Given Group 1 status for the first time, the Long Distance Cup has attracted a disappointing field of five runners for the 1m 7f 209y staying feature on British Champions Day at Ascot, but it’s a race that can still see a superstar take the prize in the shape of Trawlerman, who has been the class act of the division this campaign. Our GG tipster Steve Chambers previews the race and picks out his 1-2-3 for the contest here.
Trawlerman
Beaten by Kyprios and Sweet William in this race 12 months ago, Trawlerman is looking to taste victory for the second time in this event having bagged the bronze medal in the 2023 renewal as well, but he was victorious in the 2023 contest. The John & Thady Gosden-trained star has been the dominant figure in the staying division this campaign and is entitled to be a warm order here.
With Kyprios now on the sidelines, the Godolphin raider has been imperious in recent runs and having scooted to an emphatic Gold Cup victory at Royal Ascot then followed up with an authoritative one-and-a-quarter length win in the Lonsdale Cup at York. He beat Sweet William that day, so he has shown he has the capabilities of beating his stablemate, and if he can replicate his recent runs in this event then it’s hard to not see him prevailing.
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Champions Day may not officially end the flat season, but the array of riproaring races taking place at Ascot on Saturday brings a conclusive feel which ultimately heralds the return of the jumps. The big players have all been declared too, with 11 runners in contention for the headline contest, the Group 1 Qipco Champion…
Thu 16 Oct 2025The Field
The aforementioned Sweet William will be one of the main dangers to Trawlerman and whilst he’s often struggled to deliver the goods at Group 1 level the Gosden second string warmed up for this event with a taking win in the Doncaster Cup. That Group 2 victory showed he’s in fine form, but it was a pretty mediocre renewal and it was no real shock to see him get his head in front, when sent off odds-on. He has been a real model of consistency for connections in recent years, but he will need Trawlerman to have a significant off day, if he is to land this prize.
Aidan O’Brien will saddle a brace of runners, as he bids for a fifth career win in the race and his flagbearer will be the three-year-old Stay True, who is a fascinating runner. Not since 2009 and Akmal has a three-year-old claimed victory in this race, but in Stay True you have a lightly-raced son of Galileo that was last seen finishing third in the St Leger. He’s not tasted victory since his debut, but has run well in some decent Group races this season, and in receipt of weight he could be one that continues to improve and he could well put it up to Trawlerman. With stablemate Saratoga likely to adopt pacemaking duties, then Stay True will have a good chance against the Godolphin hotpot.
Al Qareem will complete the line-up and like Sweet William he comes into this event on the back of a win, where he bagged victory in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot. A return to the Berkshire track should see him at his best again, but Karl Burke’s stable stalwart is another that can often struggle when sent in against the elite horses and he may have to settle for minor honours.
Verdict
If TRAWLERMAN can turn up in the form he’s shown all year then he can storm to victory in this event and finally grab his first Long Distance Cup. A fine winner of the Gold Cup earlier in the season, he has dominated the division this season and he could well get the better of the hugely consistent Sweet William, with the sole three-year-old Stay True completing the 1-2-3.
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