16:15 Royal Ascot

Thursday 17 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:1517:0017:3518:10

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 4m 20.28s

(9)

Nayef Road²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111

50/1

Chased home Stradivarius in this last year but has a couple of heavy defeats to put behind him this time around. Hard to fancy.

Form: 223-355

(1)

Rip Van Lips^b1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: A Suborics| OR: 107

66/1

Back to winning ways in 2m Group 2 in Germany 6 weeks ago. Suspect he'll stay this longer trip but he looks out of his depth in this company.

Form: 0382-41

(6)

Spanish Mission³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 117

7/1

Back to winning ways in the Yorkshire Cup last month from Santiago, gradually drawing clear. Consistent and looked all stamina when landing the Doncaster Cup in September, so place claims.

Form: 117-251

(8)

Stradivarius⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 125| CD

5/6

Has led all before him in the British staying division since 2018 and bounced back to winning ways with an impressive victory in the Sagaro here 7 weeks ago. Can land this for the fourth year running.

Form: 11270-1

(7)

Twilight Payment^p,t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 116

16/1

Melbourne Cup hero who has been a bit below that form in 2 runs in Ireland this year, no match for Emperor of The Sun at Leopardstown latest. First go over this trip and wouldn't be sure to stay.

Form: 1131-33

(2)

Amhran Na Bhfiann^b1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| BF

40/1

Lightly-raced Derby third who opened his account easily in Dundalk maiden in April. Possibly amiss behind Emperor of The Sun at Leopardstown since and the blinkers go on now. Remains unexposed.

Form: 0/432-14

(12)

Ben Lilly³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: D H Brown| OR: 92| BF

150/1

Useful handicapper who has been a credit to his trainer but surely biting off more than he can chew in this stepped up in trip.

Form: 8-41139

(13)

Emperor Of The Sun³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 113

16/1

Gained a deserved second success, and a first at listed level, at Leopardstown last month. This sort of test could bring out more from him and it's not hard to see him running into the frame.

Form: 2420-31

(11)

Santiago³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| BF| C

11/1

Irish Derby winner who was also fourth in the St Leger last season. Better run second time back this year when behind Spanish Mission in the Yorkshire Cup but needs to improve for this longer trip.

Form: 1134-42

(3)

Serpentine^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 119

11/1

Not really seen to advantage since his stunning Derby success last year, possibly needing the run at the Curragh last month. Interesting he's been supplemented for this as he goes up markedly in trip.

Form: 51144-7

(4)

Subjectivist⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 117

13/2

Relished the test of stamina when winning heavy-ground Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp last season and was electric when bolting up in the Dubai Gold Cup in March. Longer trip will suit. Dangerous.

Form: 37171-1

(5)

Princess Zoe⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: J M Sheridan| T: A Mullins| OR: 108| D

28/1

Completed a stunning 5-timer in the Prix du Cadran in 2020, so she won't want for stamina, and she caught the eye on her latest start. Could ruffle a few feathers if back on song back up in distance.

Form: 1114-94

Non-Runners

(10)

Trueshan⁴²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: A King J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Stradivarius (5/6), Subjectivist (13/2), Spanish Mission (7/1), Trueshan (8/1), Santiago (11/1), Serpentine (11/1), Emperor Of The Sun (16/1), Twilight Payment (16/1), Princess Zoe (28/1), Amhran Na Bhfiann (40/1), Nayef Road (50/1), Rip Van Lips (66/1), Ben Lilly (150/1)

STRADIVARIUS has dominated this division since 2018 and went with all his usual zest when winning the Sagaro here on his return. He can emulate the mighty Yeats and land a fourth Gold Cup. Subjectivist and Trueshan look the chief dangers.