2m4f (2m3f210y) Gold Cup (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)
The complexion of the staying division has been hugely disrupted with the retirement of Kyprios earlier in the season. Aidan O’Brien might have a new heir to the throne in Illinois waiting in the wings but he is yet to try this trip and has still only managed a Group 2 victory in his career so far having come up short in a couple of Group 1’s.
Nonetheless Illinois is a formidable foe, while the other entries are all getting on in years having been battered by Kyprios on many occasions. This could be a great opportunity for them to get their hands on a Gold Cup, but there is a hugely unexposed stayer in here in the shape of CANDALARI who despite his inexperience having only made five career starts with the first back in December, his raw ability has already taken him to a Group 1 success and he is officially rated 2lbs higher than Illinois.
All of Candalari runs to date have been on the all-weather and gd-soft or soft ground, but he is a fine moving horse bred by Frankel so I’d imagine he should be versatile as regards the ground. He too has to tackle this 2m 4f trip for the first time, but his stamina looks to be his strong suit and if there is another in this line-up that can go on to be dominant in this division for years to come it might just be him.
1.5pts win Candalari @10/3, 16:20 Royal Ascot, Thursday
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