Architect Tips assesses the prospects for Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup next Thursday, as John Gosden’s eight-year-old targets a record-equalling number of wins in the race.
With just days to go until Royal Ascot gets underway next Tuesday, we take a closer look at the Ascot Gold Cup, where the mighty Stradivarius will be bidding to rewrite himself into the history books for the final time and cement his status as one of the greatest stayers’ of all time by winning the race for the fourth time which would put him on equal number of wins in the race with Yeats.
With 18 Group race wins to his name and nearly £3 million in prize money, John Gosden’s star performer owes nobody anything next week but what are his chances looking like in this year’s highly-anticipated renewal of the Gold Cup?
Weather forecast to swing it in Stradivarius’ favour?
Well, the good news is that conditions are looking likely to be in his favour and while he failed to capitalise on the absence of Trueshan when he could only finish fourth in the race last year behind Subjectivist due to interference, the veteran has looked as good as ever so far this year hasn’t he?
After bouncing back to form with wins at York and Doncaster alongside good efforts in defeat at ParisLongchamp and at Ascot in October, he made a winning return to action in the Yorkshire Cup when seeing off Thunderous to ensure he would finish his York career undefeated in six starts.
Yes, he was behind the rising star of the division Trueshan twice last season but conditions were softer than ideal for Stradivarius and that is unlikely to be the case next week for the eight-year-old, who’s seen to best effect on faster ground and will be partnered by his beloved Frankie Dettori.
He is currently 4/1 second-favourite to regain his crown and, with plenty in his favour, the ultimate racehorse looks a very solid each-way player in Thursday’s feature contest as he bids to bow out on a high note.
Conditions too quick for Trueshan?
With conditions looking set to be on fast side (weather forecast set to be dry and sunny all of next week), this may diminish Trueshan’s chances, who’s better suited to underfoot conditions and was pulled out of his intended run at York due to the ground becoming too quick for him to compete and perform to his brilliant best.
He looked in great terms with himself on his reappearance when winning at Nottingham and ended last season with taking victories in the Group 1 Prix Du Cadran and Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day at Ascot.
However, he’s ground-dependant and while it was good to soft when winning here last October, it’s possible he could miss this race for the second consecutive year with conditions looking set to be quicker and his possible absence again would certainly take away some of the gloss from the race. His confirmation will be decided very late by his handler.
At a general 7/2 (best price 9/2), I wouldn’t put anyone off him but out of the two star stayers’ I think Stradivarius is the more solid each-way bet as we know he’s going to line-up in the race.
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Who are the other contenders for the Ascot Gold Cup?
Other key contenders include Aidan O’Brien’s Kyprios, who ran his rivals into the ground last time and has been bought along nicely by his masterful trainer, who has a good record in this.
At the time of writing, he’s actually favourite for the race (best 7/2) and I think his odds are poor value for a horse who’s not only never run over this trip but could also potentially be taking on two of the world’s best stayers. He’s passed over at the prices.
There is one horse I like the look of who I put up in one of my ante-post pieces for the team when covering this race, and that horse is Mojo Star, who’s available at 14/1 across the oddschecker app and website.
He’s also entered in the Hardwicke so has the option of either, but his second in the St Leger last year when only two lengths behind Hurricane Lane suggested that stamina could be his forte and his connections are convinced he’s a stayer in the making going forward.
To read Architect's complete Ascot Gold Ante-Post Preview, click HERE.
He was an excellent second in the Derby last year when still a maiden at the time and while he was below his best in the Arc when last spotted, he was probably feeling the effects of a hard but very good season truth be told. I think he’s a quality horse for Richard Hannon, who’s completely unexposed as a stayer, and could easily pose a threat to the market leaders if ready to roll on his return next week at value odds.
All eyes will be on Stradivarius though, and if this does prove to be his final swansong, win, lose or draw, then what a remarkable career it has been for this legend.
It has been an absolute privilege and blessing to witness a horse of a lifetime and his unforgettable achievements and memories alongside his legacy will be looked back on in years to come by all of his supporters, his team and everyone within the racing community with great pride, dignity and honour for everything he has truly given to our sport.
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