Ascot Gold Cup

Stu Williams previews the 10 declared runners and picks his winner for the Ascot Gold Cup, Thursday's feature race at the Royal Meeting. 

Kyprios

Kyprios (7/4) will attempt to follow in the footsteps of many Ballydoyle greats by landing this prize and he is one of few in this race who possess the scope for further improvement.

The chestnut son of Galileo has always been held in high regard and he may be ready to repay the faith that connections have in him based on his two outings this spring, which have seen him defeat the 110 rated Search For A Song in the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan before a 14 lengths romp in the Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown.

Both of those victories came on good ground over 14 furlongs and he is yet to test his stamina beyond that trip. However, he’s certainly bred to stay and he remains open to significant improvement after just six career starts, which is ominous for his rivals given that he already boasts a rating of 117 - just 1lb shy of Stradivarius.

Kyprios could easily be the new kid on the block in the staying division and you can beat your last pound that he will be trained to the second for this assignment.

Stradivarius

Stradivarius failed in his attempt to match Yeats four consecutive victories when placing fourth 12 months ago, however, he can still draw level with the that legend of the turf with victory this year.

It’s fair to say John and Thady Gosden’s stayer is close to holding legendary status himself given his haul of group successes and remarkable longevity, and a fourth success in this contest would certainly cement his star in racing’s Hollywood boulevard.

Stradivarius made a successful seasonal reappearance in the Group 2 Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup at York and, in spite of not quite being the force of old, he clearly rates a huge player here.

His latest figures would suggest that he’s around half-a-stone below his peak, which obviously isn’t ideal but could still be enough to triumph given that his main rivals have questions to answer.

Trueshan

Trueshan is probably an unlikely runner (best price 6/1) given the good to firm ground, however, it goes without saying that he would command the utmost respect if indeed taking his place.

Alan King’s stout staying six-year-old landed both the Group 1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes at Goodwood and Group 1 Qatar Prix de Cadran at Longchamp last season before signing off for the winter with a second successive victory in the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

The Planteur gelding is 2-2 at Ascot by virtue of those victories and he looked as good as ever when making a successful return to action at Nottingham in April. He would naturally be a huge player if any rain were to arrive.

Princess Zoe

Anthony Mullins magnificent mare bounced back to winning ways in the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in April and connections will be hopeful that she can go one place better than last year, when chasing home impressive winner Subjectivist.

The grey daughter of Jukebox Jury rose to prominence in 2020, stringing together five back-to-back victories culminating in the Group 1 Qatar Prix de Cadran at Longchamp over two-and-a-half-miles.

Clearly this track and trip suit her well and she will be trained to the minute for this contest. Slightly slower ground would arguably be more favourable, however, she scored on this ground last time out and should run well once again.

Mojo Star

Mojo Star hasn’t been seen since placing 10th in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and is yet to prove his stamina beyond 14.5 furlongs. However, he was a solid runner-up in the Group 1 Cazoo St Ledger Stakes at Doncaster last September and remains a potential improver after just seven career starts.

Richard Hannon’s four-year-old also demonstrated his ability placing second in the Derby and his official rating puts him firmly in the mix, which is particularly promising given his scope for further progression.

It goes without saying that he faces a fierce task on his first outing in 256 days and he does have to prove his stamina. However, he has outperformed market expectations before and could do so again.

Burning Victory

2020 Triumph Hurdle heroine Burning Victory had the misfortune of bumping into a seriously progressive rival in the form of Buzz when placing second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October and this will be her first flat outing since.

The Nathaniel mare was only beaten a neck when attempting to concede 2lbs and pulled eight and a half lengths clear of the third. Burning Victory boasts a rating of 106 following that effort and, like many here, has something to find with the main protagonists.

However, Willie Mullins is master at both training and placing those in his care and William Buick is a very eye-catching jockey booking, therefore it would be foolish to completely write her off.

Tashkhan

Tashkhan was beaten a one-and-a-half-lengths by Stradivarius in the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot last October and he was only 3 lengths behind that same rival when placing third in the Group 2 Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York in May.

While his aforementioned Group 1 runner-up effort is creditable, his other two outings at Ascot - ninth of seventeen in handicap company and fifth of six in Group 3 company - do throw into question his effectiveness on the track.

It is also worth noting that all three of his previous career victories came on soft or heavy ground and those two disappointing efforts came on good to firm ground, which he is likely to encounter here.

Bubble Smart

French raider Bubble Smart placed third behind Trueshan and Stradivarius in the Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in October following a hat-trick of victories at Compiegne, Vichy and Longchamp respectively, the latter of which came in Group 3 company.

The Intello colt found one too good on his seasonal reappearance, however, he was a disappointing favourite in Group 2 company last time out when trailing in sixth of just nine runners.

The fact that connections have decided to target this race is a clear indication of the regard in which he is held and there are certainly no concerns about the trip. However, he will need to bounce back to his very best and that still might not be enough.

Earlofthecotswolds

139 rated hurdler Earlofthecotswolds has won his last three starts on the all-weather and will bid to make a successful turf debut on the level.

The Axxos gelding had earned a rating of 102 following his all-weather exploits and stamina is most certainly assured given that he has won over an extended two-and-half-miles over obstacles.

However, he does have plenty to find with the main protagonists on official ratings and he may lack the requisite class to make his presence felt.

Alignak

Alignak managed a couple of runner-up efforts at Meydan earlier this year and, despite his price, doesn’t actually have too much to find on official ratings in order to be competitive.

However, the Sea The Moon gelding is just 1-13 on turf and is yet to prove his stamina beyond 16 furlongs, while his only previous outing at Ascot saw him place eighth of eight in Group 3 company.

This looks a stiff assignment with that in mind.

Ascot Gold Cup 2022 Tips

Stradivarius would undoubtedly be a popular winner and a fourth success in this contest would certainly cement his place in racing’s hall of fame. Trueshan would rate the one to beat on softer ground and could still run a huge race if given the green light to compete. 

While last year’s runner-up Princess Zoe also commands respect but would also prefer more give in the ground. Derby and St Leger runner-up Mojo Star could easily outperform market expectations if fully would up following a 256 day absence. While Tashkhan and French raider Bubble Smart also have place claims based on the form of their Ascot and Longchamp efforts respectively. 

However, if there’s potential staying superstar of the future in this contest then it’s most likely KYPRIOS, who has improved for the step up in trip this season and could have any amount of untapped potential. His two-and-three-quarter-length defeat of the 110 rated Search For A Song reads well and he shaped like a Group 1 horse when slamming the 101 rated Sunchart at Leopardstown last month. 

The Galileo colt is bred to stay and has significantly less miles on the clock than many of his rivals. No trainer can better Aidan O’Brien’s seven wins in this race, demonstrating that he knows exactly what is required to land this prize.