I don't think we have seen a standout two year old this week just yet and I don't harbour high hopes we are going to see one today either. The Norfolk doesn't look too hot so there is nothing to fear in my view so I'm putting up PERFECT POWER for the Richard Fahey stable. He fluffed the start on debut but showed plenty of gears to get himself involved in the finish but put that right next time out at Hamilton. Any horse who comes from off the pace at Hamilton is worth noting and that is what this horse did in good style. He was strongest at the finish so this stiff 5f should really suit.
I think the Godolphin pair ONE RULER & SECRET PROTECTOR are worth following in this race. The former has the standout two year old form but hasn't hit top form just yet this season but this drop to 1m 2f might just be the key to him. He didn't stay in the Derby but got outpaced in the Guineas over the mile so I think this intermediate trip will be perfect. I wouldn't be surprised if his stablemate shook up a few feathers here. He got trounced by the favourite in this race last time but I'm not sure the way that race turned out suited this horse too much and he will be much more at home running at a good pace here.
The Ribblesdale looks a pretty tame affair and I'm quite keen on DUBAI FOUNTAIN who simply didn't act on the track at Epsom last time out. Her earlier run at Chester was impressive and her two year old form confirms she is a classy individual. If you can ignore the last run, then 11/1 has to sound appealing?
I think Stradivarius will probably win the Gold Cup today but is too short to put up in this column. Most of the others have tried and failed in the past so I don't see any reason why they should reverse form today. PRINCESS ZOE has been undoubtedly trained for this race by her shrewd connections and she certainly won't lack for stamina so I fancy her to run into a place at a big price.
The Brittania is a filthy handicap and I feel quite embarrassed to put up a 5/1 favourite in MITHRAS but he looks like a proven Group horse in a handicap. His win at Newbury is rock solid form and I'd immediately have him on a mark over 100 for that run alone but he remains on 98 after a disappointing run at Sandown last time which was excused. He's got maximum assistance from the saddle so I'm hoping he can negate his way through this packed field and pick up the victory.
Two of my biggest fancies of the week run in the same race unfortunately but both are at a decent price so Im backing both. SISKANY has really impressed me the past twice and the form of both races are working out well. After setting his own pace at Sandown last time I felt like he may get swallowed up on the run for home but instead he powered away and won easy, beating a good field. He should improve enormously for the switch to a big field handicap like this and I think he has an outstanding chance.
KONDO ISAMI is the second horse I'm putting up in the race and although he got beat last time, he lost very little in defeat. I think he is one of those horses who always just does enough and that was probably his undoing last time. In a big field like this, his mind should be on the job and I don't think hitting the front too soon will be a problem. He looks a real nice stayer in the making and is in the right hands so at 14/1 he is a sound each way bet.
I was keen on Aldaary last time and I do think he is a group horse but I can't put up another favourite in a filthy handicap today so I'm going with my old friend BOARDMAN who should love the test this race poses. He travels so well in his races and there hasn't been a horse who can take him into the race long enough so there may be more to come in this big field. Old favourite, SHELIR, is another who should be considered as this is arguably his optimum conditions.
2.30 – Perfect Power
3.05 – One Ruler/Secret Protector
3.40 – Dubai Fountain
4.15 – Princess Zoe
5.00 – Mithras
5.35 – Siskany/Kondo Isami
6.10 – Boardman/Shelir
