It’s almost time for the annual Royal Ascot festival, the crown jewel in Britain’s horse racing calendar. All eyes are on the Ascot Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious races of the meet, and this year boasts a particularly competitive line-up of horses and trainers.
The event is as much about the betting as it is about the pageantry, and understanding the odds can provide an edge in this exhilarating contest. This article explores the favorites for the 2023 Ascot Gold Cup.
Royal Ascot Odds: Front-Runners and Dark Horses
At 3/1, Andrew Balding’s charge, Coltrane, is leading the betting charts. The six-year-old is well-favored after victories in the Group 2 Coral Doncaster Cup Stakes and the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month. Considering the horse’s familiarity with Ascot and its anticipated further progression, Coltrane is indeed a strong contender.
Roger Varian’s Eldar Eldarov, another promising contender, is also in the race, albeit yet to win beyond two miles and six furlongs. With a Group 1 win at the Cazoo St Leger Stakes under his belt and an impressive start to the season, this four-year-old has shown potential for further improvement. His chances will depend on his stamina, a factor yet to be determined at the two-mile Ascot Gold Cup distance.
Next in the line-up is Emily Dickinson, from the formidable stable of Aiden O’Brien, who holds a record eight victories in this race. This experienced filly has shown proficiency on heavy ground but may struggle if the conditions are good. Her performance will likely hinge on weather conditions on the day.
Another promising entrée is Haskoy, trained by Ralph Beckett. With three wins from four career starts, this filly has shown significant potential, but her readiness for the Ascot trip and level of competition is yet to be tested.
Frankel gelding Courage Mon Ami is an exciting entrant with an impressive unbeaten record. Despite a slight concern regarding his lack of experience in Group company and an unknown performance at the two-mile distance, he has been catching the attention of punters.
Seasoned campaigners like Broome, with an admirable record in Group 2 races, and Subjectivist, the 2021 Gold Cup victor, cannot be ignored. However, facing younger and potentially more progressive rivals, they may struggle to regain the crown.
The Godolphin-owned Yibir, a winner of seven from 17 starts, also brings significant ability to the table. However, he will have to show improvement from his seasonal bow to compete at this level.
Outside chances include Echoes In Rain, a Grade 1 winning hurdler trained by Willie Mullins, and Point Lonsdale, a promising four-year-old trained by Aidan O’Brien. Both are capable of surprising the field, given their strong form and proven stamina.
The Dark Horse: Eldar Eldarov
However, one standout prospect is Eldar Eldarov. Despite his inexperience at this distance, his victories at Ascot and St Leger demonstrate his ability to compete at the top level. He is already a Group 1 winner, and with a steady start to the season, he might be the dark horse to bet on. Trainer Roger Varian’s knack for preparing his horses for specific races might make all the difference.