Architect Tips runners guide and betting tips for the feature race on Thursday at Royal Ascot.
Ascot Gold Cup
Thursday’s big race is the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup, which is competed over 2m3f, and we have a strong field of 10 set to put their hoofs into the ground.
The field features 2022 winner Kyprios, who bids to regain his crown, but his competitors include last year’s runner-up Coltrane, Alan King’s Trueshan, as well as Willie Mullins’ Vauban.
Let’s take a look at every runner with an analysis before providing you with my tips and predictions. Best of luck!
Gold Cup Runners Guide
1. Coltrane
- Trainer: Andrew Balding
- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- Form: 315501
- Odds: 14/1
Ascot specialist, with his course form reading 121251. He came close to winning this race last year when he finished second, beaten by three-quarters of a length by Courage Mon Ami.
He further enhanced his fine record here when winning the Sagaro Stakes for the second successive season seven weeks ago. No surprise to him thereabouts.
2. Enemy
- Trainer: Ian Williams
- Jockey: Richard Kingscote
- Form: 221275
- Odds: 100/1
Reliable servant for connections and overperformed when he finished seventh in the Dubai Gold Cup in his penultimate start.
However, he was disappointing when only fifth at Chester last time out in a weaker race and is likely to be outclassed at this tougher level. Others preferred.
3. Kyprios
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Jockey: Ryan Moore
- Form: 112211
- Odds: 1/1
Smashing stayer, who ruled the roost in 2022 by winning all six of his starts, including this race. Despite an interrupted preparation last year, he finished second in both starts and is gradually working his way back to his best this year, winning both of his starts in workmanlike fashion.
The one to beat in his quest to regain his crown, but he's more vulnerable than ever.
4. Prydwen
- Trainer: George Scott
- Jockey: Callum Shepherd
- Form: 815211
- Odds: 50/1
Progressed through the handicap ranks and is in the form of his life of late, winning his last couple of starts, including the all-weather Marathon at Newcastle.
This will be his debut in Group company, though, and he would be a shock winner in spite of improving with every start.
5. Sweet William
- Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
- Jockey: Rab Havlin
- Form: 122331
- Odds: 16/1
Developed into a classy stayer last term and has taken his form to a new level again this season, subsequently edging out the penalised Caius Chorister in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown with Trueshan back in third.
Entering unknown territory over this longer distance, but another patient ride should give him every chance of staying it and he’s an each-way player.
6. Trawlerman
- Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
- Jockey: William Buick
- Form: 801113
- Odds: 8/1
Quirky but talented, the 2022 Ebor winner won all three starts in Britain last season. His notable victory came in the Long Distance Cup here, when he edged out Kyprios. He wasn’t seen to the best effect in the Dubai Gold Cup on his return, but he did well to finish third, and this has been the long-term plan.
His stamina has to be taken on trust tackling this longer trip, but he’s another with place possibilities at least.
8. Vauban
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Jockey: Colin Keane
- Form: 111102
- Odds: 13/2
Top-class hurdler and has done very well on the Flat, winning the Copper Horse at this meeting twelve months ago before winning a Group 3 race at Naas.
Having been sent off as the favourite for the Melbourne Cup, he disappointed, but recently shaped well when runner-up in the Yorkshire Cup on his seasonal reappearance and should be fitter here.
He is a likeable sort, but his stamina will be stretched to its absolute limit. If he stays, I think he’s got a massive chance.
9. Gregory
- Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
- Jockey: James Doyle
- Form: 111353
- Odds: 11/2
Winner of his first three starts last season, featuring an all-the-way success in the Queen’s Vase at this meeting.
He wasn’t in the same form in his next couple of outings, but he made an encouraging return in the Yorkshire Cup, and there could be more to come from him over this longer distance.
I can see him running very well for connections that have won four of the last six renewals.
10. Caius Chorister
- Trainer: David Menuisier
- Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
- Form: 623122
- Odds: 12/1
Has improved from a handicapper into a pretty useful stayer, winning a Group 3 race in France and being marginally edged out in the Sagaro and Henry II Stakes the last two times.
He might have more to offer here, so while a new career-best would be required to take the spoils, there’s substance in his form to suggest he could pick up some pieces.
Gold Cup Tips & Predictions
Kyprios will be hard to beat if he can perform to his best, but the most fascinating runner in the field is VAUBAN (best price 7/1), who might beat him for speed if he stays the distance.
Willie Mullins’ high-class horse shaped well when finishing second in the Yorkshire Cup last time out, and it’s hard to get away from how impressive he was at this meeting last year.
Colin Keane comes over to take the ride, and he’s open to far more improvement in this sphere than the majority of these. I think a new personal best could be on the cards.
