Giganticus Bids For Challenge Glory

Giganticus will face 28 rivals when he bids for further big-race glory in the £150,000 totesport.com Challenge Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

The son of Giant's Causeway has already enjoyed a profitable campaign with three victories to his name, enjoying his finest hour in the Bunbury Cup back in July.

After a disappointing show on unsuitable ground last time, Charlie Hills, son and assistant to trainer Barry, is expecting Giganticus to put up another good performance.

'Giganticus has had a good season and should like the ground tomorrow,' he said.

'The draw (25) looks OK too. He's improving and should have a chance again.

'He didn't have the clearest of runs last time and the ground was a bit loose for him.'

The valuable seven-furlong cavalry charge has attracted a very competitive field, including Ayr Silver Cup winner Utmost Respect, Jeremy Noseda's Shevchenko and the progressive Lovelace.

The latter, who is owned by Hamad Suhail and trained by Mark Johnston, will be bidding for a fifth straight win at the weekend.

Bruce Raymond, racing director for Rabbah Bloodstock, said: 'Lovelace has had a terrific season, improving significantly.

'He appears to be in good form and I can't imagine he'll run in handicap company again after this.'

Mohammed Obaida's Racer Forever and Jaber Abdullah's Royal Power also fall under the Rabbah banner, and Raymond feels the first-named, who carries top weight, also merits plenty of respect.

'Racer Forever ran very well in a similar race ? the totesport International ? on King George day when he was second,' he told www.rabbah.co.uk.

'He possesses plenty of ability and you feel that one day a race such as this will fall his way.

'Royal Power hasn't recaptured the form he showed at the start of his three-year-old campaign and this looks a tough assignment for him.'

Danehillsundance has crept in near the foot of the weights after landing his third success of the year at Doncaster earlier in the month.

Trainer Richard Hannon told At The Races: 'It's a bit of a lottery and it's a tough race but he won very well last time in a good time.

'He's only a three-year-old and he's a horse that I think is improving.'

(C) PA Sport