Last year's Gold Cup second Princess Zoe takes on promising stayers in Sagaro

Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) | 4yo+ | 2m | Sky

The Longines Sagaro Stakes has the words 'A Gold Cup Trial' in brackets as a suffix and last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Princess Zoe adds a dash of stardust to this historic Group 3 race.

She is bidding to become the first horse since Estimate, who was also a mare, in 2013 to win this event and then go on to land the Gold Cup. The sex allowance will definitely help Princess Zoe, but ground conditions might not be ideal.

Her sire Jukebox Jury’s progeny often prefer testing conditions and Princess Zoe has shown most of her best form with juice in the ground. Last year’s Gold Cup is the exception on her record because it was good to firm and she looked to handle it well enough.

Horses often get pigeonholed with regards to ground and Princess Zoe might be another victim. She gets her chance to prove her versatility on the drying conditions here.

Aidan O’Brien has never had a runner in the Sagaro and Wordsworth bids to give him his first success in the race. A win for him would definitely be a pointer towards the Gold Cup, which O’Brien has dominated with sons of the great Galileo.

Trueshan is the outstanding stayer in Britain and Ireland and Tashkhan brings in form that ties in with him. He was second to Trueshan over this course and distance last season.

That came in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day, but Tashkhan appeared to have been flattered. He was well placed to challenge in comparison to the market principals.

Quickthorn brings in more recent Trueshan form. He was second to the champion stayer at Nottingham three weeks ago, but was receiving 7lb and was 8lb below his best on RPRs.

He is a potential improver and the same can be said for Enemy, who bolted up in handicap company at Musselburgh last time recording an RPR of 110. However, that rating wouldn’t have been high enough to have won any of the last ten runnings of this race, so improvement will be needed.

Nayef Road completes a classy seven-runner line-up.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Princess Zoe back on the Gold Cup trail

Princess Zoe may be closing in on national treasure status in Ireland as she won the 2020 Prix du Cadran and finished runner-up to Subjectivist in last season's Gold Cup at Ascot.

It is with that objective in mind trainer Tony Mullins has opted for the Sagaro. Princess Zoe faded to finish ninth when attempting to concede weight to Japanese star Stay Foolish in the Group 3 staying handicap on the Saudi Cup undercard.

Princess Zoe (far side) matching strides with Stradivarius during last season's Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mullins said: "She's travelled over well. We didn't want to run her on what I would have termed good to firm ground at Navan last time because of the nature of the track in terms of having to run downhill at a point, but I don't think that will be an issue at Ascot.

"She needs to have a run before the Gold Cup at Ascot – we have been training her solely with that race in mind. There are some talented horses in the line-up but I'm delighted with the field and that we don't have to take on Trueshan.

"The longer we can go without meeting him the better, but we'll be ready for him when we do!"

What they say

Ian Williams, trainer of Enemy
We're stepping him up another two furlongs in trip which doesn't look like it will pose a problem but obviously it's a huge rise in company. It will be very interesting to see how he acquits himself. It's very good company and he has to prove both ability and stamina, but it's a nice race to try and prove those things in.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Quickthorn
It's a fact-finding run to see how he copes with quick ground at this level. You can write off his final two runs at the end of last year because he was suffering from ulcers and I'm sure he's better than that. He ran well the other day at Nottingham.

Tashkhan and Ben Robinson (right of picture, striped sleeves and cap) chasing home Trueshan in the Long Distance Cup at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Brian Ellison, trainer of Tashkhan
He's done very well, he's thickened out a bit and he looks a million dollars. It's his first run back and while we're expecting him to run well, he'll improve a lot for the race. I just hope the ground will be okay as he is better with a bit of give. They've been putting plenty of water on so hopefully it will be alright.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Wordsworth
He seems in good form after winning on his first start back at Gowran. Everything has gone well since then and we think the run would have brought him on. We always thought he would stay this type of trip.
Reporting by Scott Burton and Mark Boylan

Read more Wednesday previews:

3.35 Ascot: Last year's Gold Cup second Princess Zoe takes on promising stayers in Sagaro

4.10 Ascot: Go Bears Go bids to build on superb juvenile season in Commonwealth Cup

5.20 Punchestown: The Nice Guy puts unbeaten record on the line as Albert Bartlett 1-2-3 clash

5.55 Punchestown: unmissable insight from connections on a 'red-hot' Punchestown Gold Cup

6.30 Punchestown: Cheltenham hero Facile Vega renews rivalry with American Mike

7.05 Punchestown: 'A revelation over fences' - Ciel De Neige in frame to hand Mullins a winner

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