16:25 Royal Ascot

Thursday 20 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 4m 18.06s

(10)

Coltrane^p⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 117| CD

10/1

Enhanced his excellent record at this track when winning Sagaro for second successive season 7 weeks ago, just holding off the fast-finishing Caius Chorister in this headgear. Produced a career best when runner-up in this last year and likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 3155-01

(1)

Enemy^t⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 110| C

100/1

Smart stayer over the years and has looked as good as ever in 2024, but he's not up to this level.

Form: 2-21275

(8)

Kyprios³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| CD

11/10

Champion stayer in 2022, winning all 6 starts, notably this race. Second both outings last season after a year off, though shaped as if retaining his ability (ridden inefficiently when denied by Trawlerman in Long Distance Cup). Comfortably landed the odds both starts this term and the one to beat.

Form: 11/22-11

(6)

Prydwen⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 108

100/1

Progressive handicapper with an excellent strike rate in the last couple of years, bagging a valuable pot in the AW Marathon before following up at Southwell. However, this is a huge ask on first foray into Group company.

Form: 81-5211

(9)

Sweet William^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109

9/1

Progressed into a smart stayer last season and has improved again this term, stepping up on his comeback when edging out the penalised Caius Chorister in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Should stay this far but he needs to be played late, which is difficult against this level of opposition.

Form: 1223-31

(3)

Trawlerman^h⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| C

7/1

Ebor winner in 2022 and improved again last season, winning all 3 starts in this country, notably when edging out Kyprios (ridden inefficiently) in Long Distance Cup here (15.6f). Not seen to best effect (set steady pace) when third in Dubai Gold Cup on return in March and this trip likely to suit.

Form: 80111-3

(5)

Vauban^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Colin Keane| T: W P Mullins| OR: 114| C

13/2

High-class hurdler and also really smart on the Flat, bolting up in the Copper Horse (14f) at this meeting 12 months ago before winning Naas Group 3. Disappointed when favourite for the Melbourne Cup but shaped well when runner-up in the Yorkshire Cup on return. Stamina over this trip is the doubt.

Form: 11/110-2

(2)

Gregory³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| C

15/2

Most progressive when winning first 3 starts last season, notably when making all in Queen's Vase at this meeting. Excuses in Great Voltigeur/St Leger last 2 outings at 3 and made an encouraging return when third in Yorkshire Cup, shaping as if stamina is his forte. More to come up in distance.

Form: 11135-3

(7)

Caius Chorister²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: D Menuisier| OR: 109| BF

20/1

Rapid improver in handicaps at 3 yrs, winning 5 in a row. Plenty of good efforts in defeat last year before finally back to winning ways in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (13.9f, soft). Took form to a new level when just failing under a penalty in Sagaro at Ascot/Henry II Stakes at Sandown and worth a shot.

Form: 6231-22

Non-Runners

(4)

Trueshan²⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 8

T: A King J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Kyprios (11/10), Vauban (13/2), Trawlerman (7/1), Gregory (15/2), Sweet William (9/1), Coltrane (10/1), Caius Chorister (20/1), Trueshan (33/1), Enemy (100/1), Prydwen (100/1)

KYPRIOS suffered an interrupted campaign in 2023 but he was a high-class stayer the season before, the first of his 4 Group 1 wins coming in this race, and the way he shaped when winning both starts this term suggests he's as good as ever. He can provide his trainer with a record-extending ninth success, though the Gosden stable has an excellent recent record in this and hold a strong hand once again with Gregory and Trawlerman, who will both be suited by this marathon trip.