There are two major staying prizes yet to be decided this season and only 14 days between them.

It is likely few horses will attempt the Prix du Cadran-Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup double and the season’s dominant stayer Kyprios is a short-priced favourite for both.

Aidan O’Brien has already earmarked the Cadran on Arc weekend for Kyprios and if he continues his unbeaten run at Longchamp that will be a brilliant fourth straight Group 1.

I’d be surprised if O’Brien elected to run Kyprios on Champions Day at Ascot down in grade just two weeks on and that looks a race to target as he is a best-priced 6-4 chance.

Trueshan has landed the last two runnings of the Long Distance Cup and is the obvious one to assume favouritism if Kyprios bypasses the race.

However, he arrives with questions to answer after a disappointing effort in the Doncaster Cup where he looked slightly unruly under pressure.

Trueshan’s trainer Alan King suggested his stable star might have been psychologically impacted by his experience of running on faster ground at Goodwood on his previous start, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was put away for the year. 

Like Kyprios, the improving Quickthorn is Cadran-bound so might not head to Ascot, while Stradivarius may have enjoyed a renaissance this season but he is eight and has disappointed in this race before.  

Lismore
British Champions Long Distance Cup, Ascot, October 15
1pt win at 25-1 generally

I’m drawn to two at big prices and Lismore is the first to consider at 25-1. 

The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare put up a bold bid from the front in the Doncaster Cup under Frankie Dettori recently and really impressed with her attitude that day, rallying to be beaten only half a length by the in-form Coltrane with Trueshan sandwiched between the pair. 

Lismore clearly enjoys her travels as her two best performances have come in Britain and she has been raced sparingly this campaign.

She doesn’t have the best record fresh either, so it was a highly encouraging effort at Doncaster following a 130-day break.

Two miles at Ascot on soft ground are Lismore’s optimum conditions and she looks excellent value with a small bit of improvement anticipated from the Doncaster Cup.

Beamish
British Champions Long Distance Cup, Ascot, October 15
1pt win at 20-1 generally

It is also worth having a look at Beamish at 20-1 for the excellent Paddy Twomey, whose 31 per cent strike-rate in Ireland this season is outstanding. 

Beamish is yet to encounter two miles, but shapes as if the trip could really suit and he emerged with great credit when a close third in the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes over 1m4f on Irish Champions Weekend recently. 

Despite the fact Twomey has cited the Cadran as a possible target for Beamish, my feeling is Kyprios could scare a couple away from the Cadran and Twomey will find a crack at Ascot difficult to resist.

2m4f in a Longchamp Group 1 could ask too much of this lightly raced four-year-old at this stage of his career, whereas two miles at Ascot in a Group 2 looks more suitable. He loves soft ground and should have plenty more to offer.

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