It feels as though the Kentucky Derby has only just finished, but flat racing fans are already looking forward to the Royal action at Ascot this June.
Of all the prestigious races that will take place during the four-day festival, the most hotly anticipated is the Gold Cup. This race represents the toughest test of endurance of any Group 1 flat race. Taking place over a gruelling course of two miles and four furlongs, the Gold Cup allows horses aged four years and up to show they have what it takes to muster a turn of foot up that tough Ascot run-in.
Last year it was won by Kyprios, who has remained unbeaten since his nail-biting half-a-length win over Mojo Star. This year, it’s still up for discussion which horse we’ll see soar past the winning post first, but here are the ones we think will be in with the best chance.
Coltrane
It makes sense to start with the already short-priced favorite Coltrane. This six-year-old gelding is well in his prime and looked every inch the Group 1 winner when storming home to win the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot earlier this month. He showed an impressive turn of foot up the notoriously wearing Ascot run-in, beating Wise Eagle by four and a half lengths while looking like he had even more to give.
As well as that impressive Group 3 win, Coltrane has also won a race at Group 2 level when he stole the Doncaster Cup Stakes from Trueshan. The importance of this form cannot be understated, as Trueshan is a proven long-distance runner, having won the Prix du Cadran in 2021 (a race that has often been a good indicator of Gold Cup success).
Doncaster wasn’t the only meeting between the two. Last year, Trueshan took the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot by just a head to Coltrane, and since then, Coltrane left Trueshan in the dirt in the Sagaro Stakes.
Given Trueshan’s recent form, we can probably rule him out as the winner of the Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Coltrane’s form at such a high level means his lack of a Group 1 win shouldn’t put any potential punters off.
If you’re considering a bet on the favorite, it’s a good idea to find the best value possible. Looking ahead of time at ante-post bets will likely yield better odds than betting on the day. As well as this, using one of the free horse racing bets currently available for the Ascot festival means you won’t have to wager your own money, making the short odds seem less of a hindrance.
Emily Dickinson
The next in the betting is Emily Dickinson, a gutsy four-year-old filly who looked impressive when winning on incredibly heavy ground at Navan last month in the Vintage Crop Stakes. Although the race took place on a course of one mile and six furlongs, the sticky ground made it a testing trip. However, Emily Dickinson made her move in the last furlong and soared past the post in an almost last-to-first run that saw her win by five lengths.
Form in listed races is one thing, but Group races are generally more of a challenge. Emily Dickinson has form in both.
In her previous outing, she won the Loughbrown Stakes by five and a half lengths. This race runs over two miles, and again the ground was testing.
It’s worth noting that in this race, she beat Baron Samedi home, a proven distance horse who notably won the Belmont Stakes in 2021. It’s hard to pick between the two horses, but it would be lovely to see a mare win.
