To me, this year's Gold Cup is the highlight race of Royal Ascot. No offence to Big Orange, but I've waiting for a match between Order of St George and Vazirabad for a long time. With the new stayer prince Stradivarius set to challenge these 2 perennial kings of the staying division, we are going to be treated to a truly royal race.
Order of St George needs no introduction. He has been the best stayer running in Ireland and Britain for the past years. He was a rather unlucky loser to Big Orange in last year's race but his reputation is as big as Yeats, his Ballydoyle predecessor and winner of 4 Gold Cups. The son of Galileo is always formidable in any top race beyond a mile and a half. One thing that concerns me is his last race where the post-race comments had him winning cosily, yet it was only less than a length comfy. Connections seemed elated with the win but his win over Twilight Payment was not visually impressive although the rest of the field were 8 lengths adrift of the pair. There is ground to believe that Order of St George might have lost a step as he is now aged 6.
Vazirabad is the king of the staying division in France. As well as Dubai, since he's won their Gold Cup 3 times. It seems weird but it will be his first appearance in the Ascot Gold Cup. How he acts on the track will play a big part in his chances. This son of Manduro is blessed with stamina as well as a good turn of foot. I believe he has a massive chance if he adapts to this new environment and since he has been a good traveller to Dubai, there is every chance that he will be fine with the conditions on the day.
Stradivarius is the new staying champion in waiting. The only concern regarding this son of Sea The Stars is the distance but the way he has been progressing suggests that is within his compass. This is a winner of the Queen's Vase, Goodwood Cup and Yorkshire Cup. His last win in the latter was overly impressive and he will enter this race in peak form. The Gold Cup should be his within the next few years, and the big question is whether he is good enough to take the crown this year.
This is going to be a spectacular race and the winner should come from one of the three. Order of St George is a warm favourite but I believe he is vulnerable and at current prices, he should be taken on or laid. There should not be much between the other two and with push comes to shove, I give preference to Stradivarius because he has won at Ascot before and trainer John Gosden should have him primed for this.
Win: Stradivarius
Order of St George needs no introduction. He has been the best stayer running in Ireland and Britain for the past years. He was a rather unlucky loser to Big Orange in last year's race but his reputation is as big as Yeats, his Ballydoyle predecessor and winner of 4 Gold Cups. The son of Galileo is always formidable in any top race beyond a mile and a half. One thing that concerns me is his last race where the post-race comments had him winning cosily, yet it was only less than a length comfy. Connections seemed elated with the win but his win over Twilight Payment was not visually impressive although the rest of the field were 8 lengths adrift of the pair. There is ground to believe that Order of St George might have lost a step as he is now aged 6.
Vazirabad is the king of the staying division in France. As well as Dubai, since he's won their Gold Cup 3 times. It seems weird but it will be his first appearance in the Ascot Gold Cup. How he acts on the track will play a big part in his chances. This son of Manduro is blessed with stamina as well as a good turn of foot. I believe he has a massive chance if he adapts to this new environment and since he has been a good traveller to Dubai, there is every chance that he will be fine with the conditions on the day.
Stradivarius is the new staying champion in waiting. The only concern regarding this son of Sea The Stars is the distance but the way he has been progressing suggests that is within his compass. This is a winner of the Queen's Vase, Goodwood Cup and Yorkshire Cup. His last win in the latter was overly impressive and he will enter this race in peak form. The Gold Cup should be his within the next few years, and the big question is whether he is good enough to take the crown this year.
This is going to be a spectacular race and the winner should come from one of the three. Order of St George is a warm favourite but I believe he is vulnerable and at current prices, he should be taken on or laid. There should not be much between the other two and with push comes to shove, I give preference to Stradivarius because he has won at Ascot before and trainer John Gosden should have him primed for this.
Win: Stradivarius
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