16.15
Good To FirmGold Cup (Group 1)
- Prize money: £396970
- 2m 3f 210y
- Class 1
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Sunny
Form: 23-132
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (1) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
While form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; third in a 2m Group 2 there in March when last seen; wore cheekpieces on last four starts; should be thereabouts. |
13/2 |
|
3rd 2 (6) |
22nd Aug 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 56y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
So nearly sprung a 33-1 surprise on stable debut in this race last year (good) when his strong finish took him within short head of victory; backed up that form the following month (2m, soft); a notch or two below it this year, including when nearly 10l behind Trawlerman at Sandown (2m) in May but his short-head defeat with first-time cheekpieces there last time was more like it; could be on his way back and needs a second look. |
14/1 |
Form: 174-63
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 4lb
6 yo Colt
OR: 120
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 (5) |
14th Sep 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Three-time winner here including 5L success in Group 2 Curragh Cup in July on latest; Group 1 winner as a 2yo and 3yo, acts on easy ground and looks a deserved favourite on his way to a likely Melbourne Cup bid. |
9/4 |
Form: 17-221 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 4lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 115
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (7) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 11lb |
Much improved last year, best effort to land the Group 1 Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f, soft) in October; close second in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m, good) was a fine start to this campaign and his run on good to firm at Royal Ascot last June, although subsequently eclipsed, looked excellent at the time; needs respect but concedes weight all round. |
7/2 |
|
8th 4 (12) |
6th Sep 2025 Good 1m 6f 1y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Highly progressive and prolific over the last 12 months or so, winning here (2m, good) in May before fine second of 16 in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm); he may be okay on slow ground; could play a leading role if at the top of his game after 81 days off. |
6/1 |
Form: 66-841 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 4lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 (7) |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Won Group 3 (1m6f, good) and Group 2 (2m, good) races at Meydan early last year and he's very much of interest on that form; however, not at the same level subsequently and he was a soundly beaten fourth behind Sweet William in the Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot (2m, good to firm) recently. |
20/1 |
|
4th 6 (5) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Has delivered smart efforts almost every season since 2020 (missed 2024) and last year's win in the 2m Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan was one of his best; that campaign went the wrong way and he did not perk up when returning for Dubai Gold Cup (20-1) five weeks ago, but holds a cracking chance if returning to his best. |
16/1 |
Form: 212-12 C BF
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 4lb
7 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (4) |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
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 |
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 |
Form: 51111- CD
Last run: 243 days
W: 9st 4lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 121
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (2) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
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 |
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 |
Form: 125-51 C
Last run: 20 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (2) |
29th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Won his first three races around this time last year, notably 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase; better again in defeat when second in 1m4f Great Voltigeur and fifth to Scandinavia in St Leger; not quite at same level on last month's seasonal return behind same rival in Navan Listed; visor now replaces blinkers. |
5/4 |
Form: 160-46
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 (6) |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in. |
4/1 |
|
4th 5 (4) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Best form winning the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August in good style from Epic Poet; creditable sixth in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f) and not disgraced when mid-division for the 2m Melbourne Cup in November when last seen; gelded since; could resume his progress and that would bring him back into serious contention. |
11/2 |
Form: 2342-1
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 116
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 6 (3) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Broadly progressive on a range of ground in his first season last year, despite being 0-6 after debut success; beaten a neck from off the pace in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) on final start; that makes him one of the form picks in today's field and, although this trip may eventually turn out to be shorter than ideal, he should be a big player. |
7/2 |
Form: 111-11
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 117
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 (1) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Won four of his five races at three; improved with cheekpieces after Queen's Vase fifth, won a 1m5f Group 3 at Newmarket by almost 9l and mastering older stablemate Illinois in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); dug deep to hold off Rahiebb on soft ground in the St Leger; readily coped with Dallas Star at Navan last month and now continues on the Kyprios route to the Gold Cup. |
2/9 |
|
1st 2 (4) |
25th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Won four of his five races at three, the exception when a close-up fifth behind Carmers in the 1m6f Queen's Vase; improved with cheekpieces, winning a five-runner 1m5f Group 3 at Newmarket by almost 9l and mastering older stablemate Illinois in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); dug deep to hold off Rahieb on soft ground in the St Leger (Carmers fifth); top-class stayer. |
4/5 |
Form: 211-32
Last run: 26 days
W: 9st 1lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 (1) |
23rd May 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Upwardly mobile 5yo who seemed suited by the step up to 2m when winning Listed race at Newmarket (good) last autumn; ran creditably against male rivals when 8l third of eight in Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot on return; today's drop back in distance isn't an obvious positive but she may have more in the tank and should give a good account of herself. |
4/1 |
|
3rd 9 (2) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 1lb |
Won 1m6f handicap at Goodwood (good to firm) last August and a first crack at 2m suited her even better when she led over 1f out to score at 20-1 in a Listed race at Newmarket (good) in September; today's Group 3 should demand plenty more but she could still have untapped potential at 2m+. |
12/1 |
Betting Forcast
40/1 Al Nayyir, 14/1 Al Riffa, 10/1 Caballo De Mar, 33/1 Dubai Future, 9/1 Sweet William, 7/2 Trawlerman, 18/1 Carmers, 66/1 Furthur, 9/2 Rahiebb, 13/8 Scandinavia, 100/1 Miss Alpilles