Leading Light looks pure Gold

Leading Light boasts outstanding credentials of providing trainer Aidan O’Brien his sixth winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot today (4.25).

The colt has won six of his eight races, and showed progressive form throughout last season.

The son of Montjeu won the Queen’s Vase at this meeting in good style, before going on to land the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster by 1 1/4 lengths from Investec Oaks winner Talent.

The drop back to 1m 4f in the Arc then saw Leading Light beaten for the first time in 2013, but the four-year-old quickly got back to winning ways on seasonal reappearance when easily landing the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan by three lengths.

Leading Light travelled strongly throughout the contest, before being produced to challenge down the middle of the track at the two furlong marker and quickening up nicely when asked to surge clear inside the last 200 yards and win with tons in hand.

The performance oozed class, and with the step up to 2m 4f today looking sure to suit, Leading Light looks the one they all have to beat.

Estimate, owned by The Queen, proved a hugely popular winner of this race 12 months ago but looks to have it all to do in a stronger renewal on her first outing for 243 days.

Tac De Boistron romped to a five length success in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes over 2m at this track on his seasonal reappearance, and lost little in defeat when going down by just 1/2 a length to Gospel Choir in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup when last seen in action.

The Marco Botti seven-year-old is a proven stayer who looks a big danger to Leading Light on the pick of his form, but the gelding would prefer much softer ground.

Brown Panther, who is owned ex footballer Michael Owen, comes into the race in the form os his life after back-to-back successes in Group 3 contests at Chester and Sandown.

The six-year-old handles all types of going and could well be the one to give Leading Light the most to think about.