Irish eyes were smiling at Royal Ascot yesterday when Aidan O'Brien completed an outstanding opening-day double with Rock Of Gibraltar and Statue Of Liberty, and tomorrow it could be more of the same.

This time, though, Dermot Weld is fancied to feature in the spotlight, courtesy of nap selection Vinnie Roe in the £220,000 Gold Cup.

A top-flight campaigner, and former winner of the Irish St Leger, Vinnie Roe progressed handsomely as he was moved up in trip last season.

His current well-being looks guaranteed, too, Vinnie Roe having given weight and a beating to some useful rivals in the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown last month, which he won by an easy four lengths.

Weld is a past master at producing classy performers and Vinnie Roe looks to possess all the credentials required to write his name into Gold Cup history.

Mark Johnston saddles The Bonus King in the Norfolk Stakes and this speedy colt is fancied to take plenty of catching.

A winner at Ripon last month, The Bonus King stepped up on that display when landing the Woodcote Stakes over six furlongs at Epsom on Derby Day.

Reverting to the minimum trip tomorrow should not come as an inconvenience for Kevin Darley's mount, who is expected to complete a hat-trick.

Gallant Hero, who has created a good impression in his two winning starts, should prove a formidable contender in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's three-year-old, winner of the Wood Ditton Stakes at Newmarket on his debut, followed-up in workmanlike fashion at Doncaster last month. He looks a useful colt in the making.

At Ripon, Latensaani looks the one to be on in the Beaumont Robinson Insurance Ladies' Derby Handicap.

The four-year-old, already a winner this season, is trained by William Haggas and is the mount of Carol Williams, the same combination which were successful with Three Days In May in a ladies' race at Thirsk yesterday.

Tommy Smith got off the mark for the season at Pontefract last week and John Wainwright's sprinter can oblige again in the Total Butler Castleford Handicap.

Smart apprentice Darren Williams again has the mount on the four-year-old, who has a 7lb penalty to overcome.

James Fanshawe can do little wrong at present and the Newmarket handler can complete a Ripon double with Invicta (2-10) and Prins Willem (5-05).

The latter underlined his wellbeing by scoring at Beverley last week.

Tomorrow's tips:

ROYAL ASCOT

2-30 Sunray Superstar, 3-05 The Bonus King, 3-45 Vinnie Roe (NAP), 4-20 Leadership, 4-55 Gallant Hero, 5-30 Mineshaft

RIPON

2-10 Invicta, 2-45 Rahaf, 3-20 Tommy Smith, 3-55 Sentimental Value, 4-30 Latensaani, 5-05 Prins Willem

Updated: 12:32 Wednesday, June 19, 2002