There is no getting away from the fact that Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup has fallen short of its old standard this year even before the possibility that Roger Varian might take out the G3 John Porter S. and G2 Jockey Club S. winner Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) if he deems the ground to be too quick. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's generally reliable 4-year-old has yet to race on ground quicker than good, and so his trainer is understandably nervous that the surface will get too fast. “Defoe has been declared to run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but his participation will depend on how quick the ground is and I intend to walk the course on Sunday,” he explained. “He has certainly earned the return to Group 1 company, winning at Group 2 and Group 3 level this season, while I don't think the drop back in trip would inconvenience him on a track like this. He is training nicely and he would have a very live chance on form, but I wouldn't want to compromise his season by running him on an unsuitable surface and a final decision over his participation will be made at the last minute.”
Even if Defoe lines up, all points to 'TDN Rising Star' Cliffs of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) over this trip and ground. Getting back to his prior slick best when beating Success Days (Ire) (Jeremy) by 1 3/4 lengths in the G2 Mooresbridge S. at Naas May 7, last year's G1 Epsom Derby runner-up will be aided by Ballydoyle's consistent pace benchmark Lancaster Bomber (War Front), who is up in trip after a latest third in last Saturday's G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury. This could be the Group 1 opportunity that has eluded Success Days throughout his high-achieving career. Third and fourth in the last two renewals, Robert Ng's veteran retained enough class to beat Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 York S. in July and would be begrudged a belated top-level success by no one.
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