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.
