3 minute read

The retirement of Kyprios – undoubtedly one of the great long-distance racehorses of modern times – has altered the dynamics of the European staying division – and there must be a live chance that it will allow William Buick’s mount Trawlerman to land Thursday’s (19 June) G1 Ascot Gold Cup (3991m).

The battle between Kyprios and Trawlerman  up the Ascot straight in this historic Group 1 had the Gold Cup crowd in awe of the courage of both horses last year, with Trawlerman failing by just a length after leading throughout.

Trawlerman who, back in October of 2023, had beaten Kyprios in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup (3190m), after another epic Ascot stretch battle, arrives here off a different preparation than last year. As his co-trainer Thady Gosden explains: "Last year we gave him a full break from Dubai (third in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, 3200m) but this time we thought a prep would suit him well."

The 'prep' referred to resulted in the seven-year-old's eighth career victory – by an easy five lengths over Coltrane who is one of Thursday's seven declared rivals to Trawlerman – in last month's G3 Henry II Stakes (3245m) at Sandown.

Trawlerman's stablemate Sweet William, third last year, is no forlorn hope either especially as the record of Rob Havlin's mount indicates that he is not in the habit of letting his supporters down, though he does tend to prefer softer ground.

If Trawlerman or Sweet William do not poach the crown off Kyprios, then that void could be filled by his esteemed and consistent stablemate Illinois. Ryan Moore's mount is yet to finish out of the first three in ten starts but has never been tested further than the 3000m last October that saw him dominate ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Chaudenay (3000m).

Trainer Aidan O'Brien says: "You never know for sure whether they will stay the Gold Cup trip until you try it. Once you go beyond two miles you're entering unknown territory. But we always thought he would stay and we've been delighted with him at home over the last few weeks."

Then there is Mickael Barzalona's mount Candelari. He cannot boast the hard-bitten profile of the usual Gold Cup winner, only having started his career last December, and is also looking to become only the first French-trained winner since Westerner in 2005. But he does come from the hugely in-form Chantilly stable of Francis-Henri Graffard and he was mighty impressive when accelerating clear of eight rivals to win last month's G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3100m) on slow ground at ParisLongchamp.

Graffard says: "He really wants the good fast ground we will get at Ascot." But like Illinois Candelari - who runs in the famous green and red silks of the late Aga Khan - now just needs to prove himself at this famously stamina-sapping trip.