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16:20 Royal Ascot

Thursday 22 June 2017

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Gold Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 4m 22.4s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Big Orange^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 117| C

5/1

Game front-runner who hasn't been seen to best effect while globe-trotting over the winter but returned at Sandown in much better form in the Henry II Stakes. Has skipped this race in favour of the Goodwood Cup in recent seasons but gets a well deserved crack at this and the fast ground will be in his favour provided the rain stays away. Not certain to get an easy lead but each-way claims regardless.

Form: 1030-41

(12)

Nearly Caught³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 113

66/1

Won back-to-back races at Deauville last year, the latest of those a slight below par Group 2 contest. Finished third on comeback run in the Sagaro stakes over 2m here and not beaten far in a Group 2 in Germany on latest start. Suspicion is that he would like to see some rain arrive and needs a career best to figure in this contest.

Form: 1135-32

(13)

Order Of St George²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120| CD

5/6

Easy winner of this contest last year but he was becoming a frustrating horse to follow after he was a beaten odds-on favourite for the third time in four starts in a Navan Group 3 on return to action this year. Appreciated the drop in class at Leopardstown last time out and will enjoy this extreme test of stamina with plenty of pace in the contest. Everything would appear to be in his favour but does need to return to somewhere near his best to win this.

Form: 1234-21

(9)

Quest For More^b²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 116| C| D

25/1

In fine form last year and only just beaten here on Champions Day over 2m. Stays this trip well and proved that by winning the Group 1 Prix Du Cadran Stakes at Chantilly last year, getting the better of top-class stayer Vazirabad in the process. Has done most of his winning with George Baker in the saddle but hasn't been in quite the same form for this jockey on his most recent starts and beaten out of sight by Big Orange at Sandown last time out; needs a career best to take this.

Form: 1212-97

(3)

Sheikhzayedroad^h⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 117| C

10/1

Won back-to-back Group 2 contests last season, including a win here on Champions Day and has been running well in defeat over at Meydan this winter, finishing a place ahead of Big Orange on his most recent start. Versatile tactics wise, loves fast ground and finished third in this contest last year so every chance he can go well again.

Form: 3311-33

(1)

Torcedor⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 111

20/1

Has started in fine form for this yard, winning both his starts and getting the better of Order Of St George in a Group 3 at Navan last time. That rival clearly below par so he's expected to reverse that form here and while his draw is ideal for a front-runner, no chance of an uncontested lead in this contest. Up against it.

Form: 5570-11

(2)

Trip To Paris⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 107| CD

50/1

Slightly surprising winner of this contest in 2015, benefiting from a fine ride by Graham Lee and not disgraced in a Melbourne Cup bid later that season, finishing fourth of 24. Not been at his best over the past couple of seasons though and well beaten in an uninspiring performance at Nottingham when last seen.

Form: 0/343-04

(5)

Harbour Law⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 114

33/1

Enjoyed an exceptional season last year, culminating with a shock win in the St Leger on final start of 2016. May have needed his comeback run here last time and will get the strong pace he needs in this contest. Likes to be played late and race could pan out well for him.

Form: 11241-7

(11)

Harrison²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 109

66/1

Couldn't get his head in front last year but highly tried throughout his campaign and appreciated the drop in class at Chelmsford when scoring on his return to action. Looks out of his depth somewhat in this company for now though.

Form: 3946-14

(14)

Prince Of Arran⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: T P Queally| T: C Fellowes| OR: 107

66/1

Runner-up behind Sweet Selection here in a Group 3 last month, proving he can be as effective on turf as he is on the AW, but he had the benefit of two warm up races to that contest, so may struggle to reverse the form with Sweet Selection who may come on for the run.

Form: 714-352

(6)

Endless Time³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112

20/1

Top-class form to finish second to the formidable Vazirabad at Saint-Cloud in October and comeback at York was a muddling contest that's hard to assess. Likely to be seen to better effect here and yard have been amongst the winners here this week already; should run well provided she stays this far.

Form: 1/1922-4

(8)

She Is No Lady²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Fran Berry| T: R M Beckett| OR: 101

50/1

Well behind Big Orange at Sandown on latest run and nothing in the formbook to suggest she's ready to mix it at this level just yet. Would probably want a little cut in the ground to be seen at her best.

Form: 21201-3

(4)

Simple Verse³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113| C

15/2

2015 St Leger winner who ran well at York on her return to action this season. All her best form has come with cut in the ground and this kind of stamina test is an unknown. Probably best watched this time around.

Form: 24713-2

(10)

Sweet Selection⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: H Morrison| OR: 105| C

14/1

Won the Cesarewitch last year and returned to action with a fine win a Group 3 contest here last month in the Sagaro Stakes. Entitled to come on for that run and not fully exposed yet so could go well despite having plenty to make up on official figures.

Form: 11451-1

Forecasts

Order Of St George (5/6), Big Orange (5/1), Simple Verse (15/2), Sheikhzayedroad (10/1), Sweet Selection (14/1), Torcedor (20/1), Endless Time (20/1), Quest For More (25/1), Harbour Law (33/1), She Is No Lady (50/1), Trip To Paris (50/1), Prince Of Arran (66/1), Nearly Caught (66/1), Harrison (66/1)

While Order Of St George is likely to be a big hit with punters after his success in the race last year, he's likely to go off a short enough price for a horse who has been a little disappointing since that victory. BIG ORANGE may be able to give Aidan O'Brien's runner a run for his money provided his jockey gets the fractions right on the front end. He looked like he was returning to his best at Sandown when last seen and he may come on for that run. Two mares in the race, Endless Time and Sweet Selection would both appear to have solid place chances and it's the former who is narrowly preferred after a fine runner-up effort behind smart French stayer, Vazirabad, towards the end of last season.