Roe set for Gold Cup test

Top Irish stayer Vinnie Roe heads a total of 19 horses who have been left in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday following the confirmation stage today.

The Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old looks sure to go off favourite for the two and a half mile marathon as he heads for the #220,000 showpiece on the back of five successive victories, including Group One wins in the Irish St Leger and Prix Royal-Oak in 2001.

He recently showed his well-being when landing a Listed event under top-weight at Leopardstown on his reappearance last month.

The trip on Thursday is an unknown but he is the class horse of the race and has been trained with the Gold Cup in mind.

The Irish took the race two years ago with the John Oxx-trained Enzeli.

Godolphin have won this coveted prize three times in the past with Classic Cliche (1996) and with Kayf Tara (1998 and 2000) have a strong hand once again.

The Dubai operation has three entries, Hatha Anna, Alunissage and Wareed.

The latter is a dour stayer and won very well on desperate ground on Arc day at Longchamp.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston is another with a good record in the race having scored with Double Trigger back in 1995 and again last year with British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill`s Royal Rebel.

Gold Cup regular Persian Punch will bid to win the