The Ascot Gold Cup has long been the crown jewel of Royal Ascot’s crown—a searching test of stamina that demands class, grit and tactical nous.
While perhaps not quite on the same level as Yeats and Stradivarius, Kyprios still embodied those qualities like few others.
The Coolmore-owned superstar was bidding for a historic third victory in the race this year, but an aggravation of a previous ringbone injury has sadly brought his glittering career to an abrupt end.
With his absence confirmed, the ante-post market has been thrown into disarray—making it harder to know where to place your free bets.
So, who are the new contenders jostling for favouritism in a more open renewal of the staying showpiece? Let’s delve into the reshaped betting picture.
Illinois – 11/8
Illinois has proven staying power, but was likely to take a different route to the Gold Cup to avoid a clash with his stablemate. Instead, Coolmore now have the perfect replacement for the retired Kyprios.
Illinois, a son of the legendary Galileo, has versatility in abundance, with wins from one mile and a furlong right up to one mile and seven furlongs—indicating the Gold Cup’s testing trip should be no concern.
He’s been seen just once this season since winning the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp in October, staying on to score in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May, and the Gold Cup is well within his grasp. 11/8 is tempting with your Ascot free bets.
Candelari – 3/1
French raider Candelari, who dons the iconic green and red silks of the late Aga Khan, looks set to be Illinois’ greatest danger.
The lightly raced four-year-old, sired by Frankel, won his first two starts at Chantilly by a comfortable four lengths before being gelded and completing the hat-trick at the Paris track.
Candelari was then headed for the first time when third in the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville, but was only beaten by half a length, and bounced back in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier next time.
Candelari wins a first Group One in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier! 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/uyGWhr0mCj
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025
He’s shaped like he’s going to love the step up to two miles and four furlongs, but might not appreciate firmer ground if the weather stays dry.
Trawlerman – 4/1
John Gosden has won four of the last seven renewals of the Gold Cup, winning three in a row with Stradivarius from 2018-2020, before another top-class training display with Courage Mon Ami alongside his son Thady in 2023.
The esteemed Clarehaven Stables team have a big chance to land the spoils again this year, with Trawlerman—who was last year’s runner-up when following home Kyprios by just a length under top jockey William Buick.
A winner of the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day in 2023, the veteran seven-year-old beat Coltrane by five lengths in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown over two miles at the end of May, and could go one better at Ascot this time.
Sweet William, another Gosden-trained horse, is 11/2, while St Leger winner Jan Brueghel could be another Coolmore representative at 6/1.
