Steve Ryder has picked out his favourite selection among the eight runners in a stellar field for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
16:20 Royal Ascot
The Gold Cup is the feature race on Day 3 of Royal Ascot and the ultimate test of stamina in Flat racing. First run in 1807, it attracts the best stayers from Britain, Ireland and Europe over a gruelling 2m4f trip.
Steve Ryder analyses the eight runners declared for the race.
Ascot Gold Cup Runner-by-Runner Guide
Illinois
Aidan O’Brien’s leading staying prospect has never finished outside the top three in his career and returns to Royal Ascot as a serious Group 1 contender. After landing the Queen’s Vase at this meeting last year, Illinois was just denied in the St Leger. He returned with a stylish win in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester, showing he retains his class. With a proven turn of foot and strong staying profile, he looks ready to take over as Ballydoyle’s new staying star.
Trawlerman
An experienced performer with strong Ascot form, Trawlerman famously beat Kyprios in the 2023 Long Distance Cup before running a close second in last year’s Gold Cup. He warmed up for this with a commanding win in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Although now seven, he remains in good heart and thrives in testing stayers’ contests. A repeat of last year’s run puts him firmly in the mix again.
Candelari
This exciting French raider burst onto the staying scene with a dominant win in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp in May, drawing clear by 3½ lengths. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, Candelari has progressed sharply this season and looks ideally bred for a race like this. If handling the unique demands of Ascot, he could make a big impact on his UK debut.
Sweet William
Consistently placed in top staying races, Sweet William finished third in last year’s Gold Cup and later captured the Doncaster Cup. Although winless at Ascot, he’s never run a bad race here and brings solid credentials. A quirky but talented runner, he made a quiet seasonal return at York but should come on plenty for that outing.
Yashin
Formerly trained in Ireland, Yashin made an immediate impact for new trainer Michael Bell by winning the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on his seasonal debut. He has Group form over 1m6f and 2m and is clearly on an upward trajectory. He’ll need a career-best to trouble the market leaders but could sneak into the frame if the race becomes a stamina test.
Wonder Legend
A lively outsider who has quietly progressed through handicaps and lower-level stakes races. Wonder Legend has shown potential over extended trips and could be suited by a strong pace and stiff finish. He lacks the class of the main protagonists on paper but represents a younger, unexposed profile.
Coltrane
A familiar name in staying circles, Coltrane has struggled to get his head in front recently, with his last win coming in the 2023 Sagaro Stakes. He finished a well-beaten fifth in last year’s Gold Cup and has found a few too good in both starts this season. His best days may be behind him, but his consistency still makes him a credible each-way option.
Dubai Future
A versatile Godolphin campaigner who has placed in Group company over middle distances but is yet to prove himself over extreme trips like this. Most effective around 1m4f–1m6f, Dubai Future would be tackling unknown territory in the Gold Cup and may be punching above his weight at this level.
Ascot Gold Cup Tips
Steve Ryder's Ascot Gold Cup selection below was advised ante-post on Tuesday 10th June.
With last year’s Gold Cup hero Kyprios now retired, ILLINOIS (best price 7/4) steps into the spotlight as the new staying king in waiting. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who already has nine Gold Cup victories to his name, Illinois brings class, proven stamina, and impeccable form to the table.
He was an authoritative winner of the Queen’s Vase over 1m6f at Royal Ascot last year and showed his staying power again when landing the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on his seasonal return. Form lines through Jan Brueghel and other Group 1 winners only strengthen his credentials.
In a race where experience counts but upward mobility matters even more, Illinois fits the perfect profile to become the next dominant force in staying races.
