TWO and a half miles on a galloping track is a true test of stamina so before investing any cash on today's £160,000-added Gold Cup you should be sure the petrol tank will not run dry inside the final furlong.

Last year's winner Classic Cliche and second Double Trigger are both proven stayers but there are question marks hanging over them both as they ran abysmal races last time out. Respective trainers Mark Johnston and Saeed bin Suroor are both confident that their charges are back to their best but Celeric gets the nod.

Although his stamina must be taken on trust, he is a horse who needs to be switched off and produced to lead on the line and David Morley's five-year old has always looked as if he will get this trip.

This season Celeric has looked better than ever, winning the Yorkshire Cup in May before a narrow defeat by Persian Punch in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. The slow early pace was against him there and he meets his conqueror on 7lb better terms which should allow him to turn the tables.

He meets some smart rivals here, including French and German challengers, but with Pat Eddery on board the gelding can pounce late to steal the prize.

The card opens with some decent fillies contesting the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes. Crown Of Light ran a great race in the Vodafone Oaks on a track that seemed not to suit her. She took third place close home after being the first off the bridle around Tattenham Corner.

On this more galloping track she should be less easily outpaced. However, the Mtoto filly may need further in time, so she will need a strong early pace if she is to confirm Epsom form with those that finished behind her that day.

The Cork and Orrery Stakes is a wide-open affair as usual. Some ante-post punters were not all that pleased with Sheikh Mohammed when he pulled Blue Goblin out of last week's William Hill Trophy. But he would not be running him here if the Luca Cumani-trained grey did not have a serious chance.

Leading American rider Gary Stevens has been booked and he should be able to keep his mount covered up early on in this big field. Expect to see Blue Goblin thereabouts at the business end of the race.

Cape Verdi will be many people's idea of the day's banker bet after her debut performance at Newmarket at the end of last month. Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is confident of a big run from his filly and it will take something very decent to turn her over in the Chesham Stakes.