Angus McNae's Racing UK Blog
	Thursday 18th June 2015

Earn a Trip To Paris in Gold Cup

We did not have a disaster yesterday as Touchline made the frame in the Sandringham to reward our each-way support at 10/1. However, it was frustrating that Ayaar did not also make the frame in the Royal Hunt Cup for our each-way double. Nonetheless, I will remain interested in that horse, particularly when if he is dropped in trip. The Bunbury Cup springs to mind as a decent target for him.

As for today I think we should be backing Trip To Paris in the Gold Cup. Let's be frank, he should have won the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Given the prevailing pace he was given an overly patient ride and he should be rated as the narrow winner of that race. His win in the Chester Cup showed that he is more than capable at distances beyond two miles and, unlike some of his rivals, he looks a certain stayer at today's trip of two and a half miles. I can see him making the frame at least and he must be backed each way.

King Of Rooks will be all the rage to win the opening Norfolk Stakes, but odds-on backers may be hit with a cruel blow as it is quite possible that Richard Hannon's other runner, Log Out Island, will be too good. I was impressed with his fast time win at Ascot last time and the fact that he has won here should not be underestimated. We should also remember that he had the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner Buratino back in third place. He is very speedy and I would not be surprised to see him make all the running. If you are planning  to have a big bet on him, then do have a look at him in the parade ring. He got very stirred up before his debut and on this big occasion you would not want to see him boiling over. Nonetheless he should be supported to turn the odds-on favourite over.

My final selection today is Nafaqa in the Tercentenary Stakes at 3.05. Tried at this trip last time, he pulled too hard under Paul Hanagan who prefers Mustadeem. Now with plenty of pace assured and a change of pilot, in the form of Dane O Neill, I think we can expect a better performance. Of late he has been knocking heads with the likes of Golden Horn and Elm Park and this is much more his level. He is a decent price and should be backed each way.

Angus McNae's Thursday tips:

2.30 Ascot: Log Out Island

3.05 Ascot: Nafaqa (each way)

4.20 Ascot: Trip to Paris (each way)