Register for FREE to read this article.

Already have an account?

You have article views left.
Register for FREE to read more articles.

Already have an account?

Remind me next time

The feature race at Royal Ascot is the Group One Ascot Gold Cup run on the Thursday. A lung bursting long distance race run over two and a half miles, it has been won by the greatest stayers down through the years including Sagaro (three times), Le Moss and Ardross twice and Yeats no less than four times.

Ascot Tips –

Recommended Bets:-

Leading Light@ 9/4

Altano@ 12/1 (e/w)

Going Somewhere(n/r)

The key to the Ascot Gold Cup is normally to find an out and out stayer that relishes fast ground; easy, right? But we were badly thwarted here at easyodds.com in 2012 when our selection, Saddlers Rock was hugely inconvenienced by a slow early gallop and only really got into the race proper when the winner had flown. In the 2013 renewal the slow early pace meant we didn't really get a test of stamina so it wasn't really a bona fide staying championship event.

However, this year’s race promises to contain a more than worthy favourite in the form of the 2013 Queen’s Vase and St Leger hero LEADING LIGHT. The only negative about this horse is that I am annoyed with myself that I didn’t put him up before the Vintage Crop Stakes when he was available at 4/1 and is now is down to 9/4!!!

There is nothing sexy about this horse, he is straightforward, not flashy and just gets the job done and rather like the great Yeats he appeals as a stayer that will get better and better as he matures through the years. I loved the way he just kept on pulling out more when challenged by Galileo Rock and Talent at Doncaster and was well on top at the finish and looked like this extended trip will hold no terrors for him. And I think the added plus is that he acts around Ascot, more of an issue on the straight course I know, but it is an asset whatever the trip at the Berkshire track as well.

Furthermore, his ability to act on all kinds of ground is another plus, won the Queen’s Vase on good to firm, and he is as solid a favourite as we could wish to have for the race especially as the current holder, Estimate, is struggling to be ready to defend her title.

Tac De Boistron is obviously worthy of respect having bolted up in the Sagaro Stakes and then giving weight all-round he was just run out of a follow-up success by the progressive Gospel Choir in the Yorkshire Cup. The key to his chance though is a forgiving surface and if he gets it I suspect he will be the biggest player against the favourite. If he doesn’t, then it is safe to assume he simply won’t run and will be saved for the Prix Royal-Oak and Prix Cadran at the backend of the season in France when he is assured of getting his conditions.

The rest of the likely players at this stage are much of a muchness but there is an each-way case to be made for a couple of these at double figure prices. Let’s start with the veteran ALTANO, given a quite horrendous ride by his jockey. Pedroza held his partner up at the back of the field off a slow pace knowing he had a bottomless stayer under him that adores fast ground. Brought wide into the Ascot straight, suicidal tactics, he passed 10 horses inside the final quarter mile and should have been placed at the very worst. Then unbelievably he employed the same tactics in the Goodwood Cup, finishing with a blast in third spot!

It seemed like the jockey learned from those inept displays of race riding to sit in midfield to land the Prix du Cadran and this season kicked off his campaign by completing a hat-trick of wins in the Group Three Oleander-Rennen at Hoppegarten. Given a more positive ride there is no reason why this eight-year-old cannot hit the frame this year.

And a word on Brown Panther, winner of both of his starts this year and finally fulfilling the hopes of his connections. His win in the Henry II Stakes was achieved in fine style and although he will need more to land this prestigious race he is right in the mix. The one note of caution is that he is quite a heavy topped horse and as such won't want the ground to dry up too much.  

Of the big outsiders I can see Havana Beat running way above his price as I fancy he has been crying out for this kind of test and it wouldn't surprise me to see him creep into the frame. 

BET NOW - LEADING LIGHT

BET NOW - ALTANO