Big Gold Cup contenders stand ground There were few shocks as the final declarations for Thursday's Royal Ascot Gold Cup were made. A total of 18 runners are set to head to post for the Group 1 contest with there likely to be strong interest in Estimate, who is owned by Her Majesty, The Queen. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly booked her place in this two-and-a-half-mile Group One by making a winning return in Ascot's Sagaro Stakes early last month. Last year's winner, Colour Vision, is in the line-up and Silvestre De Sousa, who rode him twice to victory when he was trained by Mark Johnston, has the mount. The grey will be tried in a visor for the first time. Saddler's Rock, Simenon and Rite of Passage head a strong raiding party from Ireland although Aidan O'Brien will rely on just one runner in El Salvador. France is represented by Last Train, Vadamar and Top Trip. Germany having two runners in Earl of Tinsdal and Altano.
