Runner-By-Runner Guide: Ascot Gold Cup

1 - CROSS COUNTER (6) Charlie Appleby/James Doyle

2018 Melbourne Cup winner. Not disgraced under big weight in valuable Saudi Arabia handicap on reappearance in February. Sure to be in mix but Stradivarius had his measure last year.

The Melbourne Cup hero is now the Dubai Gold Cup hero as CROSS COUNTER holds off Ispolini to take the spoils for @godolphin #DubaiWorldCup

👏👏 pic.twitter.com/KTZ2woelpv

— Meydan Racing (@MeydanRacing) March 30, 2019

2 - MEKONG (4) Jamie Osbourne/Jim Crowley

Some 6 lengths behind Stradivarius here last autumn on final run for Sir Michael Stoute. In front of Cross Counter when second in Saudi Arabia in February but meets that rival on 7 lb worse terms now.

3 - PRINCE OF ARRAN (8) Charlie Fellowes/Andrea Atzeni

Tremendous globe-trotting star who won another good prize in Australia in October. Split Mekong and Cross Counter in Saudi Arabia in February. Also fine third to Nayef Road at Newcastle 12 days ago.

Australia bring the #MelbourneCup home! 🇦🇺

VOW AND DECLARE just gets up to deny Master of Reality and Frankie Dettori in the tightest of finishes!

Another huge run from Britain’s Prince of Arran to finish 3rd for the second successive running too! pic.twitter.com/Sxj25rnrfx

— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) November 5, 2019

4 - STRADIVARIUS (2) John Gosden/Frankie Dettori

Champion stayer who has won this race for the last 2 years. Good reappearance third in Coronation Cup dropped to 1½m at Newmarket 13 days ago. Clear on form now stepping back up in distance.

What a horse!

STRADIVARIUS wins back-to-back Ascot Gold Cups! 🏆

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/4VrQxuY5Tr

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) June 20, 2019

5 - WITHHOLD (7) Roger Charlton/Jason Watson

Has a few top-level staying handicaps to his name and also bagged listed prize at Newmarket last autumn. Disappointed in blinkers on Newcastle return and no surprise to see usual cheekpieces return.

6 - MOONLIGHT SPIRIT (3) Charlie Appleby/William Buick

Longchamp Group 3 winner over 15f last September and improved again when ¾-length second to Technician in Group 2 there final start. Will need to up his game to go close but unexposed at 2m+.

7 - NAYEF ROAD (1) Mark Johnston/Ryan Moore

Third (Moonlight Spirit fourth) in Queen's Vase at this meeting last year. Also good third in St Leger final start and duly proved suited by step up to 2m when winning Sagaro at Newcastle on return.

It’s a 1-2 for @Johnston_Racing in the rearranged Sagaro Stakes at @NewcastleRaces as last years St Leger 3rd NAYEF ROAD wins it from Mildenberger!pic.twitter.com/ylXSHJDse4

— Timeform (@Timeform) June 6, 2020

8 - TECHNICIAN (5) Martyn Meade/Oisin Murphy

Has very good record on going softer than good, accounting for Moonlight Spirit in Longchamp Group 2 last October before landing Group 1 Prix Royal Oak there on final start. Any rain in his favour.

Group 1 winner! Technician wins the Prix Royal-Oak for @PCBOUDOT and @MMeadeRacing at @paris_longchamp! pic.twitter.com/A0uTSsVkZK

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 27, 2019

Timeform Analyst's Verdict

It's hard to see past STRADIVARIUS as he bids to become only the third three-time winner of this race. His reappearance run at Newmarket over a much shorter trip suggests he retains all his ability and he can confirm last year's superiority over Cross Counter. Nayef Road could have more to come at this trip and may prove best of the rest.

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