SHEIKH ’EM UP!
THEY say Ladies Day at Ascot is as much about fashion as it is about horses.
Both pursuits come at a premium, although at least with fashion you’ve something to show for your money at the end of the day.
I know nothing about fashion, even though the clothes I wear never go out of style – they look ridiculous year after year.
My most embarrassing fashion faux pas occurred when I walked a first date back to her place and saw somebody wearing the same shirt as me – he was homeless.
I do know a bit about horseracing and the most expensive lesson I learned was not to back every short-priced favourite. It’s the fastest way to the poor house.
And that’s why I’m prepared Order Of St George to take on in today’s Gold Cup.
There’s no arguing he’s the rightful favourite but at the odds I’d rather look elsewhere, and on Ladies Day there are plenty of places to look.
Order Of St George is far from invincible, he was beaten in the Irish St Leger, third in the Arc and a disappointing fourth SHEIKHZAYEDROAD behind here on Champions Day.
Aidan O’Brien has practically owned this race in recent years with seven wins since 2006 and he’ll be a very popular man with the punters if Order Of St George retains his crown.
But I’m going to play the each-way game with Sheikhzayedroad who was third in this last year.
David Simcock’s eight-yearold impressed that day when making rapid late headway despite hanging badly down the home straight.
He loves fast ground, finished a place ahead of Big Orange on his most recent outing at Meydan and has that course victory to his (rather long) name.
I can see Big Orange setting the pace up front for most of the race until being picked off and passed at the finish by a succession of horses.
I’m fully expecting Sheikhzayedroad to be the fastest finishing of that bunch.