Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

Expert Column for Gold Cup Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)

S1-1 Norfolk Stakes


This year’s G2 1,000m Norfolk Stakes has an open look to it. The market is likely to be headed by Wesley Ward’s unbeaten filly SHANG SHANG SHANG, who seeks to back up her impressive debut win at Keeneland in April over 900m. Ward has become a master in the art of producing speedy 2YO fillies for Royal Ascot and in SHANG SHANG SHANG he looks to have another who could easily follow in the footsteps of recent Royal Ascot winners LADY AURELIA and ACAPULCO. Being a filly, she also gets a handy weight allowance from her rivals and she could well be the one to give Ward his first win in the race since NO NAY NEVER in 2013.

Richard Spencer's RUMBLE INTHEJUNGLE looks a very exciting prospect too and he could be the one to serve it up to Ward's filly. The son of BUNGLE INTHEJUNGLE has only had one start so far – a taking victory in a novice race at Salisbury over 1,000m. He showed plenty of signs of inexperience that day, but still managed to get the job done and showed a good attitude when asked to battle towards the finish. Spencer’s 2YO is bound to come on plenty for that run and could be a big player at a double-figure price.

The Tim Easterby stable has been in good form recently and they will be hoping that VINTAGE BRUT, unbeaten and twice a winner over 1,000m, can give him a first win in the race. He was an impressive seven-length victor on debut at Thirsk and his win in the 1,009m Listed National Stakes at Sandown last time, where he was forced to dig deep, showed he can tough it out too. It looks like there is plenty more to come from VINTAGE BRUT and he is another contender who must be taken seriously.

Adam Kirby and Clive Cox won this race in 2012 with RECKLESS ABANDON and they partner up with KONCHEK this year. The son of LETHAL FORCE was a winner first time out at Newmarket before finishing third behind VINTAGE BRUT at Sandown on his last start. He was drawn badly that day and having been knocked around in the stalls, he did very well to finish as close as he did. Based on that, connections will fancy their chances of reversing the form with VINTAGE BRUT.

The Richard Hannon stable has taken this race four times since its inception in 1980, most recently in 2014 with BAITHA ALGA and they’ll be looking to make it five with THE PADDOCKS. Hannon’s 2YO son of CHARM SPIRIT was an expensive purchase and he showed plenty of ability when taking a decent looking maiden at Newbury over 1,200m on his debut. The stable have a tendency to do very well with their 2YOs and THE PADDOCKS looks another exciting recruit.

Of the others, LAND FORCE can't be totally discounted for the all-powerful Aidan O'Brien stable. The son of 2013 winner NO NAY NEVER hasn’t been given a chance on quick ground over 1,000m, so we're probably yet to see the best of him.


SELECTIONS: 7. RUMBLE INTHEJUNGLE, 10. SHANG SHANG SHANG, 9. VINTAGE BRUT, 4. KONCHEK & 8. THE PADDOCKS


S1-2 Hampton Court Stakes

Godolphin have won the 1,993m G3 Hampton Court Stakes for the last two years and they look to be well-placed to make it a hat-trick. Their charge is headed by KEY VICTORY who bids to give William Buick and Charlie Appleby a second win in the race after they successfully combined with HAWKBILL in 2016. Buick’s mount looked smart on his first two career starts when accounting for some decent-looking opposition. His win in Listed company over 2,000m on his seasonal reappearance was particularly impressive and that led connections to throw him in at the deep end in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly over 2,100m. He finished down the field in eighth that day, but the fact he ran there suggests he is held in high regard.

Appleby looks to hold a very strong hand in the race as he also saddles NORDIC LIGHTS. The son of INTELLO won nicely on his first two career starts over 2,000m at Lingfield and Newmarket and the form of his second start in particular is starting to work out very well. He was very well-backed for the 2,051m G2 Dante Stakes at York on his third and most recent run but finished out of the places. He wasn't suited by the slow pace of the race, though, and is worth giving another chance. Again, being pitched in at Royal Ascot clearly means he’s well thought of and he should give his stablemate plenty to think about.

Saeed bin Suroor took the race last year with BENBATL and he has NATIONAL ARMY this year, who won his only racecourse appearance in a Novice event at Doncaster earlier this month.

John Gosden last won the race in 2013 and he relies on CROSSED BATON. The son of DANSILI was impressive on his first two starts this season which led him to be well-fancied for the G2 Dante Stakes at York. He wasn’t allowed to dictate from the front that day and he may not be able to again on Thursday.

STEPHENSONS ROCKET finished over three lengths behind KEY VICTORY on his seasonal reappearance over 2,000m at Newmarket, before finishing a similar distance behind WITHOUT PAROLE over 1,600m in Listed company at Sandown on his last start. The son of TEOFILO was far too keen that day and will need to settle better here in order to get himself involved. He does look the type to progress as the season goes on, though, and could run into a place, especially as he wants quick ground.

Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won this race since 2005 and he will be hoping HUNTING HORN can change that this year. The 3YO has been well campaigned so far this season, running four times. He was slightly disappointing in the G3 Chester Vase over 2,457m on his penultimate start and connections will be hoping he can bounce back. He ran encouragingly at Chantilly in the 2,100m G1 Prix du Jockey Club on his last start, though, with a drop back in trip seeming to suit. He is bred to get further than this and his extra stamina could come into play.

Owen Burrows could have an interesting contender in WADILSAFA. The 3YO son of FRANKEL will be having just the third start of his career and is one of the most unexposed runners in the line-up. He showed plenty of ability when reversing the form with the well-regarded HERCULEAN over 1,600m at Newmarket last time. Although Burrows’ runner was receiving weight that day, he won nicely and there looks to be plenty more to come.


SELECTIONS: 5. KEY VICTORY, 10. NORDIC LIGHTS, 13. STEPHENSONS ROCKET, 15. WADILSAFA & 4. HUNTING HORN


S1-3 Ribblesdale Stakes

The G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, run over a distance of 2,392m, has been claimed by Sir Michael Stoute on three occasions in its history – but the Newmarket trainer hasn’t won it since 2003. However, that 15-year wait could end this week as SUN MAIDEN lines up following a hugely impressive victory at Salisbury over 1,983m a month ago. The FRANKEL filly blitzed her opponents that day, putting 12 lengths between herself and Saeed bin Suroor’s WHITE LIGHT to give favourite backers a reason to cheer. That was just her second appearance on the track, having finished a close fourth over an inadequate 1,433m trip at Wolverhampton on the tapeta back in December and she’s clearly very talented.

She is definitely going to have to prove that on the track, though, with Charlie Appleby’s WILD ILLUSION a very tough rival. Despite not managing to get her head in front yet this year, the 3YO boasts the best form going into the race having finished second behind FOREVER TOGETHER in the G1 Oaks Stakes over 2,405m at the beginning of the month. That followed a close-up fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket over 1,600m where she finished a length behind LAURENS, who went on to win the G1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m. She will take all the beating and her experience could be enough to get the better of young pretender SUN MAIDEN, with William Buick in the saddle for the Godolphin hopeful.

Aidan O’Brien has a great Ascot record and his MAGIC WAND looks the best of the rest as he bids to win this race for the third time in five years. She finished fourth in the aforementioned G1 Oaks Stakes over 2,405m, but was squeezed for room when switching to the stands’ rail and she is probably better than that finishing position suggests. Before that she won a Listed contest at Chester over 2,268m ahead of none other than FOREVER TOGETHER in the G1 Oaks Stakes, so there’s every reason to believe she can go close.

O’Brien is also represented by last-time-out Fairyhouse winner ATHENA who got her head in front over 2,000m following six failed attempts to break her maiden tag. She did finish second in Listed company at Newbury, though, over 2,000m, with the winner, SEA OF CLASS, going on to take another Listed contest over the same trip and track since.

DANCING BRAVE BEAR looks the best of the rest having finished a good second in the G3 Musidora Stakes over 2,051m, just a length behind winner GIVE AND TAKE.

Clive Cox’s PERFECT CLARITY is two from three but looks beatable, as does John Gosden’s HIGHGARDEN, who has disappointed as favourite a number of times already in her career.


SELECTIONS: 1. WILD ILLUSION, 10. SUN MAIDEN, 6. MAGIC WAND, 2. ATHENA & 3. DANCING BRAVE BEAR

DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-3: Banker – 1. WILD ILLUSION
         Selections – 10. SUN MAIDEN, 6. MAGIC WAND, 2. ATHENA & 3. DANCING BRAVE BEAR
S1-4: Banker – 2. ORDER OF ST GEORGE
         Selections – 9. STRADIVARIUS, 7. DESERT SKYLINE, 5. TORCEDOR & 6. VAZIRABAD


S1-4 Gold Cup

Just a short head separated last year’s first two home in the 3,991m G1 Gold Cup and we look set to witness another epic battle this year. ORDER OF ST GEORGE, second to BIG ORANGE by that narrow margin 12 months ago, has an obvious chance of regaining the prize he won in 2016 if running to his best, but STRADIVARIUS looks a big danger.

On all known form, ORDER OF ST GEORGE is the one to side with. He’s won twice at the track and, of the two, is the proven stayer having run so well over this marathon trip before. The son of GALILEO has been perfectly campaigned for this week’s feature race, winning both the 2,800m G3 Vintage Crop Stakes at Naas and the 2,800m Listed Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown. Aidan O’Brien looks to have done everything within his power to get his star stayer spot on for this and the only minor concern is whether the ground will be a bit too quick for him.

STRADIVARIUS, a progressive 4YO son of SEA THE STARS, looks the main danger and will relish the fast ground. He became the first 3YO in 27 years to win the 3,200m G1 Goodwood Cup last season, but then came up short in both the 2,905m G1 St Leger Stakes and the 3,190m G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. Those final two runs of the campaign came in much softer conditions, though, and he got back to winning ways in good style on more suitable ground on his seasonal reappearance in 2,771m G2 Yorkshire Cup. He’ll certainly get his favoured quicker ground here, though it remains to be seen if he can see out the monster 3,991m trip.

DESERT SKYLINE is another horse who’s yet to run over this far but the manner in which he won the 3,579m G2 Doncaster Cup last season suggested he’s a horse with plenty of stamina. It was too soft for him in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup in October last year and, again, soft ground as well as a penalty meant his seasonal reappearance in the 3,190m G3 Sagaro Stakes was a big ask first time up. He finished a fair third in that while his second to STRADIVARIUS in the G2 Yorkshire Cup, again giving weight away, looks like a solid piece of form. He shouldn’t be too far away.

TORCEDOR is the big hope for dual purpose Irish trainer Mrs John Harrington. Lightly raced for the season with his only run of this campaign coming in the Sagaro Stakes, which he won in commanding fashion, he’s expected to run a big race. Harrington would like to have seen some rain get into the ground, though, and they may just be battling it out for the places.

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD goes well on quick ground but looks to be past his best at the age of nine, so ultra-consistent French raider VAZIRABAD is preferred. He’s not finished out of the first two for 12 starts but looks to face his biggest test to date here. His win back in March in the 3,200m G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, a race he’s now won for three years on the bounce, was impressive but quick ground has to be a concern.


SELECTIONS: 2. ORDER OF ST GEORGE, 9. STRADIVARIUS, 7. DESERT SKYLINE, 5. TORCEDOR & 6. VAZIRABAD


S1-5 Britannia Stakes (Handicap)

The 1,600m Britannia Stakes is one of the hardest puzzles punters have to solve all week, a 30-runner cavalry charge for 3YOs down the straight 1,600m track with the field likely to split into three groups. Not surprisingly, bookmakers rate this one of their favourite races, with only one market-leader successful in the last decade, during which they have celebrated some big priced winners.

John Gosden's IL PRIMO SOLE took the giant leap in class from an easy win in a novice on the polytrack at Kempton to duelling with the Classic stars at ParisLongchamp, and, though finishing only eighth, he was only beaten five lengths.

However, stablemate STYLEHUNTER, inferior to IL PRIMO SOLE on ratings, could prove the better of the Gosden pair. He won impressively at Lingfield last time out and it’s worth recalling that the Newmarket trainer won this race four times either side of the Millennium.

Charlie Appleby has protected the opening handicap mark given to Godolphin’s FIRST CONTACT, keeping him in reserve for this since he won so impressively at Doncaster in April. That novice race was over 1,405m, but the ground was testing and FIRST CONTACT was certainly not stopping at the finish, so the step up in distance should not be a problem, although this will be the fastest ground conditions that William Buick’s mount has experienced.

However, the key form for this race might be found in the competitive Handicap run over this distance at Haydock last month. CRACK ON CRACK ON and COMPLETION were the first two home that day and, though now worse off at the weights with the first two, I fancy the improving CRACK ON CRACK ON, who was going away at the line, to confirm the form. He had to slice his way through a wall of horses to get a clear run and that experience could prove invaluable in another big field here.

CURIOSITY was put up in the weights after finishing second to SYMBOLIZATION at Newmarket last month, but it was his first race for eight months and, in hindsight, it might have been a red-hot handicap. The winner subsequently finished a creditable fifth in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, while SAM GOLD, a well-beaten third, bolted up at Doncaster next time. If CRACK ON CRACK ON and COMPLETION are to be split, then CURIOSITY looks the one to do it. Hugo Palmer's 3YO is likely to come on from his seasonal reappearance, finishing second over 1,600m at Newmarket, and looks a progressive type.

Former champion jockey Richard Hughes is looking for his first Royal Ascot winner as a trainer and looks to have a live chance with GEORGE OF HEARTS. He was unlucky when narrowly beaten by SOCIETY POWER over 1,400m at Ascot, form which was given a boost when the winner landed a £100,000 handicap at Goodwood next time up.

FINNISTON FARM is one who could be running on for a place. He didn't last out the 2,064m in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester and a strongly run 1,600m will be right up his street.


SELECTIONS: 18. CRACK ON CRACK ON, 16. CURIOSITY, 27. CORROSIVE, 19. GEORGE OF HEARTS & 4. FINNISTON FARM


S1-6 King George V Stakes (Handicap)

In the past a low draw was always considered a necessity with a maximum 19-strong field in the 2,392m King George V Stakes Handicap, but the first two home last year came from barriers 22 and 18 respectively, making today’s picture seem even cloudier. Indeed, eight of the last 10 winners have come from a double-figure barrier, and in a race always run at a furious pace horses avoiding the early bunching from the wider draws can sometimes get the clearer passage up the home straight. Godolphin have been victorious in this competitive finale three times in the last four years, while trainer Mark Johnston has five wins to his credit, and both have fancied runners again.

The 'Boys in Blue' are represented by dual tapeta winner CROSS COUNTER, who made an impressive turf debut when runner-up at Sandown, having conceded first run to the eventual winner. He is the choice of William Buick, Charlie Appleby’s number one jockey, and looks leniently treated on his handicap debut.

There must also be respect for stable companion DUBHE, whose victory over Johnston's COMMUNIQUE over the same course was given a form boost when the latter went one better at Newbury. Champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa rides COMMUNIQUE, who could improve again for stepping up in distance here, and the trainer’s hand is strengthened by BAGHDAD, who just held stablemate MAKING MIRACLES at York last time. BAGHDAD has gone up significantly in the weights for a short head victory but he stays well and relishes fast ground, so you ignore him at your peril.

John Gosden won this race twice in the Nineties and had the runner-up in 2013, so both his runners here, FIRST ELEVEN and CASSINI, come into the mix. FIRST ELEVEN, an imposing son of FRANKEL, was hugely impressive when slamming the ultra-consistent KING’S PROCTOR by five lengths on fast ground at Newbury, having previously been stuck in the mud at Salisbury. The mount of Frankie Dettori, FIRST ELEVEN could be a real player here even off a higher mark, while we should not ignore second-string CASSINI either. Gosden has a high opinion of this son of GALILEO and he has sharpened up at home since breaking his maiden over 2,000m at Windsor early this month.


SELECTIONS: 4. COMMUNIQUE, 2. CROSS COUNTER, 11. FIRST ELEVEN, 12. BAGHDAD & 13. CASSINI

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