Great fields in prospect for the Long Distance Cup, Sprint and Fillies & Mares

Can Fame And Glory recapture last year’s magic? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

The three championship that start the QIPCO British Champions Day card have attracted outstanding confirmations this afternoon as the clock ticks down towards Britain’s richest raceday.

The last three Gold Cup winners, Colour Vision, Fame And Glory and Rite Of Passage head 16 confirmations for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup in what could the staying race of the century so far, let alone the year.

Other entries include Opinion Poll, runner-up in the last two Gold Cups, top Irish stayer Saddler’s Rock, last year’s Leger runner-up, Brown Panther, leading French stayer Kasbah Bliss and John Gosden’s improving duo of Caucus and Aiken.

The QIPCO British Champions Sprint has 19 confirmations including this year’s Betfred Sprint Cup and last year’s Diamond Jubilee winner, Society Rock, Prix de l’Abbaye winner, Wizz Kid, who was runner-up in this race a year ago, and former top sprinter Starspangledbanner.

Libranno and Royal Rock, third and fourth in this race a year ago, have stood their ground, as has Restiadargent, a close third behind Black Caviar in this year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

In the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, the last two Investec Oaks winners, Dancing Rain, who won this race a year ago, and Was are set to clash with this year’s Irish Oaks winner, Great Heavens.

The ten confirmations also include the smart fillies Vow, Shirocco Star and French challengers Jehannedarc and La Pomme d’Amour.

In all, four of last year’s five winners – Frankel, Cirrus des Aigles, Dancing Rain and Fame And Glory – could run on Saturday, as well as three runners-up, Excelebration, Opinion Poll and Wizz Kid.

A fantastically high class day is in prospect with the final declarations to run made on Thursday morning.