Qipco British Champions Day: Frankie Dettori celebrates on Ascot farewell with Long Distance Cup win on Trawlerman
Trawlerman (9/1) beat Kyprios, Sweet William and Trueshan to win Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot; Frankie Dettori saying goodbye to British racing before USA move and described victory as 'absolutely nuts!'
Saturday 21 October 2023 17:05, UK
Frankie Dettori's farewell to Britain got off to a perfect start, as Trawlerman battled back gamely for victory in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.
The Italian is enjoying his final afternoon in European action before moving to America - and the first of his five rides ensured racegoers could enjoy a famous flying dismount.
Trawlerman (9/1) was left in front around half a mile from home in the two-mile affair, as pacesetting Maxident dropped away sharply.
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Dettori looked a sitting duck as 11/10 favourite Kyprios reeled him in down the straight, passing him with two furlongs to run, but Dettori had saved something and showed all his skill in mounting another challenge.
Reining his mount back in, he switched to Kyprios' outside and Trawlerman stuck his head out on the line to grab victory.
Reflecting on his victory, Dettori said: "Absolutely nuts! I heard the roar of the crowd and that was special.
"I've beaten one of my greatest rivals there in Ryan Moore on my final day. Sensational.
"He passed me comfortably and I thought he'd go and win by three or four lengths but once he couldn't get away from me, I thought I might have a bit left.
"Trawlerman was a real professional there and a great battler."
Allan celebrates first Group One victory
Dettori quickly went from elation to devastation as favourite Kinross was denied by 40/1 outsider Art Power in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes.
Making his fifth appearance in this contest, Tim Easterby's gallant grey was away quickly in the hands of David Allan and soon blazing a trail on the front-end.
Having tracked the pace aboard Kinross, Dettori was nudging his mount into contention two furlongs from home, with a repeat of last year's race victory looking likely as the stamina of Ralph Beckett's six-year-old took him to the front inside the final furlong.
However, Art Power refused to lie down and he showed supreme guts to fight back and land a British Champions Day shock and also provide his pilot with a first Group One on British soil.
Allan said: "He winged the gates so I didn't have to do a lot, just sit still and make sure I didn't go too early.
"As Frankie came to me I wasn't too happy and thought I was going to get chinned!
"He dug in really well in the last half furlong and I couldn't believe he got back up.
"He was bouncing today. He's had a few tries in Group Ones and we did wonder if he was ever going to win one."
Poptronic holds on under brave James
There was a first Group One victory too for jockey Sam James as Poptronic held them all off in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Sent off a 22/1 shot, Karl Burke's former Lancashire Oaks winner set the pace under James and had a clear run to the line, as some challengers in behind ran into a traffic in a frantic finish.
Those included Dettori aboard Free Wind, while Bluestocking and favourite Jackie Oh found room to deliver their efforts.
But, Poptronic maintained her position along the rail and had just enough left to win by a neck.
James said: "It's a really great day. I can't believe it really, it's a bit surreal.
"I want to thank the owners and Karl. It didn't go right the last day but she's shown a lot of ability.
"She's a good mover so you wouldn't think the soft ground would suit but all she does is gallop and she's tough.
"She settled well in front and I was able to get her a breather when we needed it."
Charlie Johnston saddled a winner with his only runner on Champions Day as The Gatekeeper ground out a deserved victory in the Balmoral Handicap.
Owned by Middleham Park Racing, the 25/1 shot was always in the ideal spot, up with the pace and on the far side of the Ascot straight.
Ascot specialist Ropey Guest and the Hayley Turner-ridden Docklands tried their hardest to reel in soft-ground loving The Gatekeeper, but Joe Fanning had a willing partner and he kept on stoutly for a one-length triumph in the ultra-competitive finale.
