'We want to get it right' - Eldar Eldarov not a certain Long Distance Cup runner

A decision on the participation of Eldar Eldarov in the Long Distance Cup () on Qipco British Champions Day this weekend will hinge on a conversation with the owner in the coming days, trainer Roger Varian has warned.

The St Leger winner is as short as 3-1 for Saturday's contest but also has the Prix Royal Oak as an end-of-season option.

Varian said: "A decision on running Eldar Eldarov won't be made until I've spoken again to the owner in the middle of the week.

"The horse has been in very good form since Doncaster and it wouldn't worry me at all that this hasn't been a race for three-year-olds so far as that shouldn't be a factor by this stage of the year. But he's got two options – the Long Distance Cup and the Prix Royal-Oak – and we want to get it right."

Speaking on Monday at Yarmouth, where he rode a double, David Egan reported Eldar Eldarov to be in "fantastic" form having improved since last month's Classic triumph.

'He just feels really good'

Egan, who has ridden Eldar Eldarov on all five of his starts, said: "He's come out of his St Leger win very well. I've sat on him a couple of times since and I'd say he's in even better form than going into the Leger. I'm very excited to see him come out.

"He just feels really good, he's working a lot better. He's normally quite laid-back and workmanlike and he's improved a lot. He's only going to get better, but he's going to need to against the older horses."

Saturday's contest would represent a step up in distance for Eldar Eldarov, who runs in the colours of KHK Racing Ltd. Varian felt he would be a Cup horse for the next two or three years after his Classic success and Egan hopes he can progress at two miles.

"He wants to please," Egan added. "He took his time to develop and mature early in the spring but he's really grown into himself now. The step up in trip won't do him any harm either.

"He won a Royal Ascot race on good to firm ground and he was even better on good to soft ground in the Leger so he's very versatile. If there was a bit of rain I wouldn't be worried, but it's probably going to be good ground. If it is then it'll be the ideal situation for everyone and he'll handle it as well as anyone."

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (Ascot, 1.25 Saturday)

Paddy Power: 9-4 Trueshan, 5-2 Waterville, 3 Eldar Eldarov, 7 Coltrane, 10 Beamish, Quickthorn, 14 Trawlerman, 16 Princess Zoe, 25 bar

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