Champions Day, Part 1 Racing from Ascot

has come through save us. We couldn't have asked for a more

beautiful day here at Ascot, the sun is shining, the temperatures in

the 80s and the crowds pouring in to celebrate a top, top class day

of racing. Henry Cecil will be someone they hope to see in the

winners' enclosure, Aidan O'Brien as well. You don't have to be old

to enjoy a day at the races, anyone can come here and know they're

seeing the very best in equine horse flesh, the best sort of power

and elegance. Joey the puppet from the play War Horses is here to

entertain the crowds. The way he's operated almost emphasises the

beauty of the horse and the flightiness that you can get in

thoroughbred racehorses. This is what the crowd are here to see, the

culmination of a six month flat season that's covered 35 races and

the first ever Qipco Champions' Day we couldn't have expected it would

be this good? I wore a suit with a bit of weight to it and it's

actually hotter here today than it was here for the Royal meeting back

in June. It's amazing, an amazing day to start off the Qipco champion

ship day and we have got seven out of ten top rated horses running

here today in the whole world, not just in England, the whole world!

This is a fantastic series, and this is the number one. Put your

recording on because in 50 years' time, if you can live that long,

you will still want to see it! Cup Final day with five Cup Final

matches coming up to your live on the BBC. We start here on BBC Two,

switch to BBC One, and in terms of horses that will dominate the

headlines, the number one is Frankel. He's unbeaten in eight

starts so far, goes to make it nine in the QEII, coming up later.

So You Think is a global superstar bred in New Zealand raced in

Australia, trained in Ireland, Ryan Moore takes the ride for Aidan

O'Brien and that's something we may see more of in the years to come,

the rumours this week that Ryan Moore will join Aidan O'Brien and

raid for Ballydoyle, do you think it's true and it's a good move?

Definitely a gad move for both. Everybody involved -- good move.

There's Fran Berry with him. He'll be riding against him if he take

this is job in Ireland, but it's not been substantiated yet. It's

just a rumour, only a rumour, and we hope today maybe somebody will

come along and say it's true or possibly we'll get the denial. It's

a very big rumour on the racecourse here today. We are here to

celebrate everything that is wonderful about thoroughbred horse

racing, but it's been an extraordinary week for the sport

can the headlines dominated and more news broadcast than I can ever

remember around racing because of the change in the whip rules that

came in on Monday restricting jockeys to using the whip seven

times in the flat races and five in the final furlong. One of those

who's taken um bridge at the severity of the punment is Richard

Hughes and top jockey Richard Hughes is here today to offer his

apology to Sheikh FA head Altani, the man behind Qipco, for

distracting the attention here from the meeting. -- Sheikh Fahed.

This is about as exciting I've been about a day's sport in a very long

time. Mick, how much are you looking forward to this day?

can't wait. The buzz around this place is terrific. People are here

to see one horse that,'s Frankel. That horse is versatile as regards

the ground. The official going is good which some people may find

surprising, considering the fact it's been very dry and they had to

put four mill metres of water on the course in the week. Are you

surprised in I bumped into Aidan O'Brien and he said it was

beautiful ground. If you get a trainer like him saying that,

that's all they can ask for. They are trying to get a level playing

field for what is the richest day in British racing. A lot of people

are talking about the ground and who will go on it. The Queen

Elizabeth Stakes against Frankel, Immortal Verse? She's got to be

able to cope with ground conditions like this. Nathaniel was taken out

of the Derby because the ground was quick. Maybe it might not suit him,

especially as we have such a beautiful day. Nathaniel runs in

the Champion Stakes, the most valuable race. How will So You

Think go? He'll love it. He's a smart horse. Just behind us, the

starting stalls in place for the first race of the day, the Long

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

Distance Cup, the first of five everything in the betting ring.

This morning the best backed horse is So You Think from Ireland, the

�30,000 at 3-1, the 5-has gone, it's a 9-4 shot. My old mate Gary

is usually standing next to me and when he disappears, it's usually

fish and chips or a bookies board. He's already eaten so it's not food.

You have found something unusual? Champions' Day and I've found a

price. 1-2 Frankel. Why have you gone 1-2? It's Champions' Day on a

Championship racecourse. We want to give the punters a chance. We have

taken 2.5 million in stakes by 10.30 this morning. You can double

that with the multiples, this horse will cost us a fortune if he's as

good as we think he is. This is Champions' Day and you are still

one and two on the board. Wonder why you look sad, John, you might

be even sadder later. No eggs and bacon for me and probably not for a

week if this thing wins! Frankel. Unbelievable. Better than

buying money. This afternoon, we are going to

show you something a little different, an enhancement to our

coverage on the BBC, and it's all to do with this little twice which

every single horse that runs here today is carrying in their saddle

cloth and it transmits to around 60 censors around the track meaning we

can look at every single horse in every of the races and see exactly

how fast they covered every furlong. Also, you will be able to see on

the top left hand side there the speed the leading horse is doing in

miles per hour and every quarter mile, the cumulative time. Look at

the top left hand of your screen in the yellow box, you can see the mph

soon after the start. They'll be going about 35mph, if they head

towards 40, that's very quick indeed. Afterwards, we have a

closer look and we'll show you in some details how fast the horses

cover each individual furlong, or at least that's the plan.

It's a fabulous line-up we've got for you. Five fantastic races.

Let's have alike at the first of them. The runners are going to post

for the first race, the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 56 seconds

Let's check the runners and riders Opinion Poll 5-2, that's solid. Big

bets going in for Opinion Poll but what a day. Nay harm's been backed

as well. And Times Up, the weak horse out the three fame and gloir.

-- Nehaam's been backed and the weak horse out of three is knee

way down to the start for the first race, the Qipco British Champions

Long Distance Cup. Here is what happened in the category up to this

racing up on the outside, grabs the lead now -- Fame And Glory. Opinion

Poll driven out by Frankie Dettori. He's made it - just! Opinion Poll

wearing down Duncan. They are sluging it out. Opinion Poll and

Cup. At Leger win for trainer John

Gosden. There is and there will continue to

be a lot of support for this horse, Opinion Poll, partly because he's a

proven stayer and hikes it here at Ascot as well. He was second in the

Ascot Gold Cup. Partly also because of the man on board. Frankie

Dettori would get this day off to a flying start were he to be

successful in the very first race. It look as if this is a race

between Opinion Poll and the horse behind him in shot there, Fame And

Glory and possibly Times Up. What are your thoughts on Opinion Poll,

a tricky horse to ride? Opinion Poll is reputed to want a little

more cut in the ground than it is today. But, I was speaking to

Johnny Murtagh who nearly always runs the course before racing to

get a few pound off, and he came in and he was saying that this ground

is like a carpet, every horse should be able to let himself down

and go, you know, run to his best on the ground today.

Something interesting about Opinion Poll. Since the start of 2010 he's

won four from five in Frankie Dettori and one from ten in other

jockeys. They definitely get on together. Times Up? He ran for the

first time in his life and he's bred to be a stayer for over two

miles at Newmarket. He came there at the furlong poll on the bridle.

He is definitely up in class today, but he's a horse that possibly

first time over two miles at Newmarket, two miles again today,

he's going to be a Gold Cup horse for next year. Fame And Glory would

be the other horse there who won our gold Cup. He ran a very bad

race last time at the Curragh, but the ground was very soft. He likes

top of the ground, this fella and that was his... He's a very, very

big price because he beat Opinion Poll in the Gold Cup. So why can't

he beat him again? He's repute, by his trainer, to saying he's not

quite in the same level as he was on Gold Cup day. He didn't say he

couldn't win though. We have an interesting race there. Those are

the three horses that one of those three I think will be the winner.

And if there is anything to challenge them, it could be the

grey gelding Colour Vision, Desousa taking the ride for Mark Johnston

and three-year-olds have won two of the last four runnings of this and

filled the first three placings in 2009. So don't rule out Colour

sweat was Darley Sun. So they walk forward now. This is the first race

on Qipco British Champions day settling down for the Long Distance

cup. They're off and running and Eternal Heart is on a flyer. Behind

them is Darley Sun, but Eternal Heart in its usual role taking up

the running. Fame And Glory away smartly on the inside. Chiberta

King on the inside. Motrice. Times Up. Opinion Poll has the nose band.

Nehaam on the inside with the striped cap. Polly's Mark. Colour

Vision followed then at the rear by Darley Sun. They are going 32mph

upfront as they race down to the straight now. Chiberta King crosss

to the inside. Leading by a length and a half to in second Fame And

Glory. One length further back is Times Up. Motrice. Darley Sun in

the white cap on the inside of Opinion Poll. They continue their

journey down the side of the course now, passing the mile and a half

game. Last couple there, Colour Vision is right out the back as

they travel down past the mile and a half. So fame and gloirbgs a five

time group winner and Gold Cup winner is the leader by a length

and a half -- Fame And Glory. Chiberta King. The pace is very

generous. Just behind them, as they race downhill is Times Up, followed

by, on the outside, Eternal Heart. They're going 43, 44mph. They are

just steadying a bit in front as they race down past the mile. Fame

And Glory. Chiberta King. Times Up. Eternal Heart, Nehaam. Deeper on

the track Motrice. Opinion Poll is in the centre. A length to Colour

Vision. Polly's Mark is back in the field. Darley Sun. 35mph now and

the leader still Chiberta King and Fame And Glory from Chiberta King.

A length away in third follows tiepgs up and Eternal Heart and

Motrice -- Times Up. Motrice starting to improve rapidly.

Frankie Dettori getting busy on Opinion Poll in the blue jacket of

Godolphin, followed by Nehaam from Colour Vision, Polly's Mark and and

four-and-a-half furlongs to go. Motrice is flat to the boards.

Chiberta King. Toward the end of the straight, here is Frankie on

Opinion Poll. It's Fame And Glory going well in the lead by a length

and a half as they pass the three and are about to straighten for

home. Times Up in second. Followed by Motrice. Nehaam going into third,

followed by Opinion Poll on the outside. They're clear of the

others. Lorvition getting up on the fence. -- Colour Vision.

Opinion Poll going into second, followed by Nehaam. On the inside,

Times Up. Inside the final furlong, fame and gloir getting weary, still

two-and-a-half lengths clear -- Fame And Glory. Fame And Glory has

done enough to win. Wins the Long Distance Cup from a tight second

there. Opinion Poll second. Colour Vision. Times Up, Eternal Heart,

followed by Darley Sun and Polly's Mark. Further back, Motrice and

last to finish, Chiberta King. The Gold Cup winner has been good

enough to win the first Qipco British Champions race. The Long

Distance Cup over two miles. Fame And Glory, Jamie Spencer, is the

Opinion Poll. Near side is Colour Vision and the far side in fourth

is Nehaam. A gap to Times Up in fifth. Then a long gap to the

others, Eternal Heart has finished a long way behind. Polly's Mark in

the yellow. The white cap of Darley Sun. Second is number 5, Opinion

Poll. That's official now. Makes Colour Vision third and there's

Motrice crossing the line and the others coming in at very long

intervals. Still a couple, Chiberta King was last to finish. Let's he

can the one, two, three. Clsh -- let's check on the one, two, three.

The winner trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Jamie Spencer. A 3-1

winner in the time of 3.26.50. What a great way to start Qipco

British Champions day. We are seeing here a real superstar stayer,

a horse who had only See the Stars better than him as a three-year-old.

He's stepped up to the plate. He's the new Yeats. Frankie Dettori came

wide on Opinion Poll and tried to get the horse going for him, he

needs an awful lot of motivation. Jamie Spencer grabbed this race by

the scruff of the neck and said, I am going to make this a real test,

and it paid off. Yes. The last time the trainers said the race at the

Curragh, they quickened it up and slowed her down. They accepted the

pace. Today, Jamie Spencer did not accept the pace and he said, after

he went past the mile and a half start, this pace is not fast enough,

I'd better go and make it himself. And that is exactly what he did.

The horse was getting a bit tired at the finish, but he's done it the

hard way. He's the true staying champion. He's won the two possibly

main races for staying horses of the year. The gold cup and this

champions two mile race here today. Actually, Jamie Spencer, everybody

says he rides out the back, but there again today, we can see that

he can do it from the front. The boy has got a clock in his head.

great training performance from Aidan O'Brien to bring this horse

back from frankly two disappointing runs. They were both on soft ground

at the Curragh and particularly last time, he just didn't look

himself at all. But today, back to his best and remarkable to be able

to win the Ascot Gold Cup. Come back here on British Champions day

and win the Long Distance race as well. He is a genuine champion

stayer, isn't he? Of course he is. He was good enough to run in the

classics, Fame And Glory, and of course, Ballydoyle, got so many

good horses, they said, right, we'd better go now that Yeats has

retired. They chose this horse to be their staying candidate and of

course, he's done the job really, really well. He's winning the main

staying races and he looks as though he'd have to be favourite to

win the Gold Cup here at Ascot next June. In fact, he gets a quote of

3-1 favourite for next year's Ascot Gold Cup.

Willie speaking very confidently, he was speaking confidently without

the race in our production meeting. He wouldn't hear of this horse

being beaten. He's been spot on there. This horse is is its 13th

win in 21 starts, an outstanding horse, a great credit to his

absolutely perfect, those that are coming in after riding in our first

race. He's an Irish Derby winner, he's a Gold Cup winner, but he's

also a Coronation Cup winner at Epsom, so he's a really versatile

horse, he can handle all sorts of ground and courses and he's really

appreciated the conditions of today's race. He's won it very,

very well. He goes into the history books as the very first winner of a

Qipco British Champions race. That is the Long Distance cup. Jamie

Spencer. He is the winning jockey and that was his 99th winner of the

season. Had a great season, not only here, but also abroad as well

with those trips to America and also in these colours, Cape Blanco

owned by Mrs And Dr Haye and they race this in partnership with

derrick Smith, Sue Magna and Michael Taylor.

Here we see time and glory coming into the winners' enclosure. Aidan

O'Brien will be hoping they win this horse because the Ascot crowd

love Ascot specialists and Fame And Glory's proved himself that by

winning the Ascot Gold Cup and coming back and taking this. A big

reception for Jamie Spencer. Mrs Taylor there obviously thought,

like I did, it would be a lot colder than I did. Fame and floir

was lugging towards the rail and getting tired, wasn't he -- Fame

And Glory? Yes. The Joness are here to see this horse win. A great day

for even at Ballydoyle and for the breeders as well. You can see the

changes being made today to make sure this looks and feels different

from any race day that's ever been staged. Yes, look at how many

people are here, Claire, there isn't one little spot. If you

wanted to come in here, you would have to fight to get a spot to see

the horses. Michael Taylor and Derek Smith congratulating Jamie

Spencer. Jamie is their retained jockey, so he'll continue to ride

the horses in which the Hayes are involved, whatever the jockey

arrangements at Ballydoyle next wonder from John and Gary down in

the betting ring, whether that was a result that's hurt the bookies,

because I know when the Ballydoyle mob like a horse and support it,

they can have serious money on it, John? Certainly can, Claire, but

for the moment, they've won the first here with Fame And Glory.

Claire was asking the question, a bit of money late on for Fame And

Glory but it's not that horse that's been the biggest backed?

rp right, bouz So You Think in the champions stakes was the first. All

the money will be running up. If you fancy So You Think, take the

price now, it will be a lot less come just after 4 o'clock, John.

Aidan O'Brien, how happy are you get to horse back at his best?

Delighted. Like even knew, his big day this year was Ascot Gold Cup

and he was trained very hard for it. Out of respect and to the horses,

we had to be gentle and kind to him after that. We chased him hard for

the Gold Cup and you don't want to do that to a horse twice this a

year. He had his break, two nice comebacks and we chased them a

little bit today first, but delighted. Jamie gave him a super

ride. He knew the horse really well and when he turned down, he just

led him into a lovely rhythm. Delighted. Royal Ascot Gold Cup

next year? Listen, obviously that'll be everybody else's

decision, so, you know, we just feel privileged to have him this

year and wouldn't it be great. We'll let you go and swap you over

with Jamie. Thank you very much. You heard Aidan singing your

praises about the ride. When did you concoct that plan? We were

always going to be positively relative. Jimmy said he'd go a good

one, so I followed him. Once he turned to go by the stands, the

horse was idle so I slipped down and let my fella use his stride.

Without trying to sound patronising, Aidan O'Brien, how can he get him

to turn the form around? I was so gutted at the Curragh because you

expect him to win, odds on favourite for a classic and nothing

happened, but he was just electric today and every time something came

to me, they were setting him alight. He was shooting on again. He was

entitled to idle at the last 100 yards but he did well. It's

exciting, Qipco's a great day's racing, I hope everybody grasps it

because it's something new and we should praise them because without

them we wouldn't have such an exciting day. Other than Royal

Ascot, I can't remember being so excited for a race. What was that

like walking back into the winners enclosure? Seemed like a different

day to Ascot? It's a Group three, but they're the best Stayers and

have been running against each other all year. That should be very

exciting, delighted to be part of Fame and gloish won the first race

of the afternoon, -- Fame And Glory. We can have a look for you at the

decision after about half a mile to go through and take the lead. We'll

highlight for you, there he is the winner, Fame And Glory. The runner

up Opinion Poll is there. Colour Vision there and necessity haum

there. Chiberta King was in front and with the aid of the times they

were going 27, 28mph early on. they were. Now Jamie Spencer know

that's horse has no problems with stamina. He said, this is no good

for me. I'm going to ride the race and dictate matters to suit me and

that's exactly what Jamie has done. Added to that fact, he's gone at

that stage of the race alw, we'll see that later on, they're going

downhill. So they will get faster, though they're not making it harder

for themselves on this track. It would be different on the straight

track. Let's have a look at the straight. You have the winner there.

Here is Opinion Poll. He's come round the outside. Yeah, but he

knows, Frankie knows, Jamie Spencer, he saw him look round. He's

weighing up the opposition. You see Jamie have a look there. Frankie

knows I've got to get after him because he's had a freeby up front.

He's chased him. He has no option. You never see Frankie go that wide

round a bend, but he had no option. He's had to chase. But the bird had

flown. And at that stage, between the three, just before the turn to

the two furlong pole and the winner of the race put in his fastest

furlong. Jamie's won the race by taking the lead 12 furlongs out and

seized it by getting his horse to quicken round the home turn.

Because of that it must have seemed an eternity for the finishing line

to come to him. Good performances in second, third and fourth. Colour

Vision ran really. That's the first race of the day. Fame And Glory

winning. Real jubilation for Aden O'Brien

and his family. They know how good this horse is. The family are here

to celebrate. Aden moves on to four winners. Sir Henry Cecil has six.

In terms of jockeys, Frankie Dettori has moved ahead of Tom

Queally through finishing second there. He has five wins, three

seconds now, two thirds and it's those two thirds that move him

ahead of Tom Queally. This is just for the Qipco champions series.

Let's hear from John Magma. What a great start to the day. How good a

training performance was that to get this horse back to his best?

tell you, it was a good training performance, there's no doubt about

that. When you train a horse to win a Gold Cup, you have to have them

so supremely fit, it takes a lot out of them. To get them back to

that level of fitness that's what he did. A sensational ride as well?

Yeah, you've got to hand it to Jamie, that's a great ride. No

better man than Jamie on his day. big day, the horse that most people

will associate with you, So You Think in the last race. Most

occasions a horse running in the Arc, two weeks later, people worry

about the closeness of the race. Can you ease the worries by saying

he can take it. He went from Ascot to Sandown pretty quick this year N

Australia he ran three races in ten days, the last one being a two-mile

race. Had eran wling in that. There for the grace of God, he looks like

a horse that can do that sort of thing. What do you make of this new

day at Ascot? It's fantastic, a great course and the sponsors have

done a great job in promoting the day. It couldn't be better.

Hopefully you'll get some more of their money. Thank you. And this

day has the royal seal after profl. Her Majesty the Queen arriving

through the gate here at Ascot and she is here to watch the final four

races of this British champions series. She will present the trophy

to the winner of the Quene Elizabeth II Stakes, that race at

3.35pm. Franc sl odds on favourite to win that one.

-- Frankel is odds on favourite to win.

Johnny Weatherby there greeting the Queen. She will make her way to the

Royal Box. The trophy presentation for the first race. Tom James is

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup. Great start to the

day. Fantastic start. They've got the best stayer that there is in

Europe winning our first race. The championship Qipco stayers race, so

we're on a roll, as it were. We have got a lot more to come. We've

got even better to come! We V we have Frankel still to come, So You

Think as well. The top sprint race and fillies and mares race as well.

A stunning line up on an extraordinary day. We'd like to

take this opportunity, before we switch over to BBC One to say very,

very best wishes and a quick recovery to two former jump jockeys

and great trainer, he is in hospital at the moment in

septicaemia. We hope that he makes a recovery. Pums through, come on

Josh! -- pulls through. He and Terry Biddlecombe suffered a stroke

earlier in the week. He's now home and recovery. Josh and Terry were

at the head of jump racing, as jockeys, both of them trading

titles and great, great friends. And great people, you know, they're

really the stal warts of the racing community, 20, 30 years ago. Josh

went on and became a very successful trainer, taking over

from Ryan Price, very successful and Terry who did train, not quite

with the same distinction as Josh. Now one of the innovations of this

champions series is a lot of focus on the equine heroes, but also far

higher profile for the jockeys. They are required before all of

these champions series races to come out and stand by their banners

in front of the crowd. Richard Hill there. The banners have the owner's

colours on them with the name. Richard Hills a man with so much

experience in the saddle. That's the manager there. Kieron Fallon

takes over from Richard Hughes. Richard had taken umbrage at the

penalties for breaking the new whip rules and handed in his license on

Thursday night and doesn't ride here today. Kieron Fallon benefits

by taking over for Richard Hannon in this race. It's a field of 16

for the British champion sprint. Deacon Blues and Society Rock have

good chances. Yes that's got chances without a doit. We saw in

the Rugby World Cup a narrow victory for France. We could have a

French victory here as well. Moonlight Cloud is very well

Franceied. -- fancied. It's been a great start to the day. We have so

much still to come: The best is still to come.

He's unbeaten so far in eight starts, Frankel goes to make it

number nine in the Queen Elizabeth II stakes at 3.35am. So You Think

is a global superstar, eight group ones in total, three of them since

joining the yard of Aden O'Brien. Ryan Moore rides him in the final

race. We'll see behind the scenes of one of racing's newest trainers

Roger Varian took over from the much missed Michael Jarvis. He has

wonderful horses running today. I went to see Frankie Dettori with