Thursday’s feature contest is the Gold Cup, with ten runners looking to take home the prestigious Group 1 prize. With plenty of runners to consider in a wide-open renewal, our expert editor has provided a runner-by-runner guide and gives their verdict on who will come out on top, alongside BetUK‘s exclusive Royal Ascot offer, where new customers can claim £50 In Free Bets when placing a £10 bet.
Alignak (Jamie Osborne, Saffie Osborne) 80/1
Yet to get off the mark in seven starts for this yard and last tasted success way back in 2020 when housed with Sir Michael Stoute. Creditable runner-up efforts in Meydan earlier this season but tackles Group 1 company for the first time on Thursday and is impossible to recommend in this field.
Earlofthecotswolds (Liam Keniry, Nigel Twiston-Davies) 40/1
Has made up into a fairly useful hurdler for connections, winning two of his last three starts in that sphere. Confirmed he was also a capable performer on the level when readily winning his maiden at Kempton in February before going on to complete his hat-trick over two miles in a valuable conditions event at Newcastle. Longer trip will suit now back on turf but faces an enormous task now pitched into Group 1 company against some established stayers.
Stradivarius (John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori) 5/2
A sensational stayer over the years for connections and is bidding to equal Yeats’ record and win the Gold Cup for an impressive fourth time. Disappointing fourth in last season’s renewal before finding Alan King’s Trueshan too strong in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp and Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot in October. However, confirmed he was still a force in the staying division when landing his third Yorkshire Cup at York at the age of eight at last month’s Dante meeting, showing his usual smart turn of foot to defeat Thunderous. Folly to dismiss him here after that comeback victory and would be a historic winner.
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Trueshan (Alan King, Hollie Doyle) 11/2
Quickly established himself as the best stayer around last season, landing the Goodwood Cup, Prix du Cadran and Long Distance Cup all within the space of three months. Recorded his fourth straight win with a comfortable victory at Nottingham back in April, however, the trainer has expressed his obvious concern given the forecasted quick ground and the six-year-old is unlikely to take his chance if the going remains good to firm.
Kyprios (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 7/4
Still lightly-raced after just six career starts, but four of those outings have produced impressive victories. Defeated his much higher-rated sibling Search For A Song on his first start over 1m6f on his seasonal return, before producing a staggering performance in the Group 3 Levmoss Stakes last month, thumping his three rivals to win by fourteen lengths. Trainer has won this contest seven times in the past and this Galileo Colt could well be the next emerging force in the staying division.
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Mojo Star (Richard Hannon, Rossa Ryan) 16/1
Very smart performer at his best and enjoyed a productive season last year for connections despite only winning once. Runner-up in last year’s Derby behind Adayar before filling the same position towards the end of his 3yo campaign with a useful effort behind impressive St Leger winner Hurricane Lane. Below his best when last seen in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last October but still has the potential to make up into a useful stayer. Does lack a recent prep run and this is a big ask for him following 256 days away from the track.
Tashkhan (Brian Ellison, Ben Robinson) 40/1
Has progressed rapidly since joining Brian Ellison from Emmet Mullins and produced some notable efforts last season as a three-year-old. Landed two handicap contests at Haydock over ten and fourteen furlongs before stepping up markedly in grade towards the end of the year. Fifth behind Manobo in Group 2 company at Longchamp in October before going on to run a screamer behind Trueshan in the Long Distance Cup that same month at 50/1, beaten just under two lengths at the line. Perhaps not been in the same form in either of his two starts this season (beaten behind both Princess Zoe and Stradivarius), but gives the impression he will relish the step up in trip on Thursday, although he may have ideally preferred some rain (all wins have come with soft or heavy in the description).
Bubble Smart (M Delzangles, G Mosse) 50/1
French raider who won three times last season including in Group 3 company at Longchamp back in September. Ran an encouraging race in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran the following month to finish third, but was ultimately no match for both Stradivarius and Trueshan. Narrowly beaten on her seasonal comeback last month, however, was disappointing when sent off market leader on her latest start in Group 2 company at Longchamp and ultimately finished well beaten in sixth. Difficult to see her playing a key role in the finish on that evidence.
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Burning Victory (Willie Mullins, William Buick) 20/1
Grade 1 winning hurdler who has only been seen on the level three times since joining Willie Mullins. However, those three runs have produced two comfortable handicap wins in France and a smart effort to finish runner-up behind Buzz in Newmarket’s Cesarewitch. Returned to winning ways back over hurdles in February when claiming Grade 3 honours but has disappointed in her latest starts in that sphere and is unlikely to make much of an impact now lining up in Group 1 company against superior rivals back on the flat.
Princess Zoe (A Mullins, J M Sheridan) 8/1
Enjoyed a tremendous start to life with Anthony Mullins a couple of seasons ago, winning five of her opening six starts as a five-year-old including the 2020 Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp. Showed that she still retained plenty of ability when running a mighty race to finish second behind Subjectivist in this very race twelve months ago but was unable to defend her crown in last year’s Prix Du Cadran, finishing fifth behind Bubble Smart, Stradivarius and Trueshan. Resumed winning ways earlier this season with a game performance in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot and is very much at home on the faster ground (form figures of 1-2 on good to firm going).
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Gold Cup Verdict
Stradivarius will be bidding for a fourth success in the Gold Cup and whilst the eight-year-old is likely to make his experience count once again after returning to winning ways in last month’s Yorkshire Cup at York’s Dante meeting, he may just come up short in this year’s renewal. Mojo Star still has untapped potential over staying trips but a lack of a recent run is an obvious concern for him. Aidan O’Brien is the leading trainer in this Group 1 contest, and whilst his last victory came back in 2016 with Order Of St George, the Irish handler appears to have a serious contender in this year’s event in the shape of KYPRIOS. The Galileo colt is bred to excel over this sort of trip being closely related to Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight, and although this will be his biggest test to date, the four-year-old has looked like a colt of immense potential this season and could very well develop into an outstanding stayer for top connections.
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