KYPRIOS can deny Stradivarius a record-equalling fourth success and win the Ascot Gold Cup (British Champions Series) on the third day of Royal Ascot 2022.
Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old can land the Group One feature in Berkshire and stop triple Gold star Stradivarius from joining Yeats – another former Ballydoyle inmate – on four successes.
John and Thady Gosden’s staying star missed out on a fourth win last season as Subjectivist landed the Gold Cup and although the eight-year-old returned to action with victory in the Group Two Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup at York last month, he remains vulnerable again to an up-and-coming rival.
That could be Kyprios, who has impressed stepped up to 1m6f in his two starts this season.
The Galileo colt had been lightly-raced at two and three, having just four outings. But he comfortably beat Search For A Song in the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan in April on his seasonal return.
He stepped up again, winning the Group Three Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown in good style last month.
That race was used as a stepping stone by the great Yeats during his golden period from 2006 to 2009. Although Kyprios has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as one of his predecessors, O’Brien – who also won the Gold Cup with similar four-year-olds Fame And Glory (2011) and Order of St George (2016) – clearly knows how to step younger horses up in trip with success.
Clearly Kyprios needs to prove he can stay this marathon 2m4f and also mix it at the top level with some battle-hardened stayers. But everything suggests he should improve again and he can come out on top.
O’Brien may start Gold Cup day with a winner with THE ANTARCTIC in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm).
The Dark Angel filly can make it three wins from three starts, having impressed in victories at Tipperary and Naas. She is very speedy and may leave them trailing in her wake.
A chance is taken on another O’Brien runner, HISTORY, in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies) (3.40pm).
The Galileo filly won a Group Three contest over a mile on her return at Leopardstown before finishing seventh, well-beaten by Homeless Songs, in the Tattersalls 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
She looks open to plenty of improvement and this step up to middle distances should see that happen.
Sir Michael Stoute’s BALHAMBAR can win the King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (3.05pm). The three-year-old won a maiden at Chepstow last time and can come out on top against chiefly Godolphin’s Secret State and the Gosden’s London Gold Cup winner Israr.
WHOPUTFIFTYINYOU can follow up his recent smart Haydock Park success to win the Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Colts & Geldings) (5pm).
Clive Cox’s unbeaten three-year-old landed a fourth victory in the Silver Bowl on Merseyside last month despite stumbling early on. He beat the talented Mighty Ulysses by half-a-length and looks a potential top miler.
Hugo Palmer’s Mr McCann – who is owned by the AJT Group made up of several of Liverpool FC’s British players – drops back down into handicap company and trip after his fifth in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester's May Festival and his fourth in a Group Two in Germany. He looks to have a decent each-way chance against the selection.
There could be a winner for The Queen in Platinum Jubilee year with the Gosdens-trained REACH FOR THE MOON looking the class act in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes (5.35pm).
The three-year-old son of Sea The Stars had been a potential Classic contender, but having taken a little longer than expected to come to hand he was second in the Heron Stakes at Sandown last month.
Connections are taking their time with him, but he can land this Group Three before potentially moving into the top middle distance contests later in the season, maybe at Glorious Goodwood.
Jamie Osbourne’s course and distance winner and third reserve Cliffs Of Capri didn't make the cut but stable-mate OUZO may be able to win a wide-open finale, the Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) (6.10pm) ahead of Godolphin's Path Of Thunder and the Clive Cox-trained River Nymph.
Wright Ones
ROYAL ASCOT (Day Three)
2.30pm The Antarctic
3.05pm Balhambar
3.40pm History
4.20pm Kyprios
5pm Whoputfiftyinyou
5.35pm Reach For The Moon
6.10pm Ouzo (NAP)
