Tattersalls Gold Cup 2013

3.20 Curragh

Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €130,200


Advice: 2 pts win Al Kazeem (11/4 Ladbrokes, 5/2 Hills) 

Al Kazeem: Promising as 3yo, improving when stepped up in trip after winning valuable handicap (second to subsequent Group 2 winner Sea Moon at York in 2011) and deeply impressive in the Jockey Club Stakes in May of last year; Injury kept him off the track until April but dealt with Thomas Chippendale in good style at Sandown when readily landing Gordon Richards Stakes and may still have more to give, so a bigger threat to Camelot than prices suggest and big chance at the prices here.

Camelot: The outstanding 3yo of last season, completing first two legs of Triple Crown before being edged out in the Leger (may have been given too much ground to make up), after which he was well over the top when unable to land a proper blow in the Arc (couldn’t go through heavy ground); Impressive that he’s back after life threatening colic and surely has more to give than when he was workmanlike in Mooresbridge Stakes (will come on huge amounts for that), for all that his collateral form isn’t as strong as his achievements. 

 

Windsor Palace: Here to make the pace; Not to be allowed too much leeway.

Negociate: No chance, and here to pick up black type if she finishes third.

VERDICT: Effectively a match between Camelot and AL KAZEEM, although one that could well be captivating, with Windsor Palace here to set a strong pace for them to aim at. If Camelot is as good as hoped last year then he’ll take some beating but he’s priced as if this is a mere formality and Al Kazeem is capable of giving him a race and then some at the very least.