Royal Ascot - Gold Cup

Royal Ascot (Day 3, Race 3)

Gold Cup (British Champions´ Series) (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £154,698

Pick: Fame & Glory (win)

Aaim To Prosper: Did well when repelling all comers to win the Cesarewitch off mark of 87 on final start last season; Ran respectably in Group 3 at Ascot on seasonal return but held by Holberg and Blue Bajan on his fourth at Sandown last time.

Askar Tau: One of leading stayers in 2009, completing Group 2 double with success in Doncaster Cup, having previously taken Lonsdale; Has struggled to find best form since but seemed as if he was at peak form when winning Sagaro Stakes but held on form in Yorkshire Cup.

Blue Bajan: Ran as well as he has ever done when second in 1m6f Yorkshire Cup in second run back from over a year off and travelled like a dream when landing Henry II Stakes at Sandown; Supplemented for this off the back of that and can go well (looks like a sure stayer).

Duncan: Quirky horse; best ever season last year, with a Hardwicke second added to with a win in the Foy on trials day; Not up to it in the Arc but boasts some of the best form claims and underlined those with win under penalty (battled well) in Yorkshire Cup latest; Serious chance here if he lasts out 2m4f (should).

Fame & Glory: Developed into a top class older horse last year, taking a Group 1 double with wins in the Tattersalls & Coronation Cup (took two other Group events); Lined up for another crack at the Arc last year but hit by Planetur & lost all chance after that (so clearly much better than fifth suggests); Made first appearance over a staying trip when only just holding off Nebula Storm in Vintage Crop Stakes (travelled extremely well before folding) & again didn’t impress everybody again when only just lasting out in Saval Beg Stakes (many have now suggested he won’t stay) but still the class act of this field, trainer has excellent record with stayers and pedigree suggests this trip will be fine.

Geordieland: Has been desperately unlucky to bump into Yeats twice in attempts to win this race the last twice, and has had plenty of success in other staying events; Richard Hughes is perfect ride for him but huge layoff his a lot to ask of him.

Holberg: Began building on impressive 2009 Queen’s Vase win for Godolphin last season, winning on reappearance for second year running at Goodwood before signing off with very solid Melbourne Cup fifth (bad trip) & found the ground too soft when third on seasonal debut in Henry II Stakes and can go well here.

Kasbah Bliss: Top class, one of best dual purpose horses of recent years; Smart turn of foot and arguably unlucky not to have won several more races and can be given more than an outside chance here if things go right.

Manighar: Progressed into potential top stayer with promising placed efforts in Australian races towards latter end of last season and returned in same form when beaten only by Blue Bajan and Duncan in Yorkshire Cup; Worse off with Duncan so this more difficult but he should be in the mix.

Opinion Poll: Made steady progress last season when winning Group 2 event and threatened to take a Group 1 last season, with creditable efforts in top staying races; Fourth in Longchamp Group 2 needs improving on although longer test should suit.

Tastahil: Best form includes a 5 lengths Group 3 win (puts him well ahead of Motrice); Also beaten Opinion Poll, Samuel & Fictional Account in last six runs and will improve for topweighted return in Chester Cup; Downside is that he was well trashed in this last year.

The Betchworth Kid: Beneficiary of fitness from hurdling and fantastic Hayley Turner ride when getting up in Listed event but put in place after Sagaro Stakes latest and this needs more from him so others preferred despite being worth a crack at this trip.

Brigantin: Progressed for new trip last season when winning Prix Du Luttece and biggest win yet when winner of Prix Vicomtesse Vigier latest, promising to stay further; This biggest task yet but not realized full potential for a trip.

Fictional Account: Winner of three races in 2010, (one of them a competitive 2m event at Ascot) and ran a good race on her seasonal comeback when third behind Nebula Storm and Fame & Glory in Vintage Crop (went some way clear about 2f out); Needs to improve again to reverse form from listed fourth last time out and needs to improve.

Motrice: Highly-progressive filly, having won 3 on trot over 1m6f when coming a good third in Moet Hennessy Fillies' Stakes (form given major boosts since) & again progression even when well beaten behind Tastahil in backend Group 3; Promises to stay really well again but on seasonal debut, this some task.

VERDICT: Chances can be given to many in the field but the class act is FAME & GLORY, who can prove his doubters wrong by taking a fourth Group 1 event. Many have questioned his stamina but his pedigree is promising and his attitude is not in question. Duncan and Holberg are the seen as the main threats but any number could take a hand.