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16:20 Royal Ascot

Thursday 21 June 2018

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 21.08s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Max Dynamite³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: W P Mullins| OR: 111

20/1

Useful dual purpose performer, won a Group 2 at York in 2015 and has run two huge races in the Melbourne Cup, most recently in 2017's renewal. Struggles up at this elite level though and hard to see how he can improve enough to trouble these rivals.

Form: 30/136-4

(7)

Order Of St George²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 123| CD

7/4

Very rarely runs below par and has won three Group 1 races in his time including 2016's renewal of this. Unlucky not to win last year's renewal and he's returned with two typically dominant performances in lower grades this season. Hard to beat.

Form: 1141-11

(1)

Scotland^h⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: A M Balding| OR: 103

50/1

Not won since 2013 and has suffered an interupted career in recent seasons. Very little promise in his return here last month and no obvious signs he's capable of mixing it at this level.

Form: 54620/6

(4)

Sheikhzayedroad^h²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 113| C

33/1

Three-time Group 2 winner and latest of those came at this course in 2016. Has won some fine races in defeat in that time including two placed efforts in the Dubai Gold Cup and while he was well beaten last time, he's not without each-way claims.

Form: 437-328

(9)

Torcedor^p⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 115| C

14/1

Gained a second Group 3 success here last time when a convincing winner of the Segaro Stakes. Beat Order Of St George in a Group 3 at Navan last year but that rival went on to reverse the form and he looks vulnerable from a win perspective.

Form: 1522-01

(5)

Vazirabad²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: C Soumillon| T: A De Royer Dupre| OR: 117| D

9/2

Three-time Dubai Gold Cup winner and has won three Group 1 races in France in his time. Arrives here on a roll after another Group 2 win last time out and shouldn't be underestimated on his UK debut.

Form: 112-211

(2)

Desert Skyline^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 112

11/1

Won the Group 2 Doncaster Cup last season and the way he won that day gives him hope he will stay this trip. Has struggled behind a couple of these in two starts this year and likely he will need to improve for the greater stamina test here.

Form: 3219-32

(3)

Mount Moriah²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 111| C

33/1

Won a Listed race at Nottingham but has generally struggled up at this level and finished fourth behind Order Of St George here on Champions Day last year. This is tougher and he was well beaten at Sandown last time. Others preferred.

Form: 3354-15

(6)

Stradivarius³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| C

7/4

2017 Goodwood Cup winner who ran with credit in the St Leger, perhaps committing for home too soon. Third behind Order Of St George on Champions' Day but will improve this year and his performance in the Yorkshire Cup on return suggested as much.

Form: 21133-1

Forecasts

Stradivarius (7/4), Order Of St George (7/4), Vazirabad (9/2), Desert Skyline (11/1), Torcedor (14/1), Max Dynamite (20/1), Sheikhzayedroad (33/1), Mount Moriah (33/1), Scotland (50/1)

Stradivarius was impressive when winning the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup on return to action and there's every chance we haven't seen the best of him yet, but ORDER OF ST GEORGE is likely to prove very hard to beat. Aidan O'Brien's charge was only narrowly touched off in this race last year and he was impressive when landing 2016's renewal. Vazirabad isn't one to rule out on his first start in the UK and his performance in the Dubai Gold Cup in March suggest he's as good as ever. If any at the front of the market fail to give their running, Sheikhzayedroad will be doing all his best work in the finish and shouldn't be ruled out for a place.