Channon Wary Of Gold Challenge

Mick Channon believes the Ascot Gold Cup could turn into a two-horse race between last year´s winner Yeats and Rod Millman´s popular stayer Sergeant Cecil.

Channon is targeting Ascot specialist Baddam at the race after his double strike at the meeting last year but he is fully aware of the stiff task the five-year-old faces in the historic event.

Baddam won both the Ascot Stakes and the Queen Alexandra at the Royal meeting 12 months ago but Channon admits he faces a huge step up in class this year.

'Baddam goes for the Gold Cup and he is a grand old horse,' said Channon. 'It was unbelievable last year but we are in a different league now. But he has stepped up.

'I think the ground will be important, as long as it is not soft ground, he needs good racing ground.

'Can anyone beat Yeats or Rod Millman´s horse (Sergeant Cecil)? They´re the two we´ve all got to beat,' he told At The Races.

'We know he´ll stay, so we just need the ground for him now.'

(C) PA Sport