Mount Atlas climbs to the summit at 33-1 in Long Distance Cup Mount Atlas flew home late to thwart Queenstown with a shock success in the Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot that boosted Andrew Balding’s title challenge. Although Aidan O’Brien and the Kingsclere handler headed into the weekend locked in battle for top spot in the trainers’ standings, it was hard to envisage this race proving pivotal with Queenstown sent off at 14-1 and the winner a 33-1 outsider. It for one second appeared Ryan Moore had produced yet another Ascot masterclass aboard the Prix du Cadran third, but staying on resolutely was Mount Atlas whose winning run reached its summit under PJ McDonald just in time to spring a three-quarters of a length victory over his Ballydoyle rival. St Leger winner Highwayman filled the final position on the podium, with Gregory in fourth. Balding said: “He might have been an unlucky loser if he hadn’t got out, but he has to be ridden like that in a way. “He’s a very talented horse, obviously we were just taking a chance on the two miles, but he loves Ascot and PJ gave him an absolutely brilliant ride. “I’m so thrilled and so appropriate in those (Mill Reef) colours as well. I’m just sorry my mother isn’t here – she’s gone to watch a hockey match, she’d have loved that because she bred him.” Asked if this victory gave him a big boost in his championship hopes he replied: “I don’t know about that, there’s still a long way to go.” McDonald said: “You’ve got to enjoy days like this. I’ve probably got a lot more days behind me than I’ve got in front of me and it’s great to still be in a position to ride horses like that on days like this. “Andrew and the whole team at Park House have been so good to me this last two or three years and that is the best way I can pay them back, a Group One winner on Champions Day when the team really needs the prize-money, so it’s a big boost for everybody. “He is a horse that you think you are going to win on him and you maybe don’t, but the way it panned out for me it opened up at just the right time because he was on the line before he knew what was going on. “Everything panned out in my favour today and I’m just proud to be a small part of that team.” The former jump jockey added: “To win a Group One in these colours is a massive feather in my cap, all the history behind them and then looking at the future for this team, I’m delighted for them.”
