Illinois and Trawlerman are contesting favouritism for the 2025 Ascot Gold Cup today - who do the bookmakers have on top?
The 2025 Ascot Gold Cup, Royal Ascot’s oldest race takes place today at 16:20.
First staged in 1807, the 2m4f marathon is a stern test of stamina, class and tactical patience.
This year, eight declared runners are led by Trawlerman and Illinois, who had emerged as the clear favourite following the withdrawal of last year’s winner Kyprios.
The four-year-old son of Galileo has risen through the ranks with consistency and class. Bookmakers had made him a standout 6/4 chance to give Aidan O’Brien and Coolmore a 10th win in the Gold Cup.
However, he is now available at a best price of 9/4 on William Hill, ceding favouritism to seven-year-old Trawlerman who holds a matched price with many bookmakers but nowhere bigger than 2/1.
Who is the favourite to win the Ascot Gold Cup?
A surprise change at the top of the market makes seven year-old Trawlerman the marginal favourite to win the 2025 Ascot Gold Cup.
His authoritative win in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May reignited hopes of a big-race victory, and his odds have followed suit, first shortening to 4/1 (20%) before coming in late to 2/1.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Trawlerman was second to Kyprios in last year’s Gold Cup having beat him in the 2023 Long Distance Cup.
He stays well, handles the track and thrives on good ground, all vital boxes for the test ahead.
Age may not be on his side, however, as very few seven-year-olds have won this race in the past century, but his profile is built on proven quality over marathon distances and the Gosdens know how to plot a winning route to this meeting.
Edged into second in the market, Illinois has steadily built a profile that fits many key Gold Cup trends. At four years old, he falls into the prime age group (17 of the last 20 winners were aged 4–6), and his pedigree, campaign and connections all scream Gold Cup winning potential.
Although he’s yet to race at Ascot, a minor concern given that nine of the last 12 winners had course form, he’s proven himself at staying distances.
A Group 3 winner at Chester earlier this season, he also boasts a Group 2 win at Longchamp and placed efforts in two Group 1s, including the St Leger.
Rated 116, Illinois may not top the ratings chart, but with Ryan Moore likely to take the ride and the Coolmore team targeting this race with laser focus, he’s earned his position among the market leaders.
Third favourite is Candelari, a lightly raced four-year-old who burst onto the scene with an emphatic win in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.
That demolition job over a solid field including Trueshan and Sevenna’s Knight has seen his odds tumble from 25/1 with the current best price at 7/2.
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Candelari brings fresh blood to the staying division and is seen as France’s best hope of landing the Gold Cup in recent memory.
The big question is whether he can handle Ascot's unique demands, particularly its right-handed configuration and stiff uphill finish.
Connections believe the trip is not a problem and are optimistic about his chances on good ground.
