Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio
Simon is a well respected full-time thoroughbred racing commentator specializing in pedigree and overseas international racing. He is currently the presenter on several racing television programmes including, ‘Horse Racing – Results’, ‘Simulcast Preview'’ and Simulcast oversea races.

Ascot Racecourse – Track Analysis (Gold Cup Day):

Racing in a clockwise direction, the world-renowned Ascot Racecourse at south-west of London, is a triangular venue so distinguished of its enormous track width, featuring on top of which a 1600m home chute to accommodate straight contests at up to a mile.

For the day’s centerpiece event – the 3991m Gold Cup will break from the 1200m start on the straight course, file by the grandstand for the first time, then navigate a full lap of the round course to complete this race. When a soft strip was on deck for the last year’s running of this marquee race, two-time champion STRADIVARIUS, held in midfield early, found smooth headway before entering the homestretch, then cruised his way up in a flash to take the lead and went well clear inside final 200m to notch his third successive Gold Cup score impressively, whereas NAYEF ROAD, winging it up front most of the way, was certainly no match for the winner while headed out, but could still hold on for second, and 2018 Melbourne Cup winner CROSS COUNTER, initially tugged towards the back of the pack, picked up his opposition one by one down the stretch, but was much too late, and could only settle for third.

To the rest of the day’s contests, where the 1000m Norfolk Stakes, the 1400m Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) and the 1600m Britannia Stakes (Handicap) will all be staged, starting positions are numbered reversely back in, where high post numbers will break from the stands side. When it comes to over-subscribed fields disputing the early lead on a firm track, this particular stands side, so customary for one contest too many in this Royal meeting, is the better place to be; that said, a rainy day would easily see this strip play in reverse. For the 1993m Hampton Court Stakes, the 2392m Ribblesdale Stakes and the King George V Stakes (Handicap), runners will dip right-handed into the turn promptly after the break. Still, thanks to a more sedate pace as per customary in deep routes, horses breaking from out wide still have plenty of time to position properly.

In all, be it straight dashes, or cruising around the full circuit, fields will have to fight for Ascot glory through that gruelling 500m-plus homestretch, where another steep, sapping ascent suddenly looms in large right before the finish. On top of all the undulations throughout this course, front-runners do need more than a gargantuan effort to take the field all the way home.

Though London is basking in the sun as of late, rain is expected at Berkshire on Thursday, thus a slow track may be on deck; unless a wet day indeed materializes, otherwise front-runners may find it challenging to secure their lead from gate to finish.

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