Group One Gold Cup Guide 2023

Aidan O’Brien sends two to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in the form of Emily Dickinson and Broome.

The latter arrives here in decent form having won the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup ahead of Siskany and fellow runner Subjectivist as well as finishing third in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York last month, behind Eldar Eldarov and Giavellotto. They were his best efforts for a while after he experienced an inconsistent 2022.

This will be his first run over two miles, but he possesses the ability to go well and he shouldn’t be ruled out here. Wayne Lordan is booked to ride with Ryan Moore on Emily Dickinson.

Andrew Balding sends two to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with current market favourite Coltrane and market outsider Nate The Great.

The latter won on his final start of 2022, winning the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket by just over a length in the hands of William Buick.

His first two starts of 2023 have seen him finishing fifth of six in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes and second in a group three at Sandown last month and moves back up in trip now, although his record over marathon trips isn’t great (fourth and 11th above 2m 4f).

Probably asking too much of him in this company here. Harry Davies will do the steering.

Alan King sends one runner to the Royal Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday with Trueshan.

The seven-year-old has been one of the leading stayers over the last few years but has not been at his best this term as of yet, finishing second on seasonal reappearance in Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham when 4/9 fav and he could only manage fourth in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes won by Coltrane at Ascot at the beginning of last month.

The gelding does boast some top wins in his career and despite not being at his best this term, it would be silly to rule him out on a couple of below-par performances. Hollie Doyle does the steering once again.

Leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins sends one runner to the Gold Cup in the form of Echoes In Rain. The seven-year-old makes a return to flat racing here after winning the Irish Mares Champion Hurdle over 2m 3f at Punchestown almost two months ago.

We last saw her finish second of 30 in a Curragh premier handicap as well as winning at Galway last July, but this is a much tougher test for her back on the flat after another stint in her career over hurdles.

She’s not completely ruled out here and would be fine over the trip, but others probably make more appeal. Tom Marquand is booked to ride.

Charlie Johnston sends one runner to this contest at Royal Ascot in the form of his six-year-old Subjectivist.

The gelding missed all of last season with injury but enjoyed two wins from two in 2021, winning the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup and this event in June 2021, five lengths ahead of Princess Zoe.

He returned this term to finish third in the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup behind Siskany and Broome so must be respected back on English soil here.

The 117-rated gelding needs to step up again on just his second run since 2021 but cannot be ruled out as he’s usually a solid performer. Joe Fanning will do the steering.

Adam Nicol sends one runner to this Royal Ascot race on Thursday with his six-year-old Wise Eagle.

The gelding has been fairly raced since his debut in 2020, and has been in good form in the latter stages of 2022 and the early stages of this term as well, winning four times since August last year.

Those wins have come at Musselburgh (C4), Redcar (C4), Pontefract (C2) and Musselburgh again in April (C2).

He chased home Coltrane in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month but hoping for a place here is probably the best he can hope for.

Daniel Tudhope is the jockey booked.

Christophe Ferland boasts one runner in this year’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday in the form of Big Call.

The six-year-old has won a couple of group three events in France in the last year, both at ParisLongchamp over 1m 7f with one of those coming this term.

He also recorded a third-place finish in the Group Two Prix Vicomtesse Vigier Stakes at the same course last month when priced as 2/1fav and has his first go at a marathon trip here on his UK debut.

Boasts some decent form for Ferland in France but this is much harder, but he’s not completely discounted. Stephane Pasquier will do the steering.

Ralph Beckett sends one of his horses to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in the form of Lone Eagle.

The 109-rated runner is winless since winning the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood in May 2021 for Martyn Meade but has progressed a little on his first two outings for Beckett this year, finishing fifth in the Group Three Surprise Stakes at Newbury in April before a runner-up finish in the Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester last month, behind 7/4 shot Hamish.

Despite that better effort last month, this is a tough test for him over an untried trip and in group one company. Rossa Ryan will do the steering.

Charlie Appleby sends one horse to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday with Yibir.

The five-year-old has enjoyed a good run on the flat since winning three times in a row in the latter stages of 2021, placing at Meydan (G1 Dubai Sheema Classic), Newmarket (G2 Jockey Club Stakes) and Belmont Park (G1 Man o’War Stakes) and winning the Group Two Close Brothers Stakes at Newmarket, all in 2022.

He returned this term to finish fourth in the Group Three Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury last month but wasn’t too far away from winner Haskoy.This is a stiffer test, stepping up in trip almost a mile but he’s respected.

William Buick is booked to ride.

Andrew Balding sends two runners to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on Thursday with Nate The Great and current market favourite Coltrane.

The latter progressed well in 2022, winning the Listed Coral Marathon at Sandown in July, and also the Group Two Doncaster Cup Stakes by a neck to 2/9 fav Trueshan.

The gelding then finished a head behind the same runner in the Group Two Long Distance Cup to finish off last campaign before returning this term to win the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month.

The six-year-old is a leading player here on the back of that form and a bold run is expected. Oisin Murphy is booked to ride.

Brian Ellison sends one to this Royal Ascot event on Thursday with Tashkan.

The five-year-old is winless since 2021 boasts a couple of good runs since, finishing third in the Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York won by Stradivarius in May last year, third in the Group One Prix du Cadran won by Kyprios at ParisLongchamp and third in the Listed Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham a couple of months ago, won by Rajinsky (Trueshan in second).

Not likely to win this contest but might be worth an each-way bet at a big price in the hands of James Doyle.

Aidan O’Brien boasts two in this year’s Royal Ascot 2m 3f Gold Cup with Broome and Emily Dickinson.

The latter has been in scattered form since the start of 2022, winning a couple of competitive races at Curragh (G3) and the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan before finishing sixth on her latest appearance at Leopardstown last month in the Group Three Levmoss Stakes when 2/5 fav.

Perhaps not in the best of form compared to some here but it would be silly to rule her out, especially as she’s with a top trainer. Ryan Moore is booked to ride here.

Roger Varian sends one runner to this Royal Ascot contest in the form of Eldar Eldarov. The four-year-old has shown promise in his early career so far, winning four times including the Group Two Queen’s Vase here last year and the Group One St Leger Stakes at Doncaster last September.

The Dubawi colt returned this term to finish second to Giavellotto in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup Stakes at York last month and it feels like he may suit a longer trip, with this contest being 2m 3f.

The 118-rated colt is one of those who should be in the mix for victory, and it would be surprising if he isn’t there at the end. David Egan will do the steering.

John and Thady Gosden send one runner to the Royal Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday in the form of Courage Mon Ami.

The four-year-old arrives in this contest in super form, having won all three of his career starts so far at Kempton (C4), Newcastle (C5) and career-best class two Goodwood handicap last time out over 1m 6f last month, winning by over two lengths.

The Gosden’s think this son of Frankel is now worth a shot in group one company here following his impressive first outings.

This will be the 106-rated gelding’s most difficult test yet and it will be fascinating to see how he tackles not only a step up in class but a step up in trip too. Definitely one to keep an eye on. Frankie Dettori is booked to ride.