13.15

J: Frankie Dettori

10/1 (Won)

Win: £11.70
Place: £2.20

Form: 3-8011 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict

Won the Ebor Handicap last season before about 3l third to Trueshan and Coltrane in this race on good to soft, unraced on worse; absent nearly six months before recent wide-margin, front-running wins at odds-on in very small fields for a 1m6f conditions race at Salisbury and 2m Listed race at Newmarket; faces a vastly more competitive field but looks better than ever.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2nd 6 (2)	18th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 1	16:15 Ascot Trawlerman 9st 4lb J: William Buick T: John & Thady Gosden	High class, a thorough stayer and a right battler, the powerful combination of which were seen to prime effect here as a 7yo last year when he made the running (he doesn't have to) to win the Gold Cup on good to firm by 7l, having been a close second the year before; just as good when he won here on final start last term; it's seemingly been touch and go whether he defends his crown, as he has been denied a preliminary run this time round and has developed a rare eye problem which makes him sensitive to sunlight, but he's the one to beat if judged on those sterling performances of 2025.	7/2
3 (2)	18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 209y Class 1	12:55 Ascot Trawlerman 9st 9lb J: William Buick T: John & Thady Gosden	Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup here (2m4f) this June, winning by 7l; that's his career-best form but several runs are not far behind it, including his two other wins this season; latest was from Sweet William at York (2m); won this race in 2023, fair third last year and very much the one to beat this time.	4/9
1st 1 (4)	22nd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 56y Class 1	14:25 York Trawlerman 9st 8lb J: William Buick T: John & Thady Gosden	Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) two months ago, winning by 7l; favourite that day, having gone head to head with the best stayers around in 2023 and 2024; the one to beat, though the 3lb penalty and probably the shorter trip make his task a bit more difficult.	4/7

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2nd

6

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

9st 4lb

High class, a thorough stayer and a right battler, the powerful combination of which were seen to prime effect here as a 7yo last year when he made the running (he doesn't have to) to win the Gold Cup on good to firm by 7l, having been a close second the year before; just as good when he won here on final start last term; it's seemingly been touch and go whether he defends his crown, as he has been denied a preliminary run this time round and has developed a rare eye problem which makes him sensitive to sunlight, but he's the one to beat if judged on those sterling performances of 2025.

7/2

3

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

9st 9lb

Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup here (2m4f) this June, winning by 7l; that's his career-best form but several runs are not far behind it, including his two other wins this season; latest was from Sweet William at York (2m); won this race in 2023, fair third last year and very much the one to beat this time.

4/9

1st

1

(4)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

9st 8lb

Battling 7yo who can front-run (doesn't have to) and did so to pulverising effect in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) two months ago, winning by 7l; favourite that day, having gone head to head with the best stayers around in 2023 and 2024; the one to beat, though the 3lb penalty and probably the shorter trip make his task a bit more difficult.

4/7

OUR TIP

2nd

3 (6)

Kyprios

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

5/4

Place: £1.15

Form: 1111-2 C BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 121

Form & Verdict

Last season's top stayer with a 6-6 record, including the Gold Cup here and best form when 20l winner (hanging badly when clear) on very soft over 2m4f in the Prix du Cadran; odds on but ring-rusty in the 1m6f Irish St Leger six weeks ago on return from injury, keeping on into second of four which connections reportedly assess as a satisfactory stepping stone to this race; the one to beat on peak form but needs a major step forward from that latest run.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 1 (3)	16th May 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y	19:23 Leopardstown Kyprios 9st 10lb J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien	Champion stayer of recent years attempts to win this for the third time in the last four years; unblemished record last season included wins at the highest level in Ascot and Goodwood Cups, Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran; reappeared for traditional Vintage Crop win at Navan last month and another straightforward task here en route to Ascot.	1/10
1st 1 (3)	16th May 2025 Good 1m 6f 0y	19:23 Leopardstown Kyprios 9st 10lb J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien	Champion stayer of recent years attempts to win this for the third time in the last four years; unblemished record last season included wins at the highest level in Ascot and Goodwood Cups, Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran; reappeared for traditional Vintage Crop win at Navan last month and another straightforward task here en route to Ascot.	1/10
1st 1 (7)	26th Apr 2025 Yielding 1m 6f 0y	15:25 Navan Kyprios 9st 10lb J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien	raced in second, pushed along under 3f out, challenging under 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, ran on well and went clear final 110yds	1/3

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

1

(3)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

9st 10lb

Champion stayer of recent years attempts to win this for the third time in the last four years; unblemished record last season included wins at the highest level in Ascot and Goodwood Cups, Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran; reappeared for traditional Vintage Crop win at Navan last month and another straightforward task here en route to Ascot.

1/10

1st

1

(3)

16th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

9st 10lb

Champion stayer of recent years attempts to win this for the third time in the last four years; unblemished record last season included wins at the highest level in Ascot and Goodwood Cups, Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran; reappeared for traditional Vintage Crop win at Navan last month and another straightforward task here en route to Ascot.

1/10

1st

1

(7)

26th Apr 2025

Yielding

1m 6f 0y

9st 10lb

raced in second, pushed along under 3f out, challenging under 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, ran on well and went clear final 110yds

1/3

3rd

5 (3)

8/1

Place: £1.75

Form: 211122

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict

Sported headgear from the outset (also ridden by Rab Havlin all starts); travelled smoothly before dominating the closing stages of useful handicaps at Newbury (2m) and Goodwood (1m6f, heavy); close second in the Ebor at York (1m6f) and gave Trueshan plenty to think about, beaten by just over 1l, in Doncaster Cup (2m2f); highly progressive and makes each-way appeal.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
3rd 5 (9)	18th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 1	16:15 Ascot Sweet William 9st 4lb J: Robert Havlin T: John & Thady Gosden	Third and fourth in the last two renewals of this race and his 19l defeat last year was the only time in his career that he's finished out of the top three; being ridden closer to the pace that day seemingly backfired, as he's usually smuggled into each-way contention in the closing stages; beat Caballo De Mar (who gave 2lb) in one tight finish this year and not quite able to reel in Dubai Future in another; probably as good as ever but winning the Gold Cup may again prove a bit beyond him.	16/1
2nd 1 (4)	28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1	18:12 Sandown Sweet William 9st 9lb J: Robert Havlin T: John & Thady Gosden	Won this in 2024 and has added three more Group-race wins, the latest on reappearance in this month's Sagaro Stakes at Ascot (2m, good to firm) where he was clear with subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar; leading claims despite 5lb penalty.	Evs
1st 2 (9)	1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1	14:35 Ascot Sweet William 9st 9lb J: Robert Havlin T: John & Thady Gosden	Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he nearly always gives his running, including at this track; he did not have the top stayers to worry about last September when winning his second Doncaster Cup and the same seems to apply today, so he's a leading player.	2/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

3rd

5

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

9st 4lb

Third and fourth in the last two renewals of this race and his 19l defeat last year was the only time in his career that he's finished out of the top three; being ridden closer to the pace that day seemingly backfired, as he's usually smuggled into each-way contention in the closing stages; beat Caballo De Mar (who gave 2lb) in one tight finish this year and not quite able to reel in Dubai Future in another; probably as good as ever but winning the Gold Cup may again prove a bit beyond him.

16/1

2nd

1

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

9st 9lb

Won this in 2024 and has added three more Group-race wins, the latest on reappearance in this month's Sagaro Stakes at Ascot (2m, good to firm) where he was clear with subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar; leading claims despite 5lb penalty.

Evs

1st

2

(9)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

9st 9lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he nearly always gives his running, including at this track; he did not have the top stayers to worry about last September when winning his second Doncaster Cup and the same seems to apply today, so he's a leading player.

2/1

4th

7 (7)

Trueshan

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

2/1

Form: 1-2411 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict

Goes very well in the mud; among his variety of big-race wins, this contest proved an excellent fit in the last three runnings (last two were on good to soft); had wind surgery after second start this season and his two runs since have been wins in the Doncaster Cup (seeing off Sweet William) and Prix du Cadran; still takes a strong hold and trying to hold him up proved a losing battle at Doncaster, before he dictated the pace in the Cadran; being able to dictate again can't be guaranteed but a fourth Long Distance Cup win may still be forthcoming.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
7 (7)	29th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1	15:05 Goodwood Trueshan 9st 12lb J: Hollie Doyle T: Alan King	Needs good ground or softer; grand stayer who has been first, third and fourth on his three appearances in the Goodwood Cup; not disgraced on return in France this May and he got seriously involved every time last season after his first run, but he's a 9yo now and it would be rolling back the years to see him top of the pile today.	40/1
2nd 5 (2)	13th Sep 2024 Good 2m 1f 197y Class 1	15:35 Doncaster Trueshan 9st 7lb J: Hollie Doyle T: Alan King	Tricky to settle; beaten a neck by Coltrane in this race in 2022 but he went one better against Sweet William in it in 2023; as in those races, he's usually been kept to ground softer than good, but he was allowed to take his chance on good going on last two starts, hammering his rivals in a Listed race at Sandown but finishing just over 4l adrift of Sweet William and Gregory in the Goodwood Cup last time; a staying star of previous campaigns but on this season's evidence he needs a bit extra.	4/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

7

(7)

29th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

9st 12lb

Needs good ground or softer; grand stayer who has been first, third and fourth on his three appearances in the Goodwood Cup; not disgraced on return in France this May and he got seriously involved every time last season after his first run, but he's a 9yo now and it would be rolling back the years to see him top of the pile today.

40/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

9st 7lb

Tricky to settle; beaten a neck by Coltrane in this race in 2022 but he went one better against Sweet William in it in 2023; as in those races, he's usually been kept to ground softer than good, but he was allowed to take his chance on good going on last two starts, hammering his rivals in a Listed race at Sandown but finishing just over 4l adrift of Sweet William and Gregory in the Goodwood Cup last time; a staying star of previous campaigns but on this season's evidence he needs a bit extra.

4/1

5th

2 (8)

Coltrane

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

7/1

Form: -12315 CD BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict

His only two runs on soft (unraced on heavy) were in 2020 and in the Doncaster Cup five weeks ago, below form in both; pipped by Trueshan in this race last year (good to soft) and in career-best form this season, showing it twice at this track and when winning at York on penultimate start; soft or heavy ground is the big worry.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1 (3)	12th Sep 2025 Good To Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1	15:00 Doncaster Coltrane 9st 7lb J: P J McDonald T: Andrew Balding	Stalwart of the staying scene, including with a win in this race in 2022 and a creditable fourth in 2024; both were on good to soft (beaten nearly 4l by Sweet William last year) and there was a lesser show on soft ground in the 2023 renewal; not quite as good as he was and he was dropped to a Listed race when winning ten weeks ago when last seen; major place contender if the ground isn't soft.	12/1
3 (5)	4th Jul 2025 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1	16:45 Sandown Coltrane 9st 2lb J: William Buick T: Andrew Balding	Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class.	9/2
5th 1 (6)	19th Jun 2025 Good To Firm 2m 3f 210y Class 1	16:20 Ascot Coltrane 9st 4lb J: Oisin Murphy T: Andrew Balding	Stalwart of the top staying races who was at his best in 2023 but not far off it on two occasions in 2024, in a very mixed campaign; runner-up in two four-runner races this season, with latest start better than the first but he was still no match for Trawlerman; second and fifth in the last two Gold Cups and others will have to underperform if he's to win it.	33/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1

(3)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

9st 7lb

Stalwart of the staying scene, including with a win in this race in 2022 and a creditable fourth in 2024; both were on good to soft (beaten nearly 4l by Sweet William last year) and there was a lesser show on soft ground in the 2023 renewal; not quite as good as he was and he was dropped to a Listed race when winning ten weeks ago when last seen; major place contender if the ground isn't soft.

12/1

3

(5)

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

9st 2lb

Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class.

9/2

5th

1

(6)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

9st 4lb

Stalwart of the top staying races who was at his best in 2023 but not far off it on two occasions in 2024, in a very mixed campaign; runner-up in two four-runner races this season, with latest start better than the first but he was still no match for Trawlerman; second and fifth in the last two Gold Cups and others will have to underperform if he's to win it.

33/1

6th

1 (2)

Broome

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

40/1

Form: 130753 C

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Horse

OR: 116

Form & Verdict

Good middle-distance performer for most of his career (won at Royal Ascot 2022) but took the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup at York in May; not so good since and although he kept on stoutly when a respectable third at Doncaster (2m2f, soft) last time, he was comfortably seen off by Trueshan and Sweet William; work to do.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
6th 1 (2)	21st Oct 2023 Soft 1m 7f 209y Class 1	13:15 Ascot Broome 9st 9lb J: Dylan Browne McMonagle T: A P O’Brien	midfield, dropped to rear 4f out, never dangerous	40/1
3rd 2 (1)	15th Sep 2023 Soft 2m 1f 197y Class 1	15:00 Doncaster Broome 9st 7lb J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien	Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup at York in May but well beaten in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup the next twice, and was about 8l behind Coltrane at York last time; others preferred.	10/1
5th 3 (4)	25th Aug 2023 Good To Firm 2m 0f 56y Class 1	14:25 York Broome 9st 5lb J: Ryan Moore T: A P O’Brien	Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third to Giavellotto in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup here in May but well beaten since in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, so others are preferred.	8/1

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

6th

1

(2)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

13:15 Ascot

Broome

9st 9lb

T: A P O’Brien

midfield, dropped to rear 4f out, never dangerous

40/1

3rd

2

(1)

15th Sep 2023

Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

9st 7lb

Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup at York in May but well beaten in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup the next twice, and was about 8l behind Coltrane at York last time; others preferred.

10/1

5th

3

(4)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

9st 5lb

Good middle-distance performer for most of his career but won the Dubai Gold Cup over 2m in March; close third to Giavellotto in the 1m6f Yorkshire Cup here in May but well beaten since in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, so others are preferred.

8/1

7th

8 (4)

Maxident

J: Owen Lewis

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

100/1

Form: 1434

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict

50l win in a novice at Leicester (1m4f, heavy) in April but against just two rivals; has come up short since, latest start in a soft-ground handicap over 1m6f; while heavy ground would hold no fears and he's had only four races (made the running in three) so could still do better, vastly better is required in this race.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2nd 4 (4)	7th Jun 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 3	16:10 Goodwood Maxident 9st 3lb J: David Egan T: Kevin Philippart De Foy	Effective here; goes well on testing ground, as he showed again when winning at Ffos Las (1m6f; stays 2m+) in September on latest start; 3lb rise today is far less concerning than a move away from soft or heavy ground; big player if conditions are in his favour.	7/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

Maxident

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

Effective here; goes well on testing ground, as he showed again when winning at Ffos Las (1m6f; stays 2m+) in September on latest start; 3lb rise today is far less concerning than a move away from soft or heavy ground; big player if conditions are in his favour.

7/2

8th

4 (5)

Stratum