16:20 Royal Ascot

Thursday 22 June 2023

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

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 20.97s

(13)

Big Call²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: S Pasquier| T: C Ferland| OR: 110| BF

40/1

Dual Group 3 winner in France, making a winning return to European action in the Prix de Barbeville (15,4f) in April. Took strong hold when only third in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp (15.4f, good) 24 days ago and he'll likely need to improve for the longer trip to land a blow.

Form: 516-413

(14)

Broome³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF| C

12/1

Resumed winning ways in 15-runner Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m) in March and wasn't disgraced when 1½ lengths third of 6 in Yorkshire Cup at York (13.8f, good to firm, 9/4) 34 days ago. First try beyond 2m but he certainly has the ability to go close.

Form: 868-513

(12)

Coltrane⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 117| CD

11/4

Progressive last season, winning Ascot Stakes at this meeting before adding a Sandown listed event and the Group 2 Doncaster Cup to his tally. Even better form when readily winning Sagaro Stakes here (16f, good) 50 days ago by 4¾ lengths from Wise Eagle and he's a leading player.

Form: 14212-1

(2)

Lone Eagle^b⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109

22/1

Irish Derby runner-up in 2021 for Martyn Meade and shaped with some encouragement when second in the Ormonde Stakes (13.4f, heavy) last month. This rates as a difficult ask though for one untested over staying trips.

Form: 5/357-52

(4)

Nate The Great²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Davies| T: A M Balding| OR: 105

50/1

Newmarket listed winner on his final start last season and ran up to his best when a close second in Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown (16.2f, good) 28 days ago. Flying too high in this grade, however.

Form: 961-552

(11)

Subjectivist⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 117| CD

9/2

Top-class performer in 2021, successful in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan before following up with a decisive success in this race. Missed all of last season with injury but shaped as if retaining all ability in Dubai in March and he can't be ruled out.

Form: 7111/03

(5)

Wise Eagle⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: A Nicol| OR: 107

28/1

Most progressive sort, winning 5 times in 2021 before adding another 4 victories to his tally in 2022. Picked up where he left off at Musselburgh on return before chasing Coltrane home in the Sagaro here last time. Hard to see him turning the tables.

Form: 1141-12

(6)

Yibir^h³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| BF

8/1

High-class performer who signed off for 2022 with victory in the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket. Looked rusty when only fourth of 7 to Haskoy in Aston Park Stakes (9/4) at Newbury (12f, good to firm) 33 days ago. Has stamina to prove but few in this possess his class.

Form: 1/2231-4

(9)

Courage Mon Ami²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106

15/2

Highly promising son of Frankel who is 3-3, looking a smart prospect when easily landing 12f minor events at Kempton and Newcastle in the autumn. Maintained unbeaten record in 8-runner handicap (6/4) at Goodwood (14f, good to firm) 26 days ago, Fascinating contender up in grade.

Form: 11-1

(10)

Eldar Eldarov³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 118| C

6/1

Queen's Vase winner at this meeting last year before landing the St Leger at Doncaster. Ran well when a close second in the Yorkshire Cup on his return, not the first time looking as if he'd appreciate a marathon trip, and this classy stayer ranks high on the shortlist.

Form: 11417-2

(7)

Echoes In Rain^h⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: W P Mullins| OR: 102

10/1

Talented performer on the Flat and over hurdles, winning a Galway handicap last summer before a fine second in the Irish Cesarewitch. Won Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on most recent outing but this is by far the toughest task she's faced on the level.

Form: 831/212-

(3)

Emily Dickinson³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF

11/1

Looked a stayer going places when winning Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh late last season and resumed progress when winning the listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on return. Disappointing on quicker ground last time, but that may well prove a blip and she's respected.

Form: 5461-16

Non-Runners

(1)

Tashkhan⁵³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: James Doyle

(8)

Trueshan⁵⁰

Weight: 9-4| Age: 7

T: A King J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Coltrane (11/4), Subjectivist (9/2), Eldar Eldarov (6/1), Courage Mon Ami (15/2), Yibir (8/1), Echoes In Rain (10/1), Emily Dickinson (11/1), Broome (12/1), Trueshan (20/1), Lone Eagle (22/1), Wise Eagle (28/1), Big Call (40/1), Nate The Great (50/1), Tashkhan (50/1)

ELDAR ELDAROV relished the emphasis on stamina when winning the St Leger last season and again did his best work at the finish when a close second in the Yorkshire Cup last time. Still with fewer miles on the clock than most in this field, he's taken to gain a second Royal Ascot success at the chief expense of the much-improved Coltrane, who has to be viewed positively after a tidy success in the Sagaro. 2021 winner Subjectivist and relatively unexposed Emily Dickinson complete the shortlist.