ASCOT GOLD CUP (2m 4f)

Fame And Glory is all the rage ahead of the feature race on Day Three at Royal Ascot as another one of Aidan O’Brien’s stellar performers looks all set to scoop one of the meetings main events. Some consider the Ascot Gold Cup to be the highlight of the entire meeting and as one of the longest races of the flat season, the 2m4f contest is a real test of stamina. The bookmakers have installed Fame and Glory as the 11-10 favourite for the race as he bids for a repeat of his success twelve months ago. But his old rival Opinion Poll, who he has beaten on his last two visits to Ascot heads the list of dangers which also include recent Kempton victor Colour Vision. Get a free £25 bet on any race at Royal Ascot with William Hill or check out our Royal Ascot free bets section.

Fame And Glory Winner of this race last year and set for another bold bid after game win at Navan holding off the useful mare Unaccompanied. Won at this course on his final run last season in the Group 3 Champions Long Distance Cup and preparations for this year’s race could not have gone any better and is rightly the one to beat again this time around.

Opinion Poll Finished a close up second to Fame and Glory the last twice but won a competitive looking Group 3 over in Meydan in March before a convincing win returned to Sandown last time. No problems with trip and another bold bid likely but needs to pull out a little bit more to finally reverse the placings with Fame and Glory. Read about our free bets for the 2013 Cheltenham Festival here.

Colour Vision Progressive type when with Mark Johnston and scored on first run for Godolphin in Group 3 event at Kempton last time over 2m. Needs to eke out further improvement in this field but likely that he will and closely matched with stablemate Opinion Poll.

Saddler’s Rock Four length winner over Opinion Poll in a Group 2 at Doncaster over 2m2f on his penultimate run but beaten on reappearance in a listed even in his native Ireland latest. Suspicion the heavy ground did him no favours that day and should be seen in better light if taking to these conditions.

One of the very best races of the meeting and one in which Opinion Poll will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky in his bid to overturn the places with last year’s victor FAME AND GLORY. However, Aidan O’Brien who saddled Yeats to four consecutive Ascot Gold Cup wins between 2006 and 2009, is on course for another win with Fame And Glory, who is a consistent and proven performer at Ascot. Saddler’s Rock can follow him home. Get a free £25 bet on any race at Royal Ascot with William Hill.

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