Friday, 22 June 2012: A thrilling finish to the Ascot Gold Cup when Colour Vision and Opinion Poll fought out the finish.
Despite a stewards' enquiry after the race the result stood and Frankie Dettori proved he had made the right choice. Both horses were gallant and there is always a possibility that they will both line up in Melbourne in December, although they will have to get through the rest of the European summer before that decision is made. Third home Saddler's Rock was also an admirable run, and Gulf of Naples who had taken over the lead when there was not much pace in the race, held on for a noble fourth. Favourite Fame and Glory did not fire - possibly because of the going.
Not surprising that there were upsets in many of the other races as the rain had made some difference to the going and some runners obviously were not happy. The Norfolk for the inexperienced 2yos was a case in point as the more fancied runners did not run accordingly - the winner was Reckless Aandon from Gale Force Ten and Ian's Dream.
The Ribblesdale had more experienced runners and it was Dermot Weld's Princess HIghway who ran away with the race to win by 6 lengths from The Fugue, with Shirocco Star a short head away in third.
The Tercentenary was a first German trained Royal Ascot winner when Jens HIrschenberger's Energiser won by 2 1/2 lengths from Stipulate with Rewarded the same distance away in third.
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