Treble chance is on for Ballydoyle stayer to etch name in racing history

Jun 19 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

YEATS has already written himself in Royal Ascot folklore by winning two Gold Cups, but he can mark himself out as one the greatest stayers with a hat-trick of successes today.

Aidan O’Brien’s seven-year-old joined the list of dual winners under Mick Kinane 12 months ago.

Although he is unlikely to be improving too much at his advanced years and he has a younger, potentially improving rival in Coastal Path, the son of Sadler’s Wells can emulate Sagaro (1975-77) and secure a historic hat-trick of wins.

He warmed up for today’s 2m4f showpiece with a battling win over 1m5f at Navan, and although the opposition is stiffer, O’Brien will have him spot-on now.

He had the class to win the Coronation Cup and was favourite for the Derby has a three-year-old before injury denied him his chance. He has shown in the last two years he has both the high cruising and staying power to secure this unique prize.

O’Brien can add even more success with King Of Rome in the Hampton Court Stakes (4.55pm).

He never really got going in the Vodafone Derby, but the fact stable jockey Johnny Murtagh rode him out of all the Ballydoyle team shows what he thought of him.

Second in the Lingfield Derby Trial, back down to Listed level and in trip to 1m2f he can keep the Ballydoyle band-wagon rolling.

John Gosden’s Michita is another should be better suited by the more conventional Ascot track than the ups and downs of Epsom and can win in the Ribblesdale Stakes (3.05pm).

John Gosden knows how to ready a horse for Royal Ascot and after her third behind Look Here in the Vodafone Oaks a couple of week ago, Michita can go a couple of places better.

Slugger O’Toole looks a decent each-way prospect in a tricky looking 30-runner Britannia Stakes (4.20pm).

There can be a case made for several including Gosden’s Virtual and Throne Of Power. But Barry Hills’ Slugger O’Toole arrives in fine form. On his Newmarket success at the Guineas meeting last month he looks up to taking this typically competitive seven-furlong.

The three-year-old gelding disappointed slightly at Epsom last time, but he still ran with great credit to finish third just over three lengths behind Bellomi. With the required breaks he can return to winning ways.

Others to note are Mark Johnston’s Drill Sergeant in the King George V Handicap (5.30pm), and Marcus Tregoning’s Finjaan in the Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm).

ROYAL ASCOT PREDICTIONS (Day Three):

2.30pm Finjaan

3.05pm (Ribblesdale Stakes) Michita

3.45pm (Gold Cup) 1 YEATS 2 Coastal Path 3 Geordieland

4.20pm Slugger O’Toole (NAP)

4.55pm King Of Rome

5.30pm Colony