Godolphin trio in Gold Cup

Marienbard heads Godolphin`s three confirmations for Thursday`s Gold Cup as Sheikh Mohammed`s operation bids to land the Royal Ascot centrepiece for the fourth time in six years.

Last year`s Tote Ebor winner Give The Slip (who is more likely to run in the Prince of Wales`s Stakes) and Hatha Anna are the other two Godolphin probables trained by Saeed bin Suroor among 16 horses left in the two-and-a-half-mile stamina test at today`s confirmation stage.

Classic Cliche (1996) and Kayf Tara (1998 & 2000) have lifted the prize for Godolphin and their main hope, Marienbard, goes for the Stg#210,000 Group One event on the back of victory in the Yorkshire Cup.

He is 4-1 joint-favourite with William Hill along with the John Dunlop-trained San Sebastian, who was an unlucky fourth 12 months ago.

Ameerat will bid to become the first 1000 Guineas winner to go on to win the Coronation Stakes since One In A Million 21 years ago when she lines up for the Group One contest.

The filly, who gave Michael Jarvis his first British Classic success in 33 years as a trainer when beating Godolphin`s Muwakleh in the Sagitta-sponsored event last month, is among 17 confirmations for Friday`s Stg#250,000 prize.

Aidan O`Brien has taken out his Entenmann`s Irish 1000 Guineas and Vodafone Oaks winner Imagine, but has accepted with four - Dream, Rose Gypsy, Sequoyah and Toroca.

The French, who last took this prestigious one-mile race with Shake The Yoke five years ago, could be triple-handed - Amonita and Banks Hill being joined by Lethals Lady, who was supplemented yesterday at a cost of Stg#20,000.

After heavy rain, the official going at Ascot for the four-day Festival that starts on Tuesday is now good.

Gold Cup confirmations: Hirapour, Persian Punch, Rainbow High, Royal Rebel, San Sebastian, Vicious Circle, Yavana`s Pace, Chimes At Midnight, Give The Slip, Hatha Anna, Jardines Lookout, Kuwait Trooper, Marienbard, Mbele, Romantic Affair, Miletrian (16).

Coronation Stakes confirmations: Ameerat, Amonita, Banks Hill, Coney Kitty, Crystal Music, Dream, Enthused, Heavenly Whisper, Lady Miletrian, Lethals Lady, Lil`s Jessy, Lurina, Monnavanna, Rose Gypsy, Sequoyah, Tempting Fate, Toroca (17).