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Sheikhzayedroad came home strongly to win the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Martin Harley was never too far away on the consistent seven-year-old, winner of the Doncaster Cup last time out, as Nearly Caught and Quest For More were allowed to set a sedate pace.

Harley was content in third on David Simcock's stayer, with Simple Verse, Litigant and the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite Order Of St George in mid-division.

Turning into the straight the leaders kicked and it was clear anything from off the pace would struggle to make up the ground, but Harley's tactical nous came to the fore and he was well placed to strike.

Simple Verse and Order Of St George were closing deep inside the final furlong, with Quest For More once again running out of his skin, but the 11-1 winner scored by half a length.

Quest For More clung on for second with Simple Verse another half a length back in third and Gold Cup hero Order Of St George only fourth.

Harley said: "I'm out of breath! He always delivers on the big day - full credit to the horse, he's tough.

"They didn't go very quick, but my lad has won over shorter so I knew he had a change of gear.

"David thought he would be in the money, and a furlong down I knew I had the front two covered."

Simcock said: "Martin gave him a lovely ride and it was nice how it panned out. Nearly Caught set a nice marker and he could get into a rhythm and that's what suits him.

"He's such an easy horse to train, he trains himself - all he does is show his well-being at home. The head man rides him and tells me he's well, I trust him.

"We knew he was in pretty good shape.

"I don't normally get excited watching my horses but I did today, it's an important day, a wonderful day's racing so to win with an old pro like this makes it worthwhile. "

Roger Charlton, trainer of Quest For More, said: "I'm really pleased and so proud of him as he's so consistent. Having had a tough race two weeks ago, to come back and run within two or three feet of the horse that beat him at Doncaster was great.

"It was all I could ask for and it was probably arguably his best race with a Classic winner in behind and Order Of St George.

"Hopefully we'll go to Dubai."

Ralph Beckett, Simple Verse's trainer, said: "She got every yard of the trip, she just ran out of racecourse.

"She was coming at the end, she's run very well and I think the likelihood is she'll stay in training."