Royal Ascot 2013 - Thursday: jumpers for Ladies' Day?

The Ascot Gold Cup is one of my favourite races on the Flat - this year's renewal looks very open with 18 set to face the starter. The Queen's filly Estimate gets her allowance and is bound to be popular but this looks a tough ask. Colour Vision had Saddler's Rock half a length and a neck behind in third when winning last year's renewal but the latter-named appeared unfortunate that day while Dermot Weld's 2010 winner Rite Of Passage is talented but fragile. Earlier in the week I fancied Simenon for this but the threat of rain is a worry; nonetheless Willie Mullins' charge won the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra Stakes four days later at last year's meeting so it's no surprise to see connections going for gold. Much of the value has disappeared from Simenon's price (7/1) and on official ratings he has enough to find with a few in the field. I'll stay loyal to Simenon but Saddler's Rock had both Colour Vision and the selection behind in last year's Goodwood Cup (run over two miles) so I'm considering a saver on Saddler's Rock...

Away from the posh coats and fancy frocks of Royal Ascot, I intend to chance Awaywiththegreys on his first try over fences at Ffos Las (7.05). Propsect Wells will make the market but in a Weekender Stable Tour (published 03.04.13-07.04.13) handler Peter Bowen said:

'He won a couple of novice hurdles in June and October last year, ending up with a rating of 133, but he will be much better over fences and has schooled brilliantly. He has had a break for the past few months but will be back for the summer and is definitely one to follow first time out which will be in early May.'

Propsect Wells was rated 149 when winning the Game Spirit at Fontwell in February but was turned over at odds of 1/4 on his chasing debut at that track and may not be the most natural chaser in the making.