The Shanghai Race Club

(中文版)

The big news in the days building up to the Ascot Gold Cup has been the unfortunate withdrawal of last year’s winner, Rite Of Passage. Trainer Dermot Weld reported that his horse had suffered some training setbacks in the lead-up to the race and he had lost his battle against the clock to get him ready for Thursday’s big race.

So – no defending champion and therefore certainty that we will see a new name engraved on this famous trophy (held below by trainer Aidan O’Brien)

Here are the runners (with saddlecloth numbers) for the 2011 Ascot Gold Cup

1. Aaim To Prosper

Won a big staying handicap, The Cesarewitch, at Newmarket last autumn and definitely stays this trip. However,  lacks the class to land a Group 1 prize and a midfield spot looks his best hope.

2. Askar Tau

Won a Group 3 here at Ascot in the spring, but could only manage 4th behind Duncan in the Yorkshire Cup. Has been well beaten in all three attempts in Group 1 company and likely to be the same story here.

3. Blue Bajan

A veteran performer at the age of 9 years old and provides rookie trainer David O’Meara with his first runner in a Group 1 contest. Deserves his entry in this after landing the Heron Stakes at Sandown over 2 miles – but likelihood is he will lack the class in Group 1 company.

4. Duncan

Very smart middle distance horse, whose finest hour came when landing the key Prix de L’Arc De Triomphe trial last autumn, the Prix Foy. Showed he could prove to be a major force in staying races when landing the Yorkshire Cup and although he needs to prove his effectiveness over two and a half miles, he looks a serious threat to all.

5. Fame And Glory

Top class performer for Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore who has landed four Group 1 contests over middle distances. Didn’t set the world alight with two ordinary wins this season over extended trips for his new connections (he now races in the pink and green colours of Fitri Hay), but likely there will be improvement to come. Undoubtedly the key horse in the race – if he can reproduce his form over this trip, he will be incredibly tough to beat.

6. Geordieland

Remarkable old veteran who has finished in the frame on three occasions in the Ascot Gold Cup. However, this grey horse has been off the track for 643 days and it will be a miraculous training performance if he could make an impact again.

7. Holberg

A winner at Royal Ascot last year over 2 miles, Holberg certainly looks Sheikh Mohammed’s (above at Royal Ascot) best hope of landing this prize this season. He finished last season with a good 6th place in the Melbourne Cup and the ground was against him on his seasonal reappearance. If the rain stays away, he should run well for his powerful connections.

8. Kasbah Bliss

Top performer on the flat and over jumps over the years, but hasn’t quite looked at his best in recent starts and his stamina gave way in this race last season.

9. Manighar

Finished 3 lengths behind Holberg when 7th in the Melbourne Cup and ran a good race on his reappearance when 3rd behind Duncan in the Yorkshire Cup. Has a bit to find on form, but could run into a place.

10. Opinion Poll

Another Godolphin representative for Sheikh Mohammed. Ran creditably in Dubai when placed three times in the Dubai Carnival, but seems to lack a bit of the class required for Group 1s.

11. Tastahil

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum owned stayer who has twice finished second carrying big weights in the Chester Cup. Was well held in this race last year, though, and needs to find significant improvement to land a Group 1.

12. The Betchworth Kid

Decent handicapper on the flat and over jumps, but not really up to Group races and would be a surprise winner of this

13. Brigantin

French raider trained by recent Epsom Derby winning trainer, Andre Fabre. Progressed from Listed races last season into a Group winner this term when landing a Group 2 at Longchamp in May. Needs to find further improvement here to trouble the leading contenders, but he is only 4 and is in the right hands. An interesting contender.

14. Fictional Account

Irish Mare who won a Listed race over 2 miles at Ascot last autumn. Raced twice in IReland this term and has finished behind Fame And Glory on both occasions. Capable of putting in a good show, but hard to see her being good enough to win.

15. Motrice

Four year old staying mare trained by Sir Mark Prescott for Billionaire Kirsten Rausing (above). Motrice did nothing but improve last season and she finished 2010 with 3 placed efforts in Group company. Needs to improve again, but she looks a real stayer and this extended trip could unlock some further improvement.

Verdict: The key horse in the race is Coolmore’s Fame and Glory and if Aidan O’Brien’s colt can reproduce his middle distance form over 2 miles 4 furlongs then he will surely win this. His performances this season have raised a doubt over whether he can do that though and it could be that Sheikh Mohammed could get one over his fiercest rivals by landing this prize with HOLBERG. He showed his love for Ascot when winning impressively at the Royal Meeting last season and this stamina test should really suit him. Motrice and Brigantin look like other strong contenders to make the frame.

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