THEY say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so given how many of its namesakes are doing the rounds nowadays Ascot obviously came up with a real winner when they decided to stage their first Gold Cup back in 1807.
Notice the title of today's marathon isn't the Ascot Gold Cup, merely the much more stark Gold Cup.
Officials at the Royal course clearly take the view that anyone who has to be reminded where it's being run is beyond redemption.
In keeping w
ith all the other races run over the five days of the meeting, this afternoon's showpiece doesn't have a sponsor either but with a prize fund of £225,000, it seems to be managing quite well without one.
Twelve months ago, Yeats took the lion's share of that sum back to Ballydoyle with him and the bad news for all those hoping to stop the Irishman doing the same again is that trainer Aidan O'Brien believes Yeats could be even better this time.
Then, he was making his seasonal debut, but the odds-on favourite has already had a couple of starts this term, both winning ones, and on the evidence of those, back-to-back Gold Cup successes look his for the taking.
Market rival Sergeant Cecil could challenge if he gets a clearer run than when trailing in behind on his two previous meetings with Yeats,
while among those at much bigger prices, French raider Lord Du Sud looks an each-way possible.
Almost every member of the Norfolk Stakes field boasts winning form but Winker Watson appeared a promising individual when scoring on his only start at Newbury and he can follow up last year's victory of stablemate Dutch Art.
The 30-runner Britannia looks the type of event to approach with extreme caution but let's take the bull by the horns and nap Colorado Rapid.
One of four Mark Johnston trained runners in the race, the colt at one stage held an entry in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday which gives some idea of the regard he's held in.
This is a very different challenge but if the best bet really is as good as his trainer thinks he is, it's one Colorado Rapid can rise to.
Johnston also holds a strong hand in the finale where Eradicate would appear to be his main hope but even although the top-weight comfortably disposed of Ladies Best the last time they met, Kerrin McEvoy and his mount are fancied to take their revenge this time.
