27th-May-2018

The Tattersalls Gold Cup has been billed as a match between Cliffs Of Moher and Defoe, but I am taking a chance on Lancaster Bomber.  It is correct that he should be third favourite behind his stable companion Cliffs Of Moher and Defoe, but he shouldn’t be a 7/1 or 15/2 shot in my book.

True, he has only won once in 17 attempts, but he has been very highly tried, often as a pace-setter, and he has top class form.  He was only beaten a length by Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last June, he finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, he finished fourth in the last year’s 2000 Guineas, and he finished third behind Rhododendron in the Lockinge Stakes last Saturday.

He has been campaigned generally as a miler, his only two forays beyond a mile were in Meydan, but there is stamina in his pedigree, his dam was placed over 11 furlongs, and there is every chance that he will be at least as effective over today’s 10 furlongs as he is over a mile, possibly even more effective.

It is probable that he will get out in front today, and The Curragh is a good track for prominent racers, especially on fast ground.

Cliffs Of Moher stayed on well to win the Mooresbridge Stakes at Naas last time, but that was his first win in seven attempts since he was beaten in the Derby last year, and he has very little in hand of his stable companion on official ratings.

Defoe is progressive, but he had to battle to beat Red Verdon in the Jockey Club Stakes last time.  Red Verdon did enhance that form when he finished second behind Magic Circle in the Henry II Stakes on Thursday night at Sandown, but that was over two miles, and third-placed Count Octave was well beaten in the Yorkshire Cup next time.  Also, today’s ground might be faster than Defoe likes.

The ground will probably be faster than ideal for Success Days for man-of-the-moment Ken Condon, but there may not be much between the  other three.  Even on official ratings, there is very little between them.  Cliffs Of Moher and Lancaster Bomber are both rated 116, while Defoe is rated 115.  Defoe is progressive, but Lancaster Bomber will love the ground and could have the run of the race.  It would not be a surprise to see any of the three win it but, at respective prices, there is no doubt where the value lies.

LANCASTER BOMBER WON (ADV 15/2, SP 100/30)