The early favourites for the Ascot Gold Cup

With only a month to go till the most recent renewal of Royal Ascot, followers of flat racing up and down the nation will probably be rubbing their arms in anticipation of the enduring assembly. In fact, the occasion occurred behind closed doorways throughout the peak of the pandemic final June. Nonetheless, this 12 months followers will probably be welcomed again to the historic course and that may undoubtedly make for a a lot better pageant as horses and jockeys alike revel within the ambiance. 

Stradivarius 

There’s little doubt that Stradivarius would be the identify on everybody’s lips within the construct as much as Royal Ascot. Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori and the John Gosden-trained seven-year-old are gunning for an historic fourth-successive victory within the Group 1 race and they’re the outright favourites to take action at round 6/4. Stradivarius’ kind left a bit to be desired in direction of the again finish of final season, as he did not win in three outings — his worst run of kind since he began competing in 2016. Nonetheless, he was again within the winners’ enclosure at Ascot final month, and that may fill his backers with confidence. 

Subjectivist 

At 6/1, Subjectivist is the likeliest horse to cease Stradivarius, Dettori and Gosden from taking residence a fourth Gold Cup. The Mark Johnson-trained four-year-old got here residence in third at 22/1 within the King George V Stakes at Ascot final summer time, and went on to have a good flat season — successful at Hamilton and Goodwood earlier than touchdown the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in Paris. He’s began this 12 months with a victory within the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan and he’s actually in good nick to push Stradivarius all the way in which at Royal Ascot. 

Sir Ron Priestly 

Sir Ron Priestly is one other horse from Johnson’s esteemed yard hoping to usurp the percentages on this 12 months’s Gold Cup. The five-year-old, who’s at the moment 8/1, had a cracking season in 2019 — successful 5 of his seven races — and it seems to be like 571 days with no race hasn’t hampered his profession as he’s again to successful methods, scooping victories at Nottingham and Newmarket already. The Gold Cup will probably be a step up, however don’t rule him out. 

Trueshan 

Trueshan is sizzling on the heels of Sir Ron Priestly at 9/1. The Alan King-trained horse was a little bit of a blended bag for probably the most a part of final season — successful twice in 4 outings. Nonetheless, he has seemed a lot better since Hollie Doyle has taken the reins from Martin Harley. Doyle and the five-year-old landed a victory at 11/1 within the British Champions Lengthy Distance Cup at Ascot in October however had been narrowly overwhelmed by Ryan Moore and Japan at Chester earlier this month. 

The likes of Tiger Moth (10/1), Search For A Tune (12/1), Ocean Wind (12/1) and Santiago (14/1) are all subsequent in line.

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