Timeform Daily: Thursday, Royal Ascot 3:50 - Gold Cup

Royal Ascot / Timeform / 17 June 2010 / Leave a Comment

"Ask is a high-class performer who had no problems with the step up to two miles when landing the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in October. He has an impeccable record fresh and there is a good chance he will stay this far."

The ultimate Cup race...

Ask is a high-class performer who had no problems with the step up to two miles when landing the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in October. He has an impeccable record fresh and there is a good chance he will stay this far.

Bannaby's career highlight came when landing the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in2008. This is his first thorough test of stamina since, but it's hard to say what he's still capable of, his recent win only at Madrid.

Kasbah Bliss is one of the few in the field with proven stamina for this test, making the frame in the last two runnings of the Prix du Cadran, and is sure to be staying on when others have cried enough.

Purple Moon shaped as if retaining most, if not all, his ability when chasing home Manifest in the Yorkshire Cup last time, but he has eight lengths to find with that one and has his work cut out just to reverse those placings.

Rite Of Passage is raised in class having won both starts on the Flat last year, impressive in winning the prestigious handicap in November. He developed into one of the leading novice hurdlers last winter, too, but this demands more.

Tastahil is a smart performer who looked as good as ever when second in the Chester Cup last month, but he has come up a little short on all his previous attempts in pattern company.

Age Of Aquarius represents the stable that has won the last four runnings of the race with Yeats. He needs to progress a bit more again, but he is still lightly raced and is a strong galloper who should appreciate this stiffer test.

Akmal was highly progressive in 2009, bagging seven wins, and produced his best performance yet when landing the Group 2 Henry II Stakes at Sandown recently, but this represents another jump in class.

Darley Sun was hugely progressive in 2009, culminating in a stylish win in the Cesarewitch in October. He made a respectable start for Godolphin when third to Akmal at Sandown, but Frankie Dettori prefers Kite Wood.

Kite Wood looked a high-class stayer in the making when taking care of Kasbah Bliss in a Group 2 on his reappearance. He is Frankie Dettori's choice of rides and chances if his stamina doesn't give way upped another four furlongs.

Manifest took another big step forward when thrashing Purple Moon in the Yorkshire Cup last month. He always shaped as though stamina is his strong suit, and should continue to be hard to beat in the Cup races.

Montaff is a temperamental sort with only one win to his name. He was as good as ever when fifth to Akmal at Sandown last month, but he is flying too high here.

Clowance is a lightly-raced mare, she produced highly creditable efforts when making the frame both starts at the highest level in 2009. She was disappointing on her reappearance, though, and a lot more is needed now tackling a longer trip.

VERDICT

Manifest has the potential to make up into a very good Cup horse, but he is plenty short enough in the betting and ASK makes more appeal at his odds. Kasbah Bliss is one of very few who's proved himself at the trip and is another interesting one at a bigger price.