Fame And Glory bounces back to his best The Aidan O'Brien trained Fame And Glory bounced back to his best in the opener on Champions Day at Ascot, the Group 3, Quipco British Champions Long Distance Cup. The Ascot Gold Cup hero was back to his very best after a disappointing on last two starts at the Curragh and the 3/1 chance had enough in reserve in the closing stages to hold off favourite Opinion Poll and Colour Vision. Jamie Spencer sent the winner to the head of affairs early in the back straight and he made his move for glory off the final bend. It proved decisive as he opened up a handy advantage and although the pack closed inside the distance he was always doing enough to get Ballydoyle on the scorecard by one and quarter lengths. O'Brien said afterwards: "Everybody knew his big day this year was the Ascot Gold Cup, and he was trained very hard for that. "Out of respect to the horse we had to be kind to him after that. "We chased him hard for the Gold Cup and didn't want to do that to the horse twice in a year. "He had his break and had his two nice comebacks and we're delighted with him today. "Jamie gave him a great ride and got the horse into a lovely rhythm. He's got so much class. "Next year is a decision for everybody else, it would be great to come back (for the Gold Cup), but obviously it is down to the lads and Dr Hay. It's been a privilege to have him this year and to have him next year would be great." Spencer said: "We were always going to be relatively positive, but I wasn't sure if Darley Sun was a pacemaker for Opinion Poll. "I decided to go on and let him use his stride. "I don't want to sound patronising, but how could Aidan O'Brien get him to turn his form around so much. I was so gutted at the Curragh because I expected him to win, he was odds-on favourite but he was so disappointing. "He was electric today, it was as if he had a buzzer when something came to him. "He idled a little bit, but it's so exciting. It's a great day for everybody because it (British Champions Day) is something new. "Other than Royal Ascot I can't remember being so excited for a meeting."
