The only Group One race of Thursdays card at this year’s Royal Ascot, the Ascot Gold Cup is arguably the race of the entire meeting.
This year’s edition has an extra layer of pertinence as this will be Stradivarius’s last appearance at the Royal Meeting. Stradivarius has won this race three times and will be looking to equal the legendary Yeates of four wins with a victory in the race.
Ascot Gold Cup –
Group One, 2 miles and four furlongs, £500,000 open to horses four and over
Ten will go to post for one of the most valuable races at this year’s Royal Ascot. The betting is led by the Aidan O’Brien trainee Kyprios. Taking a big step up in trip, Kyprios has looked a stayer in the making following two comfortable victories in both Listed and Group 3 successes this season. Although the distance is an unknown he has hit the line with plenty left in the tank. At just 4 he could be a future star of the division.
The winner of this race in 2018, 2019 and 2020, Stradivarius couldn’t make it four wins in a row last year. A ride that Frankie Dettori would like back, Stradivarius was left with too much to do and had to put his bid for history on ice. On the wrong side of eight, Stradivarius has been campaigned cleverly in a bid to be as fresh as possible for the big race. His performance in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup Stakes was impressive and there is every chance he can win this race once again.
Forced to withdraw from the race last season, Trueshan has reigned supreme at Ascot winning twice at Ascot’s Champions Day. Held in October, Trueshan beat Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup. The distance will hold no concerns for the Alan King trained horse and at a bigger price than both his market rivals, Trueshan could be the value play of the day.
Rounding off the top four in the betting is Princess Zoe. Trained in Ireland by Tony Mullins, Princess Zoe has decent course and distance form as she finished second in this race last year. A long shot that day, Princess Zoe has a live chance but against hotter opposition this time around a win could be just out of reach.
A horse that could make things interesting at a huge price is Earl of the Cotswolds. A horse that competes both on the flat and jumps, he has won four of his last seven starts – which includes a hurdle victory at this distance. This race represents a huge step up in class but under an enterprising ride he could be a good shout considering his huge price.
Tashkhan could be another player at a large price. He also recently beat Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup won by Trueshan and although he is winless in his last six, a try at this trip could get the best out of him.
Ascot Gold Cup Betting Pick
In a tough race to predict, the old boy Stradivarius could go out as a hero with his forth win in the race. With a few unknowns about some of his rivals, his experience and class could be enough for Stradivarius to go down as one of the all time greats.
| HORSE | JOCKEY | HORSE RACING ODDS BY JAZZSPORTS |
| Kyprios | R. Moore | +100 |
| Stradivarius | F. Dettori | +210 |
| Trueshan | H. Doyle | +600 |
| Princess Zoe | JM. Sheridan | +700 |
| Burning Victory | W. Buick | +2500 |
| Mojo Star | R. Ryan | +1300 |
| Earlofthecotswolds | L. Keniry | +4000 |
| Tashkhan | B. Robinson | +2500 |
| Bubble Smart | G. Mosse | +4000 |
| Alignak | S. Osborne | +6000 |
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