'This will play to his strengths' - top trainers assess the Victoria Cup at Ascot

Roi De France failed to fire on his last start on turf when he was drawn badly in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, but he's well fancied to put that behind him in a lively Victoria Cup market.

The four-year-old is a rare runner in the Ascot feature for John and Thady Gosden, but he's had a productive winter on the all-weather for the stable and has a stands’ side berth this time around [stall 18], which is usually an advantage when the ground is riding fast.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer, said: “Roi De France is a very consistent horse and ran another good race to be second at Newcastle on Good Friday. 

"He's coming back in trip as that was over a mile but we think this stiff seven furlongs will play to his strengths. He’s drawn close to the stands' rail, which can often be the place to be, but we’ll have to see how it pans out."

Oisin Murphy has partnered Roi De France on his past five starts and retains the ride.

Hickory 'fit enough to run well'

Hickory finished fourth to The Wizard Of Eye 12 months ago when not getting the smoothest passage and he returns off a 4lb lower mark with the same rider aboard, but for a different yard. 

Saffie Osborne finished fourth, third and second in course-and-distance handicaps when Hickory was trained by James Fanshawe, but the seven-year-old has now joined the stable of the jockey's father, Jamie Osborne.

He said: "He's got some good form over this course and distance. It's his first run for us but I think he's done enough work. 

"I've left the headgear off as his work has looked quite generous, but we'll see whether that was a mistake or not. 

"He's fit enough to run well. He's interesting. Whether he'll be winning this I don't know, but I think we can do okay with him through the summer."

What they say

Ed Walker, trainer of English Oak and Popmaster
Popmaster has run numerous good races there and is better than the bare form of last month's fifth in the all-weather mile final at Newcastle. There was no pace on and he did well to get so close, faring best of those who came from behind. He's come down 1lb for that and English Oak runs off a mark 2lb lower than when never able to get into things from off the pace after a slow start at Haydock last month. I hope we can put a line through that run and I expect this race to set up much better for a horse who looked so good in winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Mohammed Jaber, owner of Ten Pounds
This looks a good spot for him after his win at the Craven meeting and I hear he has done well since then. It’s a competitive race but hopefully he can put up another good show.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Qirat
Everything has gone well this spring and seven furlongs at Ascot suits him well, so I'm looking forward to it. It's a good place to start him.

Callum Shepherd, rider of No Retreat
I rode him work the other day and he seems in good shape after spending the winter in Dubai, and the race should suit him if they go a good pace as he likes to be produced late.

William Muir, joint-trainer of Ebt’s Guard
He’s match fit after his comeback win at Newbury where we thought he would come on for the run. He’s come in his coat now and we’re hopeful, and with the draw [eight] he can go either side.

Hollie Doyle, rider of Gleneagle Bay
It’s a nice ride to pick up and they wouldn’t be coming over here for nothing. He ran a solid race in the Irish Lincoln and has a middle draw [12].

Joanna Mason, rider of Diligent Resdev
He ran well to be third on his comeback at Musselburgh when he needed the run. He’s come out of that in good order and should be suited by a stiff seven furlongs.

Saturday's big-race insight:

High-drawn runners may have the edge in Victoria Cup - and this course specialist stands out at double-figure odds 

1.15 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien has word of warning for favourite backers as Giselle begins her potential route to the Oaks 

1.35 Haydock: Superb Swinton shows the jumps is back - and there's no Willie Mullins to beat this time on a marvellous mixed Merseyside card 

3.00 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien poised to sweep another Derby trial - but British trainer says there is 'plenty to like' about his contender 

3.15 Ascot: An above-average running of a competitive handicap - so can the unbeaten favourite be taken on? 

3.35 Lingfield: Can Great Generation give weight all round to repeat last year's Group 3 success? 

4.20 Naas: Has Wayne Lordan made the right decision on the Ballydoyle trio in the Oaks Trial? 

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