16.25

7/1

Form: 0111-3 C

Last run: 82 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict

Can make the running; unraced beyond 2m but the way he rallied for a narrow win here (1m7f, good to soft) last October gives plenty of hope regarding the distance and his victim that day was Kyprios; that followed two runaway odds-on wins at much lower levels on good to firm; made a satisfactory reappearance when third in the Dubai Gold Cup in March; firmly in the mix.

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

3rd

5 (9)

14/1

Form: 223-31

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict

Probably acts on any going; sported headgear from the outset (also ridden by Rab Havlin all starts); gave Trueshan plenty to think about in the Doncaster Cup (2m2f, soft) last term in his first Group race; finished on the heels of Coltrane and Caius Chorister here on reappearance and narrowly turned the tables on the latter rival when produced late with the first-time visor at Sandown in another Group 3 four weeks ago; has a solid record but needs to find a bit extra.

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

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

8 (5)

Vauban

J: Colin Keane

T: W P Mullins

6/1

Form: /110-2 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict

Very smart 2m hurdler who was back to the Flat with a bang last summer, hacking up from the front in a 1m6f handicap at Royal Ascot (good) and tidy winner of a 1m4f Group 3 at Naas (soft); favourite for the Melbourne Cup in November but faded into mid-division; his second in the Yorkshire Cup on return was also some way below his best form but he could have come on since that run; stamina to prove but last year's win here needs a deal of respect.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
2nd 5 (6)	15th Sep 2024 Good 1m 6f 0y	16:45 Curragh Vauban 9st 11lb J: William Buick T: W P Mullins	held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner	11/2
1st 7 (4)	23rd Aug 2024 Good To Firm 2m 0f 56y Class 1	14:25 York Vauban 9st 5lb J: William Buick T: W P Mullins	Attentions concentrated on the Flat since his runaway handicap win at Royal Ascot last June; has not quite lived up to that dazzling display, this term running respectably in the Yorkshire Cup here and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, seemingly stretched by 2m4f (good to firm) in the latter, before a lesser show at the Curragh five weeks ago; big player if back at his peak.	3/1
3rd 7 (3)	20th Jul 2024 Good 1m 6f 0y	16:15 Curragh Vauban 9st 11lb J: Colin Keane T: W P Mullins	midfield, headway and chased clear leader 3f out, 8 lengths down when lost second inside final furlong, kept on	5/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

2nd

5

(6)

15th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

9st 11lb

held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

11/2

1st

7

(4)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

9st 5lb

Attentions concentrated on the Flat since his runaway handicap win at Royal Ascot last June; has not quite lived up to that dazzling display, this term running respectably in the Yorkshire Cup here and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, seemingly stretched by 2m4f (good to firm) in the latter, before a lesser show at the Curragh five weeks ago; big player if back at his peak.

3/1

3rd

7

(3)

20th Jul 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

9st 11lb

midfield, headway and chased clear leader 3f out, 8 lengths down when lost second inside final furlong, kept on

5/2

5th

1 (10)

Coltrane

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

12/1

Form: 155-01 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict

Stalwart of the staying scene whose good record at Ascot (sole blemish last October) includes a second in this race last year; easily best of last four starts came when cheekpieces were enlisted here on latest outing, holding on by a head from Caius Chorister; the headgear is retained and he's on the premises if the ground is no worse than good to soft.

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

10 (7)

Caius Chorister

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: David Menuisier

12/1

Form: 231-22 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 109

Form & Verdict

Probably acts on any going; ended last term with a 1m6f Group 3 win from the front at Saint-Cloud and showed better form again when upped to 2m and beaten a head this season in Group 3s at Ascot and Sandown; there's been little between her, Coltrane and Sweet William at level weights this term but she now receives 3lb; has stuck to her guns well over 2m and now steps up in trip again.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
4th 8 (4)	19th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 7f 127y Class 1	13:20 Ascot Caius Chorister 9st 6lb J: James Doyle T: David Menuisier	Ended 2023 with French 1m6f Group 3 win from the front (very soft); raised her game again this season upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings, beaten a head by Sweet William on second occasion (soft); however, she's not lived up to those performances, usually racing too freely.	66/1
2nd 8 (3)	31st Aug 2024 Good 1m 6f 87y Class 1	15:15 Chester Caius Chorister 9st 3lb J: James Doyle T: David Menuisier	Ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and raised her game again this season when upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and disappointed when she again raced freely and reverted to front-running at Goodwood four weeks ago; the one to beat judged on initial form this term and James Doyle riding her for the first time is interesting.	5/2
4th 1 (4)	3rd Aug 2024 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 1	15:00 Goodwood Caius Chorister 9st 9lb J: Harry Bentley T: David Menuisier	Won at this meeting in 2022; ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and better form again this season when upped to 2m and beaten a head in Group 3s at Ascot and Sandown; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup on latest outing but looks a major player today.	11/4

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

4th

8

(4)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 127y

Class 1

9st 6lb

Ended 2023 with French 1m6f Group 3 win from the front (very soft); raised her game again this season upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings, beaten a head by Sweet William on second occasion (soft); however, she's not lived up to those performances, usually racing too freely.

66/1

2nd

8

(3)

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

9st 3lb

Ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and raised her game again this season when upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and disappointed when she again raced freely and reverted to front-running at Goodwood four weeks ago; the one to beat judged on initial form this term and James Doyle riding her for the first time is interesting.

5/2

4th

1

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

9st 9lb

Won at this meeting in 2022; ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and better form again this season when upped to 2m and beaten a head in Group 3s at Ascot and Sandown; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup on latest outing but looks a major player today.

11/4

7th

9 (2)

5/1

Form: 1135-3 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict

Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at this meeting for his third win last year; put in his place in the Great Voltigeur on good to firm at York, the St Leger at Doncaster and the Yorkshire Cup at York, but ran creditably in them all and the latter was a promising return to action seeing as it now looks as if he will be extremely well suited by longer trips; this is a much longer one but it's not hard to think that this lightly raced 4yo may be about to come into his own.

Place / No / Draw	Date / Going / Distance / Class	Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer	Verdict	Starting price
1st 3 (2)	13th Jun 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1	15:00 York Gregory 9st 2lb J: James Doyle T: John & Thady Gosden	Won Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good) in 2023 and third in Group 2 Lonsdale Cup here (2m, good) in August 2024; absent since disappointing run in Saudi Arabia in February 2025 (wind op since) and returns with something to prove, but he's a major player if retaining his peak ability.	9/2
5th 2 (3)	13th Sep 2024 Good 2m 1f 197y Class 1	15:35 Doncaster Gregory 9st 7lb J: James Doyle T: John & Thady Gosden	Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his six races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only flop; career-best form in the Goodwood Cup next time, beaten a head by Sweet William for second; third at York (again 2m on good) last time was not at that level but some of the stars of the division are missing today and he has to be considered seriously.	11/4
3rd 3 (1)	23rd Aug 2024 Good To Firm 2m 0f 56y Class 1	14:25 York Gregory 9st 5lb J: James Doyle T: John & Thady Gosden	Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his five races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only disappointing show and he followed that with career-best form when third in the 2m Goodwood Cup late last month; effective here and he's one of the several leading candidates on form.	9/2

Place /
No / Draw

Date / Going /
Distance / Class

Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer

Verdict

Starting price

1st

3

(2)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

9st 2lb

Won Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good) in 2023 and third in Group 2 Lonsdale Cup here (2m, good) in August 2024; absent since disappointing run in Saudi Arabia in February 2025 (wind op since) and returns with something to prove, but he's a major player if retaining his peak ability.

9/2

5th

2

(3)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

9st 7lb

Took the 1m6f Queen's Vase from the front at Royal Ascot 2023; supporting roles in his six races since but the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot was his only flop; career-best form in the Goodwood Cup next time, beaten a head by Sweet William for second; third at York (again 2m on good) last time was not at that level but some of the stars of the division are missing today and he has to be considered seriously.

11/4

3rd

3

(1)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

9st 5lb