DOZENS of horses have won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot twice since its inception in 1807, but only one, the mighty Sagaro (1975-77), has completed the hat-trick.
Yeats bids to emulate that great stayer by gaining his third consecutive victory in the marathon, the highlight of another super day.
While Aidan O'Brien's wonderful servant looks sure to start a short price, there is no doubt he faces his stiffes
t task to date with the French-trained Coastal Path yet another serious Gold Cup hope from the yard of Andre Fabre.
Add to the mix last year's runner-up, the unpredictable but sometimes brilliant Geordieland, and Sir Michael Stoute's mare Allegretto, who took on the French in their own backyard a year ago and landed the Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp. Last year's third, the German-trained Le Miracle, also renews the battle and the race has a truly fascinating complexion.
Fast ground will suit Yeats better than Coastal Path but with rain forecast in the area the latter may have conditions in his favour. Unbeaten in six starts in his native country, he tackles this trip for the first time and generally races on soft ground but, at three years younger than Yeats, he has a great deal more scope.
Geordieland, a regular winner in France early in his career, gained his first victory in the UK in the Yorkshire Cup last month when Shane Kelly rode a brilliant race on Jamie Osborne's enigmatic performer.
Whether he is up to performing at the same level for a second consecutive race is debatable but he has become a popular horse and the stands will erupt if he can claim this great prize.
Yeats is the one to beat on fast ground but Coastal Path, a younger and more progressive type, gets the vote to go one better than his half-brother Reefscape, runner-up to Yeats in 2006, especially if the going eases as expected.
Mark Johnston rarely leaves the Royal fixture winnerless and has a very strong entry today. Alan Munro gets a rare ride for the stable in the closing King George V Heritage Handicap on board the progressive Missioner, who looks the best bet on the card for the Middleham-based handler.
Described by Johnston as a "frustrating but talented colt who saves a bit for himself," Missioner may be a step ahead of the handicapper and should be suited by the longer trip today.
Thebes has been fortunate to creep into the bottom of the weights in the Britannia Handicap and, as Johnston has aimed the fast-improving three-year-old at the race for some time, he looks certain to give a good account of himself. However, he can only be an each-way selection in what is a very competitive event and I would not be surprised to see Munro, this time on board Jaser for Peter Chapple-Hyam, take the spoils as he has been progressing with every run.
The proximity of the Derby meeting to Royal Ascot has undoubtedly devalued the Ribblesdale Stakes, so often a compensation event for those fillies beaten in the Oaks.
Two of today's entries, Cape Amber and Michita, were behind Look Here at Epsom but neither got particularly competitive and I would rather side with Sir Michael Stoute's Sovereign's Honour.
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