Royal Ascot: Kyprios can deny Stradivarius fourth Gold Cup triumph

The hot, dry weather at Royal Ascot this week has been ideal for Stradivarius ahead of his latest attempt to win a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup, not least because fast ground seems likely to rule out Trueshan, one of his most significant rivals.

John Gosden’s popular stayer came up short against a younger rival last year, however, and may do so again on Thursday, when Kyprios (4.20) looks likely to give Aidan O’Brien his eighth success in the meeting’s showpiece event.

The four-year-old has just six races in the book so far, having missed the rest of the 2021 season after being withdrawn after an incident in the stalls before the Queen’s Vase here last year.

But he has started to make up for lost time this year and powered 14 lengths clear of his field under minimal pressure in the Levmoss Stakes last month. With more improvement likely, he looks ready to take this step up to Group One company in his stride.

Royal Ascot 2.30 Pillow Talk,the only filly in the lineup, beat a field full of previous winners at York last time and gets a useful 3lb from her 10 opponents.

Royal Ascot 3.05 Several of these lightly-raced three-year-olds might have been let in lightly for their handicap debuts while Israr has already contested a couple, but he was still learning on the job at Newbury last time and has plenty of improvement to come.

Royal Ascot 3.40 Just six runners for the Ribblesdale, the smallest field this century. Magical Lagoon was touched off by the subsequent Irish 1,000 Guineas third at Navan in April and looks sure to improve for the step up in trip.

Royal Ascot 5.00 As tough a race as they come, even at the Royal meeting, with 13 last-time winners in the field. Just one of the last 15 favourites has won, so a