16:20 Royal Ascot

Thursday 16 June 2022

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 4m 26.52s

(1)

Alignak⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 109

100/1

Some creditable efforts in defeat in Dubai at the start of the year but got to go back to autumn 2020 for the last time he tasted success and major surprise were he to snap that losing sequence here.

Form: 3-52264

(10)

Earlofthecotswolds⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: L P Keniry| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 102| D

40/1

Useful hurdler who has translated all that ability to the Flat, completing an AW hat-trick when landing a valuable 2m conditions event at Newcastle on Good Friday. Longer trip will suit now switching to the turf but he'll need a good bit more to come out on top.

Form: 23111

(2)

Stradivarius³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| CD

2/1

Defeat when bidding for a fourth win in this race 12 months ago signalled the end of his domination of this division (also behind Trueshan final 2 starts) but a third win in the Yorkshire Cup on his reappearance last month shows this 8-y-o is still one of the very best stayers around.

Form: 41123-1

(5)

Kyprios³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

13/8

His rout in the Group 3 Levmoss at Leopardstown (1¾m) last month marks him down as the emerging force in the staying ranks. His pedigree strongly suggests this marathon trip will be within range and he should make a bold bid to provide his trainer with a record-extending eighth win in this.

Form: 16/14-11

(7)

Mojo Star²⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 116

15/2

Very smart colt who was runner-up in the Derby and St Leger last year. Wasn't at his best in the Arc on final start but he remains a top staying prospect. Comes here without a prep run, though.

Form: 225120-

(6)

Tashkhan³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 115

25/1

Big improver for this yard last year, culminating with excellent 1½ lengths second (Stradivarius third) to Trueshan in Long Distance Cup here in November. Stradivarius took his revenge in the Yorkshire Cup but he performed with credit in third and this step up to 2½m should be right up his street.

Form: 2552-53

(3)

Bubble Smart^p1,t1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: G Mosse| T: M Delzangles| OR: 108

33/1

Smart stayer but behind Trueshan and Stradivarius in Cadran at Longchamp last autumn. Her 2 efforts this year have been no more than respectable and it's hard to believe she won't find a few too strong.

Form: 1113-26

(8)

Burning Victory^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 106| D

18/1

Produced a very smart handicap performance when second to Buzz (pair long way clear) in last year's Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2¼m). Also won a Grade 3 hurdle in February but latest Punchestown fourth in that sphere only respectable. Others preferred.

Form: 216/112-

(4)

Princess Zoe⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: J M Sheridan| T: A Mullins| OR: 113| C| D

13/2

2020 Cadran winner who was an excellent second to Subjectivist in this 12 months ago. Warmed up for this year's renewal by taking the Sagaro here (2m) in April. Likely to give another good account of herself.

Form: 4225-01

Non-Runners

(9)

Trueshan⁷¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: A King J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Kyprios (13/8), Stradivarius (2/1), Trueshan (5/1), Princess Zoe (13/2), Mojo Star (15/2), Burning Victory (18/1), Tashkhan (25/1), Bubble Smart (33/1), Earlofthecotswolds (40/1), Alignak (100/1)

KYPRIOS has looked a stayer of serious potential in Ireland this spring and is taken to improve past more-established pair Stradivarius and Princess Zoe and provide his trainer with an eighth success in the meeting showpiece. Tashkhan will relish this return to 2½m and is one who could go well at likely bigger odds, while Trueshan will be major player if turning out (reportedly unlikely to run if the ground stays good to firm).