Pallasator and Forgotten Rules to bid for QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup glory

Sir Mark Prescott’s Doncaster Cup hero Pallasator has been declared among 13 rivals for the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day.

The six-year-old stayer, who will look to win a first Champions Day contest for Qatar Racing Limited, features among a star-studded field including Brian Meehan’s Agent Murphy, last year’s champion Forgotten Rules and fans’ favourite Clever Cookie.

Ebor winner and runner-up, Litigant and Wicklow Brave, are also among the contenders heading to the Berkshire track.

Peter Niven, trainer of Clever Cookie, said: “We pinpointed this race for Clever Cookie more than a year ago, hence I didn’t even bother entering him for the Irish Leger and conditions should be absolutely perfect for him on Saturday. 

“I have been around too long to get too excited about these things, but it’s great to be going to such a big meeting with a decent shout.

“Things didn’t pan out for him in the Lonsdale Cup and he had a couple of issues after that race, that’s why we’ve taken our time with him, but I’m very pleased with him now.

“I think that he has a great chance, especially with the three-year-olds not really taking part and a number of the other top older horses going for the Melbourne Cup.”

QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup declarations:

Agent Murphy, Pallasator, Forgotten Rules, Clever Cookie, Flying Officer, Litigant, Wicklow Brave, Suegioo, Amour de Nuit, Clondaw Warrior, Hidden Gold, Gale Force and Simenon.