At 6/1, he is a standout each-way bet here.
Has found a big jolt of improvement since joining Tom Clover
Looks to have a lot more to come
Faces two top-class stayers
Star Rating:
Bet on Al Nayyir with Spreadex
Sweet William
Age: 5
Form: -31321
Jockey: Robert Havlin
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Odds: 8/1
He’s not a horse I am overly fond of, but I can’t fault Sweet William’s win record.
When facing Kyprois, he has consistently fallen short of the mark.
He is undoubtedly coming in here on top of his game after a 1-length victory over Tureshan in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup. Still, he needs to find something out of nowhere to beat not only Kyprios but also his stablemate, Trawlerman.
A place finish is the best he can do here.
Group 2 winner last time out
Has yet to finish in front of Kyprois
Star Rating:
Bet on Sweet William with VBET
Belloccio
Age: 6
Form: -31321
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Odds: 33/1
There is more hope of spotting Bigfoot than seeing a first-sting Willie Mullins horse in a Group/Graded race at odds of 33/1 ever again.
Since moving from David Menuisier to Willie Mullins, Belloccio is 2 from 2. A maiden hurdle win at Punchestown was followed up with a win in the Copper House Handicap at Royal Ascot.
This is another significant step up in Grade and will test him on the back of a break.
I can see him running well, but this should be too hot for him before he heads back hurdling.
A good winner of a Royal Ascot handicap
Has yet to show that he is anywhere near this level
Star Rating:
The Euphrates
Age: 3
Form: 561241
Jockey: Christophe Soumillon
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Odds: 33/1
Just like in the Irish St Leger, The Euphrates is likely to be used to ensure an end-to-end gallop for Kyprios and that Trawlerman doesn’t get an easy time of it upfront.
It’s hard to see him getting involved if those tactics are deployed.
Will make sure the race is a true test of stamina
Only here to make the pace
Star Rating:
Burdett Road
Age: 4
Form: 3-5041
Jockey: Harry Davies
Trainer: James Owen
Odds: 40/1
James Owen is fast making a name for himself in the training ranks, and this horse, Burdett Road, is arguably his flagship horse.
This time last year, he wasn’t far off from making his hurdles debut and putting himself at the top of the Triumph Hurdle market early in the season.
He eventually went on to win a Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting but has only been seen once more over hurdles since.
Having come back to the flat in July of this year, it hasn’t been plain sailing until he bounced back to form with a back when powering away to win a Listed race at Newmarket by over 8 lengths.
He will surely be another who is looking to make the running. With The Euphrates and possibly Trawlerman looking to be up with the pace, he may get into a pace duel early on.
If that is the case, then his race may be run before he makes the turn into the home straight for the second time.
A likeable horse who may find things too tough today.
A wide-margin winner last time out
May do too much too soon
Not up to this level
Star Rating:
Bet on Burdett Road with Betfred
Alsakib
Age: 4
Form: -63417
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Odds: 66/1
I always try to find some positives with every runner, but it’s hard to make a case for Alsakib here.
Not only does he have ground to make up with Belloccio on their meeting at Royal Ascot, but he has just under 11 lengths to find with Al Nayyir.
He looks very much out of his depth here.
Hard to spot any apparent positives
Out of his depth
Star Rating:
Bet on Alsakib with talkSPORT BET
Caius Chorister
Age: 5
Form: 226420
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: David Menuisier
Odds: 80/1
Sandown in May, she would have a place squeak here.
But after watching her last run at Longchamp, she looks like she has had enough for the season.
She has the talent to get involved, but whether she will show it or not is another thing.
It’s best to sit back and watch her today.
Has it in her to run will
It looks like she has had enough for the season
Star Rating:
Bet on Caius Chorister with BetMGM
Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup verdict
If all is well with Kyprios on his seventh start of the season, he will undoubtedly take the beating here. But at the prices, I am more than happy to let him run.
I’m going to take a chance with Al Nayyir each way.
He has shown considerable improvement since moving to Tom Clover, and after a facile 8-length victory last time out, he may be about to put in another career best on the ground he handles.
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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