Royal Ascot 2021: the runners, the odds, the verdict for the Gold Cup

For the third day of Royal Ascot, it's all about the stayers, and the Gold Cup (4.15) has witnessed some superb performances, including from Stradivarius, who is bidding to match the great Yeats with four consecutive victories.

4.15 Royal Ascot Thursday: Gold Cup racecard and betting

1 Nayef Road

Second to Stradivarius last term in this and at Goodwood; ran poorly on latest two outings

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Odds: 66-1

2 Rip Van Lips

Strode out very well to assert in 2m German Group 2 last time and may well improve further

Trainer: Andrea Suborics
Jockey: James Doyle
Odds: 66-1

3 Spanish Mission

Won the 2m2f Doncaster Cup last term; Yorkshire Cup win showed he has improved again

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: William Carver
Odds: 13-2

4 Stradivarius

Career best last year when winning this race for the third time; won reappearance here

Trainer: John and Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Odds: 4-5 favourite

5 Trueshan

Non-runner

6 Twilight Payment

What he's done over 2m, including 2020 Melbourne Cup win, makes this sort of trip appealing

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Odds: 16-1

7 Amhran Na Bhfiann

66-1 third in the Derby last year; still just six starts but he has lots to find and prove

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Odds: 50-1

8 Ben Lilly

His form is in handicaps, appearing to make this challenge way beyond him

Trainer: David Brown
Jockey: Graham Lee
Odds: 150-1

9 Emperor Of The Sun

Shapes as if he will be suited by at least 2m; a leap forward will be needed though

Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien
Jockey: Gavin Ryan
Odds: 16-1

10 Santiago

Even on the 2020 evidence, he needs to show something new; from top team

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Seamie Heffernan
Odds: 16-1

11 Serpentine

The 2020 Derby winner undoubtedly adds major spice but he has a lot to prove

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Odds: 12-1

12 Subjectivist

Finished firmly in charge in his two greatest stamina tests, galloping on strongly; player

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Joe Fanning
Odds: 11-2

13 Princess Zoe

Relishes soft/heavy, as well as long trip; she also needs to resume improvement

Trainer: Tony Mullins
Jockey: Joey Sheridan
Odds: 33-1

Verdict

It may prove better to cheer than to back Stradivarius at short odds. An appealing each-way alternative is Twilight Payment (nap).

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Read more on Royal Ascot 2021:

Royal Ascot tips: Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and Tom Collins share their best bets

The six jockeys and trainers who could enjoy a Royal Ascot breakthrough

Confirmed runners and riders for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

Check out the Racing Post Royal Ascot microsite for the latest tips and odds for the royal meeting. The best Royal Ascot betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.