Cumani set for Bank raid

LUCA Cumani admits it is hard to see how red-hot Royal Hunt Cup favourite Bankable can be beaten if the formbook proves to be a reliable guide at Royal Ascot today.

Cumani’s rapidly progressive four-year-old has been a short-priced fancy for the one-mile handicap since he despatched subsequent Group Three winner Lady Gloria in Listed company last month.

Bankable is a stone better off at the weights than his official mark suggests he should be after reassessment, which has understandably led to the bookmakers running scared.

“On paper it looks like there is no way he can be beaten but in a large-field handicap of its nature we all know that anything can happen,” said Cumani.

“He may be a stone well in at the weights but a lot depends on the draw. There could be a ground bias on the day or he could end up drawn badly away from the pace and other fancied runners.

“He is in good form nevertheless, he loves Ascot and we go there hopeful,” he said.

Along with Lang Shining, the Michael Jarvis-trained We’ll Come is the only other horse in the 30-runner field trading in single figures. He reappeared with a promising effort when fourth behind Zaahid in the Victoria Cup and connections plan to keep close tabs on Bankable as they hope to upset the odds.

Jarvis said: “I was pleased with him last time but he’s a bit of a bridesmaid - he seldom runs a bad race but he seldom wins either.

“He’s a hard horse to get it right on as he doesn’t want to be in front too long and it’s difficult to do that on him in these big handicaps. I’m hoping, as he’s drawn close to the favourite, that he’ll be able to go with him late.”