Rain a worry as outstanding champion Stradivarius bids for Gold follow-up

Gold Cup (Group 1) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

As we look forward to the traditional highlight of this most royal occasion, there is a danger that the crown may change hands.

That will be the fear as Stradivarius's supporters ponder his bid to land a second Gold Cup.

Backing history to repeat itself had mixed results on Tuesday. Blue Point landed a second King’s Stand Stakes but Accidental Agent refused to race in the Queen Anne.

And no horse has won two Gold Cups since Yeats took four in a row a decade ago, with stayers of the calibre of Order Of St George, Fame And Glory and Colour Vision trying and failing in the interim.

Yet no horse has looked a more likely multiple winner of this championship event than Stradivarius.

He possesses not only the class to score in the best of company but also the resolution and physical robustness to do it again and again, as he showed by peaking four times to land the inaugural Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million last year.

And he looked as good ever when setting off in pursuit of another seven-figure payout by landing the Yorkshire Cup last month, defying a 3lb penalty in typically game style.

But this week's weather has been a worry for trainer John Gosden, who said: "He's been in very good form at home since York but the recent rain is a concern as he's a top-of-the-ground horse.

"He won on the soft there last October but that was a messy race when they put Frankie in a box that he somehow got out of.

"That race was run in a time 15 seconds slower than average over two miles so hopefully the ground will dry up a bit."

ProWon this race last year and made it six victories in a row when defying a penalty in the Yorkshire Cup

ConLooks to face a stronger, deeper field 12 months on and does not have his ideal ground

Much is Ex-pected from Bee

Mark Johnston prizes the Gold Cup above any other race at Royal Ascot and he has high hopes of winning it again with Dee Ex Bee.

The trainer has long seen last year's Derby second and St Leger fourth as an obvious horse for the race and he should know, having triumphed with Double Trigger and Royal Rebel (twice).

And his first runner in the 2m4f test since 2014 has done everything right this season, scoring a ready victory in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot then making all in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

"We've run in the two trials and he's won them both," Johnston said. "What more could he do? I can't be anything other than happy with his preparation.

"People keep saying about the rain but we assume it inconveniences others more than him. At a mile and a half cut in the ground was better for him – whether that was because he liked the cut or because it played to his stamina we don't know.

"It's another half-mile so this is new territory, which we think will be better for him. This is what I've always dreamed of, you buy a horse for the Derby and you win the Gold Cup. I didn't buy this horse but it's the same principle."

It looks a particularly hot running but Johnston said: "It's wonderful to see the Gold Cup at such a level. There is still no race I'd rather win at this meeting than the Gold Cup. It's the number one Royal Ascot race and it would be a shame if it was easy."

ProProgressing well as a stayer and has won two traditional trials
ConYet to race over 2m4f and has never won a Group 1 race

Cross-continental bid for the Cup

Cross Counter has come an awful long way in the last 12 months, literally and metaphorically.

This time last year he was a dual all-weather winner, poised to hint at a bright future by finishing fourth in the King George V Handicap here on just his fourth outing.

Since then the improving Godolphin colt has travelled the world. And he has conquered it too.

After showing progressively smart form in his home country, he went on to score a historic first British victory in the Melbourne Cup in Australia.

And he looked to have stepped up again when comfortably landing the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March.

That success made him eligible for the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million and he has been aimed at the Gold Cup ever since.

"The step up to two and a half miles is going to be the question mark with Cross Counter but we feel that he has shown us all the right signs this trip is going to suit," said trainer Charlie Appleby. "And he is a class horse.

"This has been the target since he won the Dubai Gold Cup and we would like to see whether he can become a proper European Cup horse.

"It looks a strong renewal – it's the premier staying contest of the entire calendar – but we're confident Cross Counter can be competitive."

Cross Counter edges stablemate Ispolini to win the Dubai Gold Cup for Charlie ApplebyCredit: Edward Whitaker

ProProgressive stayer who is proven on three continents
ConNot certain to stay 2m4f

What they say

Pia Brandt, trainer of Called To The Bar
He's in really good form and all the signs are good ahead of his run. He's in at least as good shape as he was before Longchamp, if not better. He's progressing all the time and it's important for these stayers that they have good minds, which he does. In terms of the trip, we're all in the same boat of not knowing apart from Stradivarius.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Capri, Cypress Creek and Flag Of Honour
Flag Of Honour has been in very good form this season but obviously over shorter trips. He got the St Leger trip very well when winning at the Curragh in the autumn but we won't know if he stays the Gold Cup trip until he tries it. We think he will but you can't be sure until you try it and go beyond two miles. He's in good form and we're very happy with him. We always thought this trip would suit Capri and he has come forward nicely since his run at Leopardstown. We're happy with him now. Cypress Creek's best run last season was over two miles so hopefully he'll get the trip.

Ian Williams, trainer of Magic Circle
Stradivarius and the gang will make it tough but Magic Circle is a hell of a horse. He'll be staying on at the end and I'm sure he'll run a huge race.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Thomas Hobson
I'd imagine if he finished in the first five or six that would be a tremendous run. I know he ran very well against Stradivarius at the end of last season and got very close to him, but that was at the end of a long, hard season for Stradivarius and I would give him the benefit of the doubt. He probably should be running in the Queen Alexandra on Saturday but we've got Max Dynamite for that.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Master Of Reality
He won the Vintage Crop at Navan earlier on in the season and that's often a good trial for this. This trip should suit and he seems in good shape at home. I'm very happy with him.

Tim Palin, racing manager for Middleham Park Racing, owners of Raymond Tusk
We've freshened him up since the John Porter and he's in great shape. He was giving 5lb to Dee Ex Bee in the Sagaro so in weights and measures he shouldn't be too far away from him. The two and a half miles is an absolute unknown but to date he's improved every time he's stepped up in trip.

Spotlight verdict

This renewal is well up to scratch, with all 11 Group winners and four of them successful at Group 1 level. Ready preference is for Stradivarius, who has put together a great CV and sets a very high standard for the up-and-coming 4yos to surpass. Most crucially of all, last year's win in this race proved his stamina, while last month's very good reappearance win at York raised the strong possibility that he is even better as a 5yo this season. Cross Counter is a class act who will be a tough opponent if he stays but he hasn't looked to be crying out for the step up to an extreme trip and his pedigree, overall, raises some doubts. Flag Of Honour may be a bigger danger to Stradivarius and can claim second ahead of Dee Ex Bee, who promises to be suited by this trip and can take minor honours.

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