Gold Cup (2m4f, Thursday, June 17, 4.15pm)
Royal Ascot is the biggest week in the British flat racing calendar. Alongside a plethora of Group 1s, racing fans are treated to some of the most competitive handicaps of the year, and some cracking juvenile contests that unearth future stars. In anticipation of this year’s meeting, Daryl Carter is providing his expert analysis and ante-post betting selections for all of the big Royal Ascot races. Here, Daryl provides his thoughts on the Ascot Gold Cup – one of the week’s top races and the feature on Day 3 of Royal Ascot.
Stradivarius
The staying king bids for a fourth consecutive win in this race and returned with a comfortable victory here over 2m in April. He looked unbeatable until asked to drop back in trip to 1m4f, which could have played a part in his defeat here in the Long Distance Cup over 2m in October. He has been the star of the staying division but is now 7 years old, and time catches up with us all. He offers no value at the current prices.
Subjectivist
He reached a useful level as a three-year-old last season. He scored in three of his four starts over 1m6f but found it too hot in the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster, and it’s likely t be the same story here unless he takes a further step forward and is another that offers no value from an ante-post perspective.
Sir Ron Priestley
Had improved with each start this season before disappointing at York in the Yorkshire Cup but looked like a non-stayer on that occasion which is head-scratching considering he beat Ocean Wind earlier this season over the same trip. There is a good chance that the third run in 4 weeks was too much for him after a 571-day break prior. It’s best to write that run off, and he has to be taken seriously but won’t be far off his current 8/1 on the day.
Trueshan
He came through the handicap ranks and won the Long Distance Cup here in impressive style by 7 lengths with Stradivarius 62 lengths behind. He made a good return at Chester behind Japan over 1m5f, and there is a good chance this longer trip of 2m4f will suit. Big player.
Ocean Wind
He has chased home both Sir Ron Priestley and Stradivarius this season and, on both times, looked as though a stiffer test would suit him. He is highly progressive and unexposed after just 11 races under rules.
Emperor Of The Sun
He took his form to a new level when landing a Listed contest at Leopardstown in May, beating Search For A Song and Twilight Payment in good style. He could be a dark horse in the field and will surely be suited to this trip and has more chance than his 40/1 price tag suggests.
Conclusion
Plenty in with chances, but at this stage, EMPEROR OF THE SUN looks a good bit of value especially given this is his target and he has beaten some of those closer to the top of the market with a career-best. He looks a typical improver and his form from last season suggests it was no fluke. He has one gear, so he will be ridden prominently and look to grind it out in the front wave.