Weird Al for the Hennessy Gold Cup?

Donald McCain remains reluctant to commit the talented but fragile Weird Al to the Hennessy Gold Cup after his win at Wetherby.

The injury-plagued eight-year-old leapt to favouritism in some books for the Newbury showpiece with victory in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase. It was a fine comeback run, his first since being pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he burst a blood vessel, and a dream debut for the McCain stable after moving from the Ian Williams yard.


"He's been out in the paddock this morning and is fine, no problems," said the Cholmondeley handler.

"I don't know about the Hennessy. I need to talk to the owners and have a chat about it.

"He's a horse that needs some managing so we have to do what's best for him.

"He's a class horse. It was a good performance yesterday and we want to do the job right."

Looking Ahead To The Paddy Power Gold Cup At Cheltenham

Nick Gifford is looking forward to saddling both Tullamore Dew and Nomecheki in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on November 12.

Tullamore Dew has good form at Prestbury Park having finished second in the Coral Cup and third in the Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase at the last two Festivals. The nine-year-old ran with plenty of credit when fifth in the Silver Trophy over hurdles at Chepstow on Saturday and Gifford is looking forward to seeing him return to Prestbury Park.

Gifford said: "The plan is for Tullamore Dew to run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. I couldn't be happier with him after his run at the weekend. He needed every yard of the two and a half miles at Chepstow and, because they go that bit quicker over hurdles, it caught him out a little bit but he was doing all of his best work at the end. That will have put him spot on for Cheltenham."


He added: "He is a good jumper and he loves Cheltenham - he's run two very good races there over the past two years. Ideally, we would like good to soft ground but he is a very versatile horse.

"We think that he is going to end up over three miles at some point in his career and it might be this season. The Paddy Power Gold Cup will tell us a lot about where we go with him for the rest of the campaign."

Nomecheki is a much bigger price in ante-post lists but Gifford feels he will benefit from a step up in trip, having finished a fine second to the high-class Tataniano at Chepstow over the weekend.

"Nomecheki also ran well at Chepstow and he is a horse who is probably not quite good enough over two miles, so we will step him up in trip and I think that he will appreciate a race like the Paddy Power," Gifford added.

"He is a very sound jumper with not too many miles on the clock. He travelled very well on Saturday but was totally outclassed by the winner - they think that Tataniano is a Tingle Creek horse, so it was no disgrace to come home second behind him."


An entry of 51 has been received for the £150,000 contest, with champion trainer Paul Nicholls entering the likes of ante-post favourite Mon Parrain, Poquelin and exciting French recruit Kauto Stone, a half-brother to stablemate Kauto Star. Other notable entries include Ferdy Murphy's Festival winner Divers, high-class chaser Wishfull Thinking and Great Endeavour.


The latter's trainer, David Pipe, said: "I've entered Great Endeavour and we'll see closer to the time whether he runs. He's done very well over the summer and strengthened up. That last run at Liverpool came at the end of a long season and he was disappointing, but I do think that he can bounce back this year."

bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby Preview

Weird Al is set to have his first start for Donald McCain in what is shaping up to be a fascinating bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday.

The eight-year-old looked destined for the top when making it four from four over fences for Ian Williams at Carlisle on this weekend a year ago, but the rest of his campaign failed to live up to expectations, as he was found to be suffering from a breathing problem when disappointing in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and broke a blood vessel on his final start in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.


McCain said: "There is a strong possibility he'll run in the Charlie Hall. I've been very happy with him at home. He's a grand horse and a quality horse, so we'll see how we get on. We'll know a lot more after Saturday."

Will Kennedy is looking forward to riding Time For Rupert, a winner of two of his three starts over fences as a novice before suffering a broken blood vessel when favourite for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Kennedy said: "We found after Cheltenham that he had bled and it obviously came from the lung infection that was very small and kept him out of the Argento Chase (in January). You can't go into Cheltenham less than 110%. To finish fifth was still a very good run really and I knew very early that things weren't right.

"He seems really good. I worked him on the grass last week and he felt well in himself. I schooled him over nine fences on Tuesday morning and he jumped really well. He feels in good form and ready for Saturday.

"Wetherby is probably a good track for him. It's a proper jumps track and he's a proper chaser."

Wylie/Nicholls combination off to winning start.

Prospect Wells got the Graham Wylie/Paul Nicholls combination off to the best possible start when making a winning debut over jumps at Chepstow.

Former smart Flat racer Prospect Wells was among the horses leading owner Wylie transferred to the champion handler when his long-time trainer Howard Johnson was banned for four years earlier this year. The horse almost died following complications after a gelding operation went wrong earlier in his career, but all that is clearly well behind him.


The six-year-old looks to have a bright future after landing division one of the toteplacepot Novices' Hurdle by four and a half lengths from Battlecat. Prospect Wells (11-4) put in a good round of jumping for Daryl Jacob and was soon in control after taking the lead at the second-last.

"That was very pleasing. He's a lovely horse and has tons of ability, but it took a long time to get him ready to run over jumps. He wasn't very good when Howard (Johnson) was first trying him out," said Wylie.

"All credit to Paul Nicholls for getting him to win, but also to Howard Johnson for saving his life because he had great problems with his operations. I think because of all that he needed a year off just to recover from the exhaustion of the operations.


"He's a lovely prospect, Paul was very impressed with him, so we'll see where we go from now. He jumped great and he seemed to enjoy it. He jumped the first flight beautifully and the others as well, even when he got barged into it."

Prospect Wells was given a quote of 20-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Old Roan Chase Preview

Nicky Richards is preparing for an emotional afternoon at Aintree on Saturday as he takes Monet's Garden back to Merseyside to parade before the Old Roan Chase.

The bold-jumping grey recorded his third victory in the Grade Two contest in 2010 which proved to be his final racecourse appearance, with a hoof infection forcing his retirement - and also threatening his life.

The 13-year-old eventually made a full recovery and will be back in the parade ring this weekend prior to the newly-named Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase.

"I was half-thinking I'd missed the entries and I should be running him!" said Richards.

"He's all polished up and ready to go and I think he's looking forward to it.

"It will be quite emotional taking him back to Aintree, but hopefully there will be an awful lot of people happy to see him.

"He has a great following in Liverpool and has made a few friends, so it will be nice for them to see him again.

"I'm sure it will be a nice day."

Meanwhile, Owner Clive Smith feels everything is in Master Minded's favour as he makes his eagerly-awaited return to action.


Champion trainer Paul Nicholls had a late change of heart over where the eight-times Grade One-winning chaser would begin his season, as it had been thought he would be heading for Ascot next month for the Amlin 1965 Chase, but as that is the same day as the Betfair Chase at Haydock, Ruby Walsh would have had to choose between riding Master Minded or his beloved Kauto Star.

Master Minded looked back to his imperious best when last in action over two and a half miles at the Grand National meeting, and the first half of his season will be built around a crack at Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run in the King George over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Smith said: "He's in very good shape and Paul was pleased with how he worked on Thursday morning. We think this is a nice prep race for him and probably actually fits in better time-wise than the race at Ascot on November 19.


"It also means we have Ruby, of course, which is a big plus. We'll see how he gets on. We know he likes the track and the trip, so everything looks to be in his favour. It would be nice to give Long Run some opposition in the King George, but we'll take it one race at a time."

Master Minded faces just two rivals, with Jonjo O'Neill's Albertas Run reopposing having been firmly put in his place in the Melling Chase.

Completing the field is Peter Bowen's Pure Faith, who is the best part of 2st out of the handicap.

Racing Post Trophy Preview

Joseph O'Brien is on the red-hot favourite for the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster when he rides Camelot for his father, Aidan.

The youngster has been making great strides this season and won the Irish 2,000 Guineas earlier in the year on Roderic O'Connor, while Camelot was sent off the 1-3 favourite on his debut at Leopardstown in June and did not disappoint his army of backers when winning by two lengths.


Joseph O'Brien said: "He did it nicely first time out, he was very professional. He's had a nice break since then. He's been brought along gently and he seems in good form."

He added: "I ride him in all his work at home. You'd like to think that he has matured mentally as well as physically since his first run. The ground should be fine. As long as it's not too soft, nobody can have a complaint - it should be beautiful."

Whip Rule Law...jockeys have given a mixed response

Leading jockeys have given a mixed response to the amended new whip regulations announced today by the British Horseracing Authority.

Among the changes - which came into immediate effect - are the removal of the five-hit rule inside the final furlong/after the last obstacle, and riders will now not lose their riding fee if suspended for a whip offence.

They will also only lose their percentage of prize-money if their offence earns a ban of seven days or more, rather than the three days the rules originally stated, but dissatisfaction remains among riders at the strength of penalties for minor breaches of the rules, and former champion Jamie Spencer voiced his displeasure with the Professional Jockeys Association.

Spencer told At The Races: "I think history is repeating itself like on every other issue, we're weak with no strength behind us and everybody waves the flag too easy. I'm disappointed with a lot of the guys that have taken it all lying down.

"French jockeys stick together, the Australians stuck together over the whip and this is why we're probably racing for peanuts everyday of the week. We never put a fight up for anything, we take everything lying down. I'm just disappointed with everybody. Nobody is bothered about the seven strikes, it's just the penalties, they don't add up."


Current title holder Paul Hanagan hopes there is still room for manoeuvre over penalties.

He said: "I was made up they did away with the five hits inside the final furlong and gave us our riding fee back, but I still think the severity of a five-day ban is too much. That's coming from me, and I very rarely get banned, I've had to adapt to the rules over the years but there are some lads not in the position I'm in getting five or 10 days, it could finish some lads.

"They are only trying to make a living. It is hard enough as it is. Some of them wouldn't be making a living, it will be costing them to come racing. I think there could be further problems if they don't get the five days down. A lot of lads are saying we need more than seven (hits) but I can put up with seven - as long as the days come down. It will be even harder for the lads over jumps."


Steve Drowne believes there remains a possibility of strike action.

He said: "No-one's happy about the new rules, but it depends upon the grade of unhappiness. We'll have a meeting and judge the mood. There are always going to be conflicting opinions and if lads don't feel strongly about it, then they shouldn't strike. If they do (feel strongly), then we could."

Whip Rules Update

The Professional Jockeys Association issued a statement calling on riders not to take strike action as the row over new whip rules introduced by the British Horseracing Authority continues.

Leading jockeys gave a mixed response to today`s amendments to the new regulations, which were brought into effect on October 10. Among the changes are the removal of the five-hit rule inside the final furlong/after the last obstacle.

Riders will now not lose their riding fee if suspended for a whip offence, and will also only lose their percentage of prize-money if their offence earns a ban of seven days or more, rather than the three days the rules originally stated.

It`s NOT Fair...or is it?

Brian Hughes believes he and eight fellow jumps jockeys were unfairly punished for failing to pull up during a race that was declared void at Wetherby.

The nine riders failed in their appeals against 10-day suspensions in the race at the West Yorkshire track on October 12, with 16-times champion Tony McCoy and leading riders Graham Lee, Paddy Brennan and Denis O'Regan also among those found guilty of failing to stop after a yellow flag was shown due to a stricken horse on the course.

The British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel upheld the bans (October 26-November 4) at an appeal hearing in London on Wednesday.

"I'm obviously disappointed. Myself and the other eight lads are getting penalised for, let's be frank, something that was the groundstaff's fault," Hughes, who won the voided race aboard Cunning Clarets, told Racing UK.


"The fellow (head groundsman Ian Ward) thought he was doing the right thing and he had the yellow flag, but he didn't have the right flag up because there was no obstruction. It came out in the Press that there was no contact between the clerk of the course and the head groundsman that day and we're being punished and we're the bad people.

"We're not going to be able to earn for 10 days and it's good racing. Us northern jockeys are missing six northern meetings, which is a lot. The rules say the yellow flag means stop, but they also say you should only have one coloured flag.

"Clearly, there was a lot of confusion at Wetherby and we could see in the distance the two chequered flags. The hurdle wasn't dolled off, so we continued. There was no-one's safety at risk and the stricken horse wasn't even on the racing line.


"Wetherby are basically at fault here because we are getting punished for a mistake that they made.

"We were told yesterday that it was orders from London that gave us the ban, so they obviously don't think much of the local stewards. We feel very hard done-by, but, at the end of the day, we've got to take it on the chin and go on."

More Trouble...10-day hearing into corruption began yesterday

A 10-day hearing into corruption began on Thursday at the British Horseracing Authority headquarters in London.

Jockeys Paul Doe, Greg Fairley, Kirsty Milczarek, Jimmy Quinn and former rider Paul Fitzsimons, now a trainer, are among 13 people alleged to have breached the rules of racing.

The allegations focus on horses being laid to lose on betting exchanges in 10 races that took place between January 17, 2009 and August 15, 2009. The hearing is expected to conclude on November 2.

It is alleged the jockeys conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice following a BHA investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races.

All of the jockeys deny any wrongdoing.

Registered owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore have also been charged with the same breach of the rules, along with six others - Peter Gold, Nick Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick, Darren May and Liam Vasey.

Racing Post Trophy Preview

Aidan O'Brien will saddle Camelot and Learn as he bids to land the Racing Post Trophy for a sixth time at Doncaster on Saturday.

Camelot heads the ante-post market, despite having only a Leopardstown debut success under his belt, while Learn's only victory from three starts came at the same venue.

There is a third Irish challenger in the shape of Jim Bolger's Zip Top, who was third to Crius in the Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket last time out and was added the race on Monday.


Godolphin rely on impressive Newmarket maiden winner Encke from Mahmood Al Zarooni's stable, another supplementary entry, while the John Gosden-trained Fencing and Jeremy Noseda's Talwar complete the line-up.

O'Brien's son Joseph takes the ride on Camelot, who is an 11-8 shot with Irish bookmakers Paddy Power, while Colm O'Donoghue will be aboard Learn.

Jockeys face serious charges at a British Horseracing Authority hearing.

Four jockeys are among 13 people who will face serious charges at a British Horseracing Authority hearing which begins on Thursday.

Paul Doe, Greg Fairley (photo), Kirsty Milczarek (photo), Jimmy Quinn and former rider Paul Fitzsimons, now a trainer, are alleged to have breached the rules of racing.

The allegations focus on horses being laid to lose on betting exchanges in 10 races that took place between January 17, 2009 and August 15, 2009. The hearing is scheduled to run for 10 days, concluding on November 2.


It is alleged the jockeys conspired to commit a corrupt or fraudulent practice following a BHA investigation into suspicious betting activity on a number of races.

Registered owners Maurice Sines and James Crickmore have also been charged with the same breach of the rules, along with six others - Peter Gold, Nick Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick, Darren May and Liam Vasey.


All of the individuals except the jockeys are alternatively/additionally charged with another breach in that it is alleged "they caused the jockey in the race to act by communicating to him directly or indirectly, at his request and for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, inside information in relation to the named horse".

Each of the jockeys is additionally charged with a different breach in that it is alleged "they communicated directly or indirectly to one or more betting exchange account holders, for material reward, gift, favour or benefit in kind, information relating to the prospects of the named horse".

As well as being charged for allegedly passing on information for reward, each of the jockeys has also been charged with "intentionally failing to ensure that their horse was run on its merits".


Doe has been charged in relation to five races combining both charges. The races took place at Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Kempton and Bath. Fairley has been charged in relation to four races, Quinn with two, and Milczarek and Fitzsimons to one race each.

The hearing is not open to the press. An update will be issued at the conclusion of proceedings on November 2, but a result is not anticipated to be reached and issued on that day.

Ouch...nine jockeys banned at Wetherby fail in their appeal

The nine jockeys banned for failing to pull up during a race that was declared void at Wetherby last Wednesday have failed in their appeal against 10-day suspensions.

Sixteen-times champion Tony McCoy and leading riders Graham Lee, Paddy Brennan and Denis O'Regan were among those found guilty of failing to stop after a yellow flag was shown due to a stricken horse on the course.

Danny Cook, Jonathon Bewley, Alexander Voy, Brian Hughes and Brian Toomey were the other riders who continued to race. The British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel upheld the bans (October 26-November 4) at an appeal hearing in London on Wednesday morning.

The Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter are two major races the jockeys will miss.


Solicitor Rory Mac Neice, representing the Wetherby jockeys, said: "The evidence showed riders were having to react to conflicting signals. They reacted to the last signal, which was two clearly deployed chequered flags, which are there to warn riders of a hazard, but not that the race should be stopped. We wait to hear the reasons given from the BHA disciplinary panel."

McCoy and O'Regan were present to give evidence, but a BHA disciplinary panel found the riders concerned ignored the deployment of the yellow flag and failed to pull up immediately.

McCoy later said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "We don't dispute the fact we should have stopped - the yellow flag means stop. But it was the conflicting messages we were getting when we saw the two chequered flags after the yellow flag that confused the whole issue. There should really be only one yellow flag, and that's what we got wrong.

"When we went to see the transcript, the decision was probably made by London (stewards), rather than Wetherby (stewards) which is a bit disappointing.


"I had given my evidence to a panel of stewards who I thought were the ones who were going to penalise me, and I came away hearing that the decision had been aided by what was going on in London."

Dream Ahead Retired

Multiple Group One winner Dream Ahead has been retired to stud.

The David Simcock-trained colt earned champion sprinter-elect honours this year with victories in the Darley July Cup, Betfred Sprint Cup and Qatar Prix de la Foret, where he beat wonder mare Goldikova.


Owned by Khalifa Dasmal, a share in the son of Diktat was recently sold to Ballylinch Stud, whose managing director John O'Connor told www.bloodhorse.com: "His defeat of Goldikova was a lovely note to end on. He has done everything that could have been asked of him, and there was no need to race again."

Following wins in the Darley Prix Morny and Shadwell Middle Park Stakes, Dream Ahead finished his juvenile campaign as the joint top-rated juvenile in Europe in company with Frankel.

His victory in the July Cup at Newmarket under Hayley Turner meant a first outright success in a British Group One contest for a female rider.


Simcock told www.ballylinchstud.com: "He's been a star right from day one and has been a joy to train. He is the soundest and most straightforward horse you could wish to find and I will be lucky if I can find another horse like him.

"His performance in the Middle Park was outstanding, when he beat good horses like Strong Suit and Approve by an easy nine lengths. He's a great looking horse with a fantastic temperament and I am sure he will be very successful at stud. I wish his new owners the very best of luck with him."

Frankel strolls to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Sir Henry Cecil's great champion Frankel strolled to a superb victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Officially rated the best horse in the world, the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt never looked in any danger as he extended his unbeaten record to nine in the Qipco-sponsored event.

Old rival Excelebration threatened to make a race of it at one stage, but the 4-11 favourite was asked to quicken away by Tom Queally and streaked four lengths clear, with French filly Immortal Verse in third.

Frankel returned to a rapturous reception from the packed grandstands and Queally said: "He was as good as ever. He's getting more professional and he's getting stronger, he's the real deal. Not that he wasn't before.


"The race did suit, but it didn't suit. Ian (Mongan, on Bullet Train) did a good job putting the pace to the race, but I couldn't get much cover. He lost his cover and I had to change plans a bit, but he waited until I gave him the office and you saw what happened after that.

"He was grown up enough that when there's horses in front of him he doesn't have to pass them until I say go. When I did say go he was electric.

"He's the horse of a lifetime for the public, let alone the jockey. It's difficult to explain what he means to me, I'm terribly, terribly lucky. I don't really feel the pressure but it's there. Luckily enough the whip debate took a lot of it off me this week. I would like to think I handle it pretty well, I enjoy it."


Cecil added: "He's a terrific horse. He's done everything we asked of him, and next year he will definitely get a mile and a quarter. I was nervous because everything has to go right, but he has really grown up and settles very well. He did it really well.

"It's been a long year and I'm looking forward to the winter. I'm very happy. He did everything that we asked, we weren't trying to catch pigeons or anything, we just wanted to win nicely. He has had a long year and won't run again this season."

Owner Prince Khalid, who can count the likes of Dancing Brave among his great horses, said: "He's the best horse I have ever owned. Many people think he is the best horse they have ever seen. I just hope he does the same thing next year. Henry is the best trainer. If he says something, I believe him."

Christophe Soumillon Left Seething

Christophe Soumillon was left seething after being handed a five-day ban for breaching the new whip regulations during his winning ride on Cirrus Des Aigles in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The new rules, which came into effect on Monday, state a rider can only use his whip seven times in a Flat race, with only five of those 'hits' allowed inside the final furlong.

Belgian-born, French-based Soumillon was ruled to have used his whip six times in the last furlong, and as well as his ban he also forfeited his riding fee and percentage of prize-money, amounting to around £50,000.

Soumillon said: "I'm very embarrassed for English racing today. You have a lot of problems, but the whip is not one of them.


"Jockeys are not here to whip horses, they are here to make the horses do their best and that is what I tried to do. We now have padded whips, they are very soft and I hit my horse to make him do his best in the last furlong.

"Maybe I should have hit him before the final marker, but the rules have only been in one week. I just gave six, I didn't give eight, nine or 10. For a little mistake they give me a five-day suspension and I'm fighting for the title in France, so it is important for my career, and they take away all my prize money, around £50,000."

He went on: "Never can a fine like this have been handed out in sport. I never saw Zinedine Zidane get a fine like this, or Michael Schumacher in Formula One. I cannot understand why they change it one week before Champions Day.

"I was just beside So You Think, who everybody knows is a very tall horse. How can I see the furlong marker? There are (blue and white) publicity banners everywhere on the track, how can I see the marker? The marker is small yet for this small mistake I get a big ban.

"I don't understand and I think the English jockeys have to get together to sort it out because it is impossible to work this way. I was very afraid to get a suspension. You can't change the rule in one week.

"We are civilised people. This is 2011, not 1800, you can't kill people like they used to. The rules can change, but not like that. The rules should all be the same, you can't cut people's heads and legs off. The rules should be the same everywhere in the world. I will take a good lawyer and see what I can do."

Dick Turpin and Dubawi Gold run against "hotpot" Frankel

Richard Hannon never shirks a challenge and runs both Dick Turpin and Dubawi Gold against hotpot Frankel in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by Qipco at Ascot today.

Richard Hughes had chosen to ride Dick Turpin but having relinquished his licence in protest over the new whip rules, Christophe Soumillon, who won a Group One in Italy on him last time out, maintains the partnership.


Johnny Murtagh rides Dubawi Gold, who will be kept on the go after this with a trip in Hong Kong in the pipeline.

"It is going to be tough and we have three very good horses in front of us in the betting, but 25-1 is an insult to Dick Turpin, who has proved a star for us over the last three seasons," Hannon told his website, www.richardhannonracing.tv.


"He showed plenty of guts to get up to win his second Group One in Italy last time, and he has never moved better than he has done recently.

"Hughesie was delighted with him on Tuesday morning and he looks great so, while I am not saying we will beat Frankel, he is well capable of getting a slice of the action."


He added: "Dubawi Gold will be going for the big mile race in Hong Kong in December, so this is a stepping-stone.

"Neither he nor Dick Turpin want the ground too fast, but Hughesie is adamant it rode slow at the last meeting, and he should be fine. He has been placed in two Guineas and is a good horse."

Long Distance Cup Review

Frankie Dettori believes Opinion Poll represents his best chance of a winner at Ascot today as he goes for glory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

A total of £3m is up for grabs on Britain's richest ever raceday, with Dettori keen to be a central figure, and the bookmakers tend to agree that Mahmood Al Zarooni's charge is the Italian's best hope as he is vying for favouritism.

Opinion Poll chased home Fame And Glory in the Gold Cup in June, and Dettori hopes he can turn the tables, having won twice and been second once since then.


He said: "He's an ultra consistent horse. He has three lengths to find with Fame And Glory, but he always wants to win and is probably my best chance. He is a very well balanced, solid horse who never runs a bad race.

"In the Gold Cup, Opinion Poll was ridden to get the two and a half miles, but back over two, we can get away, be a bit more aggressive and ride closer to the pace. I think the gap will be smaller this time as Fame And Glory's last two runs have not been so good."


Aidan O'Brien admits Fame And Glory has struggled to reach the heights he scaled in June

The Ballydoyle handler told At The Races: "His target for the whole season was the Ascot Gold Cup and he was trained hard for that. He was at a level of fitness that was very hard to get to and after giving so much he was always going to need a break.


"He ran a nice race at the Curragh and then in the Irish Leger he ran a nice race for four furlongs but then the pace went down and they quickened again.

"It's been very hard to get him back up to the level of fitness he had to win the Gold Cup, but we've had our eye on this race for a while, so hopefully he'll run well. It would be very unfair to ask him to go back up to that pitch again twice in a year as that was a different level altogether."


Andrew Balding, who runs Chiberta King, said: "He's had a long season but he still seems in good form at home. Hopefully he'll run a decent race, but he's got a bit to find. He'll like the ground, he stays two miles and he's run well at Ascot before."