Caballo De Mar facing intriguing Highwayman clash

After roaring back to his very best when defending his Prix du Cadran crown, Caballo De Mar faces another huge challenge up against Joseph O’Brien’s St Leger hero Highwayman in an intriguing Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

George Scott’s staying star built expertly on his Doncaster Cup success when returning to Paris to down Scandinavia at the Arc meeting and now bid for more riches on British Champions Day.

“He’s come out of Paris very well,” said Scott. “He’s given us all the right signs and we’ve been delighted with him.

“The key with him is keeping him fresh and happy. We’ve changed the way we ride him and train him a little bit, and he’s a horse that seems to be evolving all the time.”

Also going in search of a hat-trick is John and Thady Gosden’s Gregory having made it two from two since his return from a long injury lay-off with an impressive performance in Newmarket’s Rose Bowl Stakes.

He is one of two for owners Wathnan Racing alongside William Haggas’ Opportunity, who was last seen finishing third in the Ebor at York.

The winner that day was Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay, who now attempts to recreate the heroics of the Barbury Castle handler’s illustrious three-time race winner Trueshan.

King said: “I hope he is still going the right way. The step up in trip might suit as well, but we are obviously coming out of handicaps into a Group One so I am under no illusions. We are 110 and there are 120-rated horses in it so we have to find a fair bit of improvement.”

Having elected to leave Gold Cup hero Scandinavia at home after his dust up with Caballo De Mar in France, Aidan O’Brien will be represented by Queenstown who was a place behind his illustrious stablemate when third in the Cadran.

“Queenstown is a solid horse, two miles will suit him well and we’re very happy with him,” said O’Brien.

“Some of them in the race have form that should finish in front of us, but we think he’s progressive and we don’t think he’s finished progressing.”

The Ballydoyle handler also saddles the St Leger and Prix de Royallieu third Amelia Earhart and added: “Amelia ran a very good race in France and looks like a filly that has a good chance of getting two miles, so that will be interesting.”

Things have not gone completely to plan for Amiloc in his first two outings at two miles, but Ralph Beckett will be hoping it is a case of third-time lucky after a timely success at Salisbury.

“The win at Salisbury was exactly the confidence boost he needed,” said the Kimpton Down handler. “He worked well on the grass at the weekend and I’m looking forward to running him at Ascot again, on a track where he’s shown good form in the past.

“I think two miles is his optimum trip, so hopefully everything goes well.”

Completing the field is Andrew Balding’s Mount Atlas and Hughie Morrison’s stalwart Quickthorn.