The Gold Cup is the headline race at Royal Ascot on Thursday. With plenty of other races to enjoy beyond, GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out his four best bets, including a tip against the favourite in the big race.
3.05 Ascot – King George V Stakes
Ralph Beckett has won this in two of the last four seasons and has a likeable prospect involved this term too in SING US A SONG, who looks as progressive as any in this field. While plenty in here have potential for bigger things, there is a chance a mark of 92 patently underestimates him.
He was fifth on debut to no less a rival than Field Of Gold, but improved to win a Goodwood maiden at the end of the season over 1m2f on heavy. He was 1/3 that day and only scraped home, but it may well be that the ground nearly cost him rather than improved him, as he returned in much finer fettle at Sandown.
In a competitive 1m2f handicap, he dictated throughout, ultimately repelling the strong-travelling runner-up with his stamina. As a full brother to former Listed winner and Triumph Hurdle favourite Sir Erec, the extra 2f here should be right up his street and the wide draw is no concern given recent winners have overcome similar berths.
4.20 Ascot – Gold Cup (Group 1)
Illinois may be Kyprios’ heir apparent, but he will need to be, because that heralded former stablemate’s regular scourge was TRAWLERMAN, still going strong at the age of seven for a yard which has been equally successful in this contest in recent seasons.
The selection managed to go through 2024 without winning, but he was always on the premises, finishing third in the Dubai Gold Cup, second in this race, just a length behind Kyprios, and third in his defence of the British Champions Long Distance Cup. The ground would have been soft enough for him that day, but he still remained in the hunt.
On good-to-soft or quicker, he has had stablemate Sweet William’s measure, and even downed Kyprios on Champions Day in 2023. He returned with a dominant success in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown, so while he was entitled to win that comfortably, he has shown he retains all of his ability and stamina. The latter at least, is what Illinois will have to prove to beat him.
5.00 Ascot – Britannia Stakes
Safely ruling any of the 30 participants out in this three-year-old handicap is a fool’s game, but there are a few who stick out. Shout was a massive eyecatcher over 7f here last time, while Raafedd improved beyond recognition on his third start to get off the mark and now could be anything.
The verdict goes to one the handicapper has seen though in FEARNOT for Clive Cox. He was seen indeed over course and distance last time, but it was a serious effort to come clear for a 4¼ length success and the form has worked out: the second, third and fourth all filled exactly the same place next time, but all much closer to their respective conquerors.
A 10lb rise will be tough in this infinitely more competitive contest, but as a horse who races keenly and enjoys being held up, a big-field handicap over this stiff mile is absolutely ideal. He has progressed in all four starts to date and eking out a little more to win this looks plausible.
5.35 Ascot – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
A tight turnaround for Derby sixth Tornado Alert might be slightly too quick although his results in the Classics have been admirable and worthy of respect at his current price. The Prix Du Jockey Club third and fourth look the place to start though and TRINITY COLLEGE can overturn form with Detain.
Aidan O’Brien does not have an outstanding record in this contest, but he is still the only trainer to claim this twice in the last decade. His charge looks a better model at three than he did at two, winning on return, then unfortunate not to run down the winner in Epsom’s Listed Blue Riband Trial. His fourth at Chantilly came despite being part of a pacemaking setup for stablemate Camille Pissarro, who ended up victorious.
The other leader, Bowmark, ended up fading down to 14th, so although it otherwise paid to race prominently, Trinity College’s effort can be upgraded slightly. With just a head to find with Detain on that running, he may now unlock a further gear with Ryan Moore aboard.
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