Rite of Passage up late in British Champions Long Distance Cup

Rite of Passage, unraced in over five hundred days, rallied fast in the final two hundred meters to edge out a very game Aiken in the $310,000 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Eng-III) on Saturday at Ascot.

Under a patient ride from Pat Smullen, Rite of Passage settled toward the rear of the nine-horse field early on, leading only Askar Tau while racing about seven lengths behind pace-setting Ill De Re. Fame and Glory was in the tracking position on the outside, followed along the rail by Colour Vision and on the outside by Electrolyser. Aiken and Saddler's Rock were racing together in the fifth spot, followed then by Opinion Poll and the two trailers.

The positions remained relatively unchanged until the field entered the straight, where Fame and Glory made a bold and decisive bid to take command of the lead. He appeared to be on his way to victory, but couldn't find the needed acceleration inside the final three hundred meters or so, which allowed Aiken to advance and take command of the lead. But that lead would also be short-lived, as Rite of Passage was turning in a tremendous toward the inside, and after gamely splitting horses, the eight-year-old gelding rallied past Aiken to win by a head in a remarkable performance. The final time for two miles over a soft course was 3:35.98 seconds.

Askar Tau finished up well to finish third, while Electrolyser edged Fame and Glory for the fourth spot. Saddler's Rock, Ill De Re, Opinion Poll, and Colour Vision completed the order of finish.

The winner is a son of Giant's Causeway out of the Kris S mare Dahlia's Krissy. He is trained by Dermot Weld and owned by Dr. R. Lambe.

-Keelerman

QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup Entries and Post Positions

A field of nine has been entered in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Eng-III), including Fame and Glory, Opinion Poll, and Colour Vision, the 1-2-3 finishers from last year's edition of the race.

Of the trio, Colour Vision has had the best season this year, winning the historic Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-I) and Sagaro Stakes (Eng-III) in addition to placing third in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Fr-I) and the Artemis Goodwood Cup (Eng-II). Opinion Poll has also had a good year, winning the Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-III), Betfair Henry II Stakes (Eng-III), and placing second in the Ascot Gold Cup. Fame and Glory, however, will be looking to rebound after finishing seventh in the Ascot Gold Cup and sixth in the Irish St. Leger (Ire-I).

Saddler's Rock finished fourth last time out in the Prix du Cadran, but had previously defeated Colour Vision in the Artemis Goodwood Cup (Eng-II) and should not be counted out.

QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup (Eng-III)
Two miles on the Ascot turf course

PP	Horse	Jockey	Trainer
1	Colour Vision	Frankie Dettori	Saeed bin Suroor
2	Saddler's Rock	Johnny Murtagh	John M. Oxx
3	Rite of Passage	Pat Smullen	D. K. Weld
4	Opinion Poll	Mickael Barzalona	Mahmood Al Zarooni
5	Fame and Glory	Joseph O'Brien	Aidan O'Brien
6	Askar Tau	George Baker	Marcus Tregoning
7	Aiken	William Buick	John Gosden
8	Ill De Re	Jim Crowley	Donald McCain
9	Electrolyser	Adam Kirby	Clive Cox

-Keelerman