MARK JOHNSTON can cap a memorable 48 hours by landing the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot today with Double Trigger. The trainer enjoyed his first Group One success of the season at Ascot on Tuesday when Bijou d'Inde battled back bravely to land the St James's Palace Stakes.

He is set to double the tally this afternoon when Double Trigger has an outstanding chance of becoming the sixth dual Gold Cup winner since the start of the 1980s.

The five year old has already achieved more than enough to allow him to rank alongside recent repeat winners Le Moss, Ardross, Gildoran, Sadeem and Drum Taps.

Not only did he land this event last year by a comfortable five lengths but he also went on to success in the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup lo become only the fourth this century to land the stayers' triple crown.

And he has shown no sign of waning powers. After a battling effort conceding weight all round in the Insulpak Sagaro Stakes at Ascot, he put up a top notch performance in the Bonusprint Henry II Stakes at Sandown, scoring by a very easy seven lengths.

Double Trigger's main rival looks to be Classic Cliche whose Yorkshire Cup triumph has been boosted by runner up Strategic Choice's subsequent Group One success.

But last year's St Leger winner is far from certain to stay this two and a half mile trip and may well not be good enough to unseat Double Trigger even if he is.

Rambling Bear can continue his rise to the top of the sprinting ranks by taking the Group Three Cork And Orrery Stakes. Rambling Bear appeared far from hard pressed in gaining a length verdict over Iktamal at Lingfield and has enough improvement in him to cope with this step up in class.