Bear misses Victoria Cup cut

Ante-post favourite Polar Bear has missed the cut for the totesport Victoria Cup by just one at today’s final declaration stage for the big Ascot handicap on Saturday.

The safety limit for the seven-furlong contest has been cut to 20 from 30 last year and Polar Bear appeared as number 21 on the list.

Polar Bear and the horse immediately below him in the handicap, Dame de Noche, are first and second reserves respectively for the £60,000 (€89,200) contest.

Haggas has already expressed his annoyance at Ascot’s decision to reduce the safety limit to “save the ground for the Royal Meeting”.

He said: “I’m disappointed that the safety limit has been reduced in the interests of saving the ground when it’s going to be like a road anyway.

“I don’t know which part of the track they are trying to save.”

Haggas will find out tomorrow morning if he has the chance to run Polar Bear in the Victoria Cup.

“If one doesn’t come out by 9.30am tomorrow I can’t get in anyway and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he added.

Mine is the new favourite with the sponsors at 5-1.

Totesport Victoria Cup betting:

Totesport: 5-1 Mine, 9-1 El Coto, Maksad, Selective, 10-1 Golden Chalice, 11-1 Greenslades, 12-1 Camp Commander, Vindication, 14-1 Master Robbie, 16-1 Into the Breeze, Vortex, 20-1 Atavus, Calcutta, Crafty Calling, Kool, 25-1 Audience, Hidden Dragon, 28-1 Captain Saif, Will He Finish, 33-1 Fantasy Believer. Reserves 7-2 Polar Bear, 33-1 Dame De Noche.