JACOBS’ Crackers

THE king is dead, long live the king!

For star stayer Order of St George is about to meet his maker in the form of in the Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday.

And at around 9-4 he represents the best bet of the week at the famous royal meeting.

Despite winning the Goodwood Cup on a soft surface, good or fast ground is his optimum set-up and I expect the John Gosden raider to land the feature ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s charge.

Easy winner of the Yorkshire Cup on his seasonal debut, the son of Sea The Stars is set to run over the marathon trip of two-and-a-half miles for the first time and I think he will see it out thoroughly if the weather stays dry and the ground remains quick.

(2.30) can get the French off to a flying start by landing the opening Queen Anne Stakes. His turn of foot can enable him to see off the filly Rhododendron.

But the best bet of the day could well be Richard Fahey’s (3.05) (each-way) in the Coventry Stakes. He pulverised his rivals at Epsom in the Woodcote Stakes and will relish this galloping six furlongs.

All my efforts will be focused on the Royal Hunt Cup and my two against the field are Irish raiders and (5.00). Trainer Hugo Palmer told me that

(3.40) will run a big race in the Duke of Cambridge.

He said: “She will love the fast ground and has come on a lot for her first run of the season at Leicester.” The Commonwealth Cup (3.40) looks a brilliant renewal, but the Charlie Hills’ trained is held in very high regard by connections and has bundles of improvement to come.

(4.20) could be worth an each-way play for Mick Channon in the feature Coronation Stakes.

The Wokingham could well be at the mercy of the Group One bound Dreamfield, but he represents no value at all at 4-1 in a

30-runner field and I will be having a major each-way play on

(5.00).

The Diamond Jubilee Stakes has several major players over the six furlongs but at double-figure odds, (4.20) makes the most each-way appeal.

The best bet of the day today could well be the Galileo filly

(4.50) at Cork.

She showed plenty on her debut and can step forward to open her account here.

The feature Cathedral Stakes Salisbury may well go to

(4.25). He will appreciate this much stiffer track after running well at Newbury on his return. at

(4.55) may make up for a disappointing run last time out by taking the fillies’ handicap.