*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Subjectivist faces 11 rivals in his bid to regain the Gold Cup on the third day of Royal Ascot 2023.
The winner of the 2021 renewal returned to the track at the start of the season after missing last year due to injury. Coltrane, the hero of last year’s Ascot Stakes over course and distance, is the leading runner in the field after a winning start to the season in the Sagaro Stakes.
St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov is also prominent in the market, Emily Dickinson spearheads the Irish charge, while Courage Mon Ami boasts a perfect record with Frankie Dettori onboard.
The latest Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
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Gold Cup tips
Timeform: ELDAR ELDAROV relished the emphasis on stamina when winning the St Leger last season and again did his best work at the finish when a close second in the Yorkshire Cup last time. Still with fewer miles on the clock than most in this field, he’s taken to gain a second Royal Ascot success at the chief expense of the much-improved Coltrane, who has to be viewed positively after a tidy success in the Sagaro. 2021 winner Subjectivist and relatively unexposed Emily Dickinson complete the shortlist.
Gold Cup runners
Big Call
Trainer: Christophe Ferland Jockey: Stephane Pasquier Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 13
Dual Group 3 winner in France, making a winning return to European action in the Prix de Barbeville (15,4f) in April. Took strong hold when only third in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp (15.4f, good) 24 days ago and he’ll likely need to improve for the longer trip to land a blow.
***
Broome
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 7 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 14
Resumed winning ways in 15-runner Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m) in March and wasn’t disgraced when 1½ lengths third of 6 in Yorkshire Cup at York (13.8f, good to firm, 9/4) 34 days ago. First try beyond 2m but he certainly has the ability to go close.
***
Coltrane
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 12
Progressive last season, winning Ascot Stakes at this meeting before adding a Sandown listed event and the Group 2 Doncaster Cup to his tally. Even better form when readily winning Sagaro Stakes here (16f, good) 50 days ago by 4¾ lengths from Wise Eagle and he’s a leading player.
****
Lone Eagle
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 2
Irish Derby runner-up in 2021 for Martyn Meade and shaped with some encouragement when second in the Ormonde Stakes (13.4f, heavy) last month. This rates as a difficult ask though for one untested over staying trips.
**
Nate The Great
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Harry Davies Age: 7 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 4
Newmarket listed winner on his final start last season and ran up to his best when a close second in Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown (16.2f, good) 28 days ago. Flying too high in this grade, however.
*
Subjectivist
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 11
Top-class performer in 2021, successful in Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan before following up with a decisive success in this race. Missed all of last season with injury but shaped as if retaining all ability in Dubai in March and he can’t be ruled out.
****
Tashkhan
Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Non Runner Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 1
Non Runner
Trueshan
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Non Runner Age: 7 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 8
Non Runner
Wise Eagle
Trainer: Adam Nicol Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 6 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 5
Most progressive sort, winning 5 times in 2021 before adding another 4 victories to his tally in 2022. Picked up where he left off at Musselburgh on return before chasing Coltrane home in the Sagaro here last time. Hard to see him turning the tables.
**
Yibir
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 6
High-class performer who signed off for 2022 with victory in the Group 2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket. Looked rusty when only fourth of 7 to Haskoy in Aston Park Stakes (9/4) at Newbury (12f, good to firm) 33 days ago. Has stamina to prove but few in this possess his class.
***
Courage Mon Ami
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 9
Highly promising son of Frankel who is 3-3, looking a smart prospect when easily landing 12f minor events at Kempton and Newcastle in the autumn. Maintained unbeaten record in 8-runner handicap (6/4) at Goodwood (14f, good to firm) 26 days ago, Fascinating contender up in grade.
***
Eldar Eldarov
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 10
Queen’s Vase winner at this meeting last year before landing the St Leger at Doncaster. Ran well when a close second in the Yorkshire Cup on his return, not the first time looking as if he’d appreciate a marathon trip, and this classy stayer ranks high on the shortlist.
*****
Echoes In Rain
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 7 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 7
Talented performer on the Flat and over hurdles, winning a Galway handicap last summer before a fine second in the Irish Cesarewitch. Won Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on most recent outing but this is by far the toughest task she’s faced on the level.
**
Emily Dickinson
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 4 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 3
Looked a stayer going places when winning Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh late last season and resumed progress when winning the listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on return. Disappointing on quicker ground last time, but that may well prove a blip and she’s respected.
****
Today’s Royal Ascot Tips
- Gold Cup tips and runner-by-runner guide to Ascot 4.20 on Thursday
- Horse Racing Tips: Paddy Power’s epic Royal Ascot Cheat Sheet for Day 3
- Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s best bets for Royal Ascot on Thursday
- Royal Ascot Tips: Rory Delargy’s best bets including an 8/1 Gold Cup shout
- Royal Ascot Tips: Ruby Walsh’s 7 slick picks on Gold Cup day
- Horse Racing Tips: Jason Weaver’s slick picks for Day 3 at Royal Ascot
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