Ascot Gold Cup runners and riders, jockey colours & start time

*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

Stradivarius goes for a record-equalling fourth Ascot Gold Cup this afternoon – and here’s everything you need to know about today’s big race at Royal Ascot 2022.

A field of nine horses are set to go to post at 4.20pm after Trueshan was declared a non-runner on Thursday morning on account of the going. Alan King’s superstar stayer likes a bit of juice in the ground but a heatwave in England has contributed to the ground being described as Good to Firm.

WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!

NEW TO US? CLICK HERE FOR OUR £/€20 SIGN-UP OFFER

Stradivarius won the Ascot Gold Cup in successive years between 2018 and 2020 but could only finish fourth in last year’s renewal behind Subjectivist. The official ratings suggest he is not quite the force of old and no horse has regained the crown since Kayf Tara in 2000.

Ballydoyle runner Kyprios is the emerging star in the staying division and heads Paddy Power’s betting after routing his rivals in last month’s Group 3 Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown, although this contest represents another step up in trip.

Princess Zoe is back for another crack after placing second in last year’s renewal. The 2020 Prix du Cadran winner warmed up for this by winning the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on Good to Firm ground.

We’ll also get the chance to see Mojo Star on his seasonal reappearance as last year’s Epsom Derby and St Leger runner-up tackles a distance further than 1m6½f for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, 2020 Triumph Hurdle winner Burning Victory switches back to the Flat for the first time since placing second behind Buzz in last year’s Cesarewitch over 2m2f at Newmarket.

The Ascot Gold Cup boasts the prestige but it’s not the most lucrative of the 35 races on the schedule at Royal Ascot 2022. Still, the winner will still scoop a tidy £283,550 for connections, which isn’t too shabby.

You’ll find details of the runners and riders plus the all-important jockey colours below.