Spencer confident Cape Blanco can win Million

JAMIE SPENCER believes that Cape Blanco will again confirm superiority over Gio Ponti this Saturday in the Arlington Million, as the colt chases a second straight victory stateside.

After beating Gio Ponti by two and a quarter lengths last time in the Man o'War Stakes at Belmont Park, the Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old returns to the US as favourite with both British and local bookmakers, and Spencer is confident the pair can deliver again.

Speaking on At The Races on Wednesday morning, Spencer said: "I can't see any reason why he can't win. For me he would have to underperform not to win, if he can hold his Man o'War form, not even improve, he should win.

"He's met Gio Ponti twice and beaten him, and he was going away at the end the last time [in the Man o'War], and beat him comprehensively. I don't see any reason why he would turn the form around."

Other factors that Spencer feels will be in his favour is conditions and tactics, as he added: "They've had a bit of rain in Chicago and I think easier ground would be against Gio Ponti. Like all good horses my fellow goes on all ground and stays a mile and a half. He is a very simple ride. If there's pace you can sit in and if there's no pace you can go forward.

"Gio Ponti is one dimensional and has to beout the back to settle. You can ride to beat him."