PAPINEAU maintained his unbeaten record since joining the royal blue ranks of Godolphin as he gave his owners a fourth success in the last nine years in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot yesterday.

Papineau landed a fourth Gold Cup victory for the Godolphin team at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

Mr Dinos has been installed as 2-1 favourite to repeat last year’s victory in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

Vinnie Roe’s participation in Thursday’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot is in slight doubt due to a muscle problem and the quick ground at the track.

Last year’s winner Mr Dinos heads 17 horses in the Ascot Gold Cup after today’s confirmation stage.

Last year’s winner Mr Dinos heads a field of 10 declared at today’s 48-hour final stage for the £100,000 (€149,820) bonusprint.com Henry II Stakes at Sandown on Monday.

Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has declared Black Sam Bellamy for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

CHAMPION trainer Aidan O’Brien has declared Black Sam Bellamy for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot tomorrow.

DERMOT WELD yesterday expressed surprise his Refuse To Bend figures so prominently in the market for the English 2,000 Guineas.

MUCH interest this weekend will centre on the performance of brilliant stayer Vinnie Roe, who returns from a short break in the listed Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Johnny Murtagh is unlikely to forget Royal Ascot 2002 in a hurry.

Royal Rebel, a 16-1 chance, won the £220,000 (€342,000) Gold Cup for the second successive year at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

Traffic problems stopped Pat Eddery getting to the course in time for the first race but the veteran jockey had no trouble getting a clear passage on rejuvenated Fantasy Hill who cruised home in the Tote Chester Cup today.