Racing

Pallasator to launch strong challenge for Epsom Gold Cup glory

Lots of support for Order of St George but Aidan O’Brien’s horse faces big step up in trip

Pallasator ridden by Andrea Atzeni wins the Doncaster Cup last September. Photograph: Julian Herbert/Getty Images
Pallasator ridden by Andrea Atzeni wins the Doncaster Cup last September. Photograph: Julian Herbert/Getty Images
Wed Jun 15 2016 - 22:27

Pallasator can take a starring role on day three of Royal Ascot by claiming the Gold Cup.

Aidan O’Brien’s Order Of St George is a short price to build on the promise he has shown so far but having run over no further than a mile and six furlongs, the step up to two and a half miles on testing ground is a huge question mark.

In contrast, the Mark Prescott-trained Pallasator has won over two and a quarter miles and has shown an aptitude for soft conditions having won on heavy at Haydock.

Pallasator looked to be a horse on the up in 2014, but he was a bit disappointing last term before finally coming good with a comfortable three-quarter-length success in the Doncaster Cup last September.

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He met with trouble in running in his final start of the year in the Long Distance Cup at this track, finishing behind the reopposing Flying Officer and Clever Cookie after being checked in his challenge with a couple of furlongs to run.

Though conceding weight all round, Pallasator showed he had not gone backwards when beating Suegioo, Max Dynamite and Burmese by two and a quarter lengths on his return in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown last month.

Pallasator does tend to get worked up before the off and has his quirks, but if he can keep his cool, he could outrun his odds and serve it up to the favourite.

Architecture brings quality form to the table in the Ribblesdale Stakes after chasing home Minding in the Oaks at Epsom earlier this month.

Hugo Palmer’s charge has just a maiden win to her credit so far but finished second in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield in May. She gave Minding a major fright and thoroughly deserves to take a leading role once more.

Architecture was eight lengths clear of the rest at Epsom and her rating of 114 puts her upwards of 13lb better than the opposition.

Kieren Fallon can secure an increasingly rare Royal meeting winner as Blue De Vega holds excellent claims in the Tercentenary Stakes.

The rider has partnered 30 winners in total at the showpiece fixture and the Michael O'Callaghan-trained Blue De Vega can augment that tally as he steps up to 10 furlongs for the first time.

It could be foolish to ignore Peace Envoy in the Norfolk Stakes after winning two of his three starts for Aidan O'Brien.