Simcock in dreamland with Sheikhzayedroad
Victories for Sheikhzayedroad, The Tin Man and Journey were among the highlights and the stars of the season strutted their stuff one last time at Ascot
SHEIKHZAYEDROAD came home strongly to win the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.
Martin Harley was never too far away on the consistent seven-year-old, winner of the Doncaster Cup last time out, as Nearly Caught and Quest For More were allowed to set a sedate pace.
Harley was content in third on David Simcock's stayer, with Simple Verse, Litigant and the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Order Of St George in mid-division.
Turning into the straight the leaders kicked and it was clear anything from off the pace would struggle to make up the ground, but Harley's tactical nous came to the fore and he was well placed to strike.
Simple Verse and Order Of St George were closing deep inside the final furlong, with Quest For More once again running out of his skin, but the 11-1 winner scored by half a length.
Quest For More clung on for second with Simple Verse another half a length back in third and Gold Cup hero Order Of St George only fourth.
Harley said: "I'm out of breath! He always delivers on the big day - full credit to the horse, he's tough.
"They didn't go very quick, but my lad has won over shorter so I knew he had a change of gear.
"David thought he would be in the money, and a furlong down I knew I had the front two covered."
The Tin Man fired Tom Queally back into the big time by emulating his half-brother Deacon Blues in winning the Qipco British Champions Sprint.
Trained by James Fanshawe, just like Deacon Blues, The Tin Man was supplemented into the race last year but could only finish fourth.
An interrupted campaign has seen him win only once but he chased home Quiet Reflection at Haydock in the Sprint Cup, suggesting he was up to this class.
Quiet Reflection was fancied to win a third Group One of the season for Karl Burke, but she never threatened to get involved.
French raider Signs Of Blessing stole a march with two furlongs to run and went two lengths clear, but with 100 yards to go he was running on empty.
Queally delivered 13-2 chance The Tin Man widest of all and he struck by a length from Ayr Gold Cup runner-up Growl (50-1), with the winner of that race, Brando, in third and Signs Of Blessing fourth.
It was a particularly sweet moment for Queally, who since the retirement of Frankel has been absent from the limelight at the big meetings.
Queally said: "I've always felt he was potentially the best horse in the field and he proved to be. He just needs cover, thankfully he got it and proved how good he is.
"It's a special day for the team. I've probably got more of a kick out of this winner than any of the big winners I've had - when you go through a bit of a drought it means a bit more.
"My whole family will get a buzz out of this."
Fanshawe said: "All year it has been stop-start with him, he had a problem in the spring and I've not been able to get him ready.
"We didn't have the smoothest run going to (Royal) Ascot, then we had a small problem after that and before his next race we had the coughing.
"My son Tom rides him out every day so it has been a good team effort and it's great when you think they are right and they perform like that.
"He's owned by a syndicate set up by my wife, there are 10 shares and it enables people to get involved in a horse like this. It's great that he's a half-brother to Deacon Blues who won this in 2011.
"It was a hot race, I walked the course and in the past you've wanted to be drawn high but I was quite happy we were low today."
Journey went one better than last year when running out a hugely impressive winner of the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Trained by John Gosden and ridden expertly by Frankie Dettori, she had been trained with this specific race in mind all season.
In what turned out to be a messy renewal, the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Seventh Heaven was slowly away and never in a position to challenge from her draw in stall 13.
Ryan Moore tried to take his medicine early by taking a pull on leaving the stalls and then looking for a gap on the rails but it never appeared.
Pretty Perfect was allowed a six-length lead at one point with Dettori heading the chasing pack and he still looked full of running turning in.
When Dettori pressed the button the response was immediate and Journey shot clear, winning at 4-1 by four lengths.
James Fanshawe's Prix de l'Opera winner Speedy Boarding ran another blinder finishing second, with Queen's Trust third and Seventh Heaven hot on their heels.
Dettori said: "She deserved a Group One, she has been running so well. I can't believe the turn of foot she showed today, she picked up like she had roller skates.
"She is a joy to ride and well done to the owners."
