Bear misses Victoria Cup cut

Ante-post favourite Polar Bear has missed the cut for the totesport Victoria Cup by just one at the 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.”