Ascot Gold Cup Tips 2026: Feature Race Of The Week Analysed

The most famous race of the week at Royal Ascot every season, the Gold Cup is a stamina test like no other and is a true examination of the staying prowess of all who enter. This season looks like a changing of the guard renewal, with plenty of youngsters ready to step into the shoes vacated by Kyprios recently as the top stayer around. Billy Grimshaw previews the contest and has a strong punting opinion.

There is no test as brutal for stayers as the Ascot Gold Cup, particularly when there is a merciless front runner turning the race into a stamina sapper from a long way out. That is what we are almost certain to see again from the reigning champion Trawlerman, who was an all the way winner in this race last year, breaking the heart of each rival one by one as he continued to pound his way to a seven length success.

A smidgen of doubt exists, as this is his first start of the campaign and it'll be a massive call for William Buick if he does commit his horse to running such a brave race again with the risk of him blowing up surely heightened, however if he does get the lead early, the rest of the field will all be sweating. At eight now and with this being his first assignment of the year, I am not willing to take 7/2 about him retaining his crown as I do think there is a massive potential for him to stop abruptly when the petrol tank empties should he attempt to go wire to wire, and if Buick plays it safe I think the horse may sulk about not being in front.

The St Leger of the previous season is often the key race for the Gold Cup and predictably, the first and second lining up here are in that order in the market. Scandinavia won at Doncaster that day and has done very, very little wrong thus far in his career, with his wins never flashy but always giving off the impression he has plenty more in the locker should he need it. He has been bred and trained for this job by the master, but if you are taking 13/8 about him you are placing a lot of faith in Aidan O'Brien. That's not the worst thing to do, he is the greatest trainer of all time after all, but I will be looking elsewhere.

I won't be looking far down the racecard for my pick, however, as currently jostling for favouritism with Trawlerman is the aforementioned Leger second RAHIEBB. Roger Varian is one of the more measured presences in the trainers' ranks but even he cannot hide the affection he holds this horse in, and I absolutely loved what I saw from him on his return to action at York when powering clear to win the Yorkshire Cup. A huge stamp of a horse, he is tailormade for a long and successful career in the staying ranks and I think if the Yorkshire Cup was his coming out party, this can be his crowning moment.

Scandinavia always looked to be holding him off in the Leger, that much is true, and one suspects both will stay this trip pretty well, however it is worth noting Rahiebb took a while to get going on his last start at three, while he was much more prominent on his four year old debut. I am hopeful that Ray Dawson puts all his faith in his mount and rides him positively here, either leading if Buick and Trawlerman don't fancy it or just off the lead if the defending champion does try to blaze a trail. Should he find himself in front of Scandinavia in the early part of the race, it is of paramount importance he stays there and makes his winning move at the same time. There is a cigarette paper between this pair in terms of speed, in my opinion, but if pushed I'd bet Rahiebb is the stronger stayer so if they wind up from a long way out, I'm hopeful the 4/1 shot can outbattle the favourite and gain vengeance for his Doncaster defeat.

There are others in this field worthy of respect, with Sweet William a standing dish in these races but still largely unpredictable and now perhaps in the grips of father time. Caballo De Mar is an intriguing entrant but I suspect George Scott will be doing a rain dance as his best performances have come on softer ground than he is likely to encounter here. He is not without each-way hope and will definitely stay, but may just be outclassed.

I am hopeful we see the big three still in there swinging a few furlongs out and another epic Gold Cup is dished up for flat fans around the globe. Hopefully, we are celebrating a great race as well as a great priced winner.