Betting tips / Paul Bugeja / 30 May 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Victorious in a Kempton handicap earlier this year, and despite being forced to miss Thursday's Betfair Henry II Stakes at Sandown, Thimaar remains on course for the Ascot Gold Cup (UK) next month.

Trainer John Gosden has reported that Thimaar was not 100% on Tuesday morning and has decided he doesn't want to risk the four-year-old in Thursday's Group 3 contest.

Gosden has stressed that he should recover fully for the Ascot Gold Cup and that he hopes the problem isn't anything serious.

The Timeform 114-rated performer has already demonstrated an improved level of form this season in two starts, winning a two mile handicap with ease on the all-weather at Kempton before finishing third behind Colour Vision in the Sagaro Stakes at the same venue.

He was well beaten by the Godolphin runner on that occasion, however, despite having seemed likely to make an impact at Group level this year. He remains relatively lightly-raced and he could develop into a very smart performer as the season progresses.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Thimaar, currently has three options for the Ascot Gold Cup, with Marcus Tregoning's Hawaafez and John Gosden's Nehaam also entered. The former was an impressive winner of the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury last time, whilst the latter finished third in the same contest, beaten four lengths by the Tregoning runner.

Fame and Glory is currently favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup, trading at no larger than 2.86. Saddler's Rock and Colour Vision are also prominent in the betting along with Opinion Poll.