THE GOLD CUP
Thursday 20th June, 4:25pm
Kyprios @ Evs
Gregory @ 11/2
Vauban @ 7/1
Trawlerman @ 15/2
Coltrane @ 12/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
RACE
The Gold Cup, inaugurated in 1807, is the historic centrepiece of Royal Ascot, staged on the middle day over an examining two-and-a-half miles (4-25). Some of the really outstanding Ascot memories have been created in the Gold Cup, in recent years by horses like Royal Rebel, Persian Punch, multiple winners Yeats and Stradivarius and by the mare Estimate, successful for the late Queen in 2013.
THE MARKET
Kyprios won the Gold Cup during a golden run as a four-year-old in 2022; since then his career has been somewhat truncated because of a serious infection, and although successful in both starts this year, it’s fair to say that the style has been solid rather than spectacular.
Vauban and Gregory were split by less than a length when second and third in the Yorkshire Cup. Willie Mullins’ dual purpose Vauban still has to prove himself at this distance on the flat, while Gregory, now sole representative of Wathnan Racing in the absence last year’s winner Courage Mon Ami, looks likely to relish it. Trawlerman, the second of three Gosden runners, improved last year, narrowly accounting for Kyprios on Champions Day, with Sweet William, folk-hero Trueshan and Coltrane well-held in the next three places.
There wasn’t a lot wrong with Trawlerman’s return in Dubai. Coltrane knows how to mix it with the best, especially at Ascot (three wins and two seconds from six starts) where he was Gold Cup runner-up in 2023 – the ground is in his favour. Those closest to Caius Chorister, a mare only beaten in photos over two-miles this year, believe she will flourish at the extra distance.
THE WINNER
Kyprios has made a slightly underwhelming start to the season, so, with his favoured conditions, for me Coltrane provides the each-way value, but what do you think?
CORN’S QUARTET
There’s a quick turnaround for Shareholder in the Norfolk (2-30) less than a fortnight after his highly promising racecourse debut at Beverley when overcoming signs of inexperience.
The Richard Hannon-trained Persica (3-05) has been hit by the handicapper for his success at Epsom – nine pounds – but that was an emphatic win, conceding weight to a nice sort, and this is a colt on the up, so it would be zero surprise to see him turn tables on Poniros and Chantilly compared to their encounter in the London Gold Cup at Newbury.
While Persica and the others immediately behind him at Newbury line-up, King’s Gambit, will be waiting for a Group Three appointment (5-40) for which he’s a popular choice; however, the stable is quieter than it was, so a bit of scouting around may be in order, and amongst the opposition is Taraj, a colt with progressive-looking form behind Los Angeles.
When confronted with a big-field Ascot handicap like the Buckingham Palace (6-15), it’s always good to see course standing-dish Fresh, especially when he looks so well handicapped and ripe for a big run, judged on the evidence of a recent close fifth at Haydock.
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