2025 Gold Cup hero Trawlerman may miss the defence of his title at Ascot. The eight-year-old, trained by John & Thady Gosden, was set to return next Thursday at Sandown in the Group 2 King Henry II Stakes.
However, Trawlerman will miss out on that contest, meaning the Gold Cup would be his first run of 2026. Given his advancing years, the Group 1 prize would be quite a high level comeback for the son of Golden Horn. Unusually, he also skipped a pre-season visit to Meydan where he traditionally contested the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.
Trawlerman’s ante-post odds have drifted significantly since the announcement. previously second favourite behind 2025 St Leger hero Scandinavia, his best odds have gone from 3/1 to 12/1. He is now only the joint third favourite for the race.
Speaking to the Racing Post, John Gosden outlined the reasoning behind his potential absence from the royal meeting. Gosden said: “We had planned to run Trawlerman at Sandown, but we’re feeling our way back with him at present and he’s not a definite runner in the Gold Cup at this stage.
“He’s an eight-year-old now and has other options later in the year, such as the Long Distance Cup at Ascot [on Champions Day], which he has won twice before.”
Trawlerman update leaves St Leger principles as Gold Cup favourites
With the defending champion’s presence now up in the air, a younger brigade of stayers look set to dominate. They include the first two home in a highly competitive 2025 St Leger.
Scandinavia justified favouritism at Doncaster that day. Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old has proven progeny of Justify have abundant stamina. He has taken the Kyprios route to the Gold Cup this season, taking in the Listed Vintage Crop and Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes on home shores. His margins of victory have not been stellar, but O’Brien is well-versed in getting his stayers to peak at Ascot.
Up against him could be Rahiebb. Roger Varian talked up his colt as a potential cup horse for 2026 even before he made his reappearance. That return was won in fine style though, as he powered away to win the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup. That was only a second career success for Rahiebb, but he had been immensely consistent in 2025, including when a neck second to Scandinavia in the St Leger. He is also a clear second favourite behind that old rival for the Gold Cup.