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Ascot Gold Cup Betting Preview: Fame And Glory favourite for Ascot feature race

The undoubted highlight of the Royal Ascot meeting is the Ascot Gold Cup and this year's renewal on Ladies' Day looks as though it could be wide open. Fame And Glory heads the betting at 2/1 with Ladbrokes, after defending champion Rite Of Passage was ruled out of Thursday's Group 1 due to a setback in training.

Rite Of Passage's trainer Dermot Weld has announced that his 7-year-old champion won't defend his title after concerns were raised in training earlier this week. It is a major blow to connections of the gelding who was a surprise 20/1 winner by a neck from Age of Aquarius a year ago.

The reigning champion had made an encouraging start to the 2011 season at Leopardstown last month, his first outing since Royal Ascot last year, as he finished third to Fame And Glory after travelling well.

Despite winning at Leopardstown, Fame And Glory was workmanlike rather than exceptional in victory as the 5-year-old laboured to a half length victory. Connections are confident he will stay the 2 mile 4 furlong trip, which is one of the most testing in flat racing, as he steps up to that distance for the first time - but the way he struggled over 1 mile 6 furlongs at Leopardstown will be a concern.

The ante-post favourite certainly has factors in his favour though as trainer Aidan O'Brien is a four time winner of the Gold Cup (2006-2009) and that is a record that demands respect. While Fame And Glory is a former Irish Derby winner and will be the one to beat.

Away from Fame And Glory, John Gosden's Yorkshire Cup winner, Duncan, was a hugely impressive winner over the 1 mile 6 furlong trip at York last month as the 5-year-old stormed away over the last two furlongs. Duncan was 11/4 favourite that day but could be worth backing at 5/1 with Ladbrokes.com at Ascot.

Godolphin are represented by 9/1 shot and Melbourne Cup sixth Holberg, who was well beaten on his comeback run at Sandown in May. The 5-year-old was third to Blue Bajan in the Henry II Stakes after starting as favourite, although Holberg won't be short of backers after his exceptional display in Melbourne last November.

A tempting each-way bet could come in the form of 20/1 punt Askar Tau, who despite finishing sixth in the Yorkshire Cup is a proven stayer having won the Group 2 Lonsdale and Doncaster Cups, as well as the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes over 2 miles at Ascot in April.

Elsewhere, Francois Doumen enters Kasbah Bliss, available at 14/1 in the betting with Ladbrokes, with the French star looking to make up for disappointment in the race last year. The 9-year-old was well beaten into sixth and has not raced since April in a bid to keep him fresh for Ascot.

20/1 chance Geordieland is back for a fourth crack at the Gold Cup, while Yorkshire Cup third Manighar (12/1) and Group 2 Longchamp winner Brigantin (16/1) could also have a say if Fame And Glory fails to hit the heights.

Ascot Gold Cup Latest Betting

2/1 Fame And Glory
5/1 Duncan
8/1 Blue Bajan
9/1 Holberg
12/1 Manighar
14/1 Kasbah Bliss
16/1 Brigantin
16/1 Geordieland
16/1 Fictional Account
20/1 Askar Tau
20/1 Motrice
20/1 Tastahil
25/1 Opinion Poll
33/1 BAR

Odds supplied by Ladbrokes.com bookmakers, with best odds guaranteed on all British and Irish horse racing.

Posted: Thursday, 9th June 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: royal ascot, ascot gold cup, fame and glory, rite of passage, ladbrokes,

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