Royal Ascot reaches its peak on Thursday with the Group One Gold Cup at 4.15pm serving as the centrepiece of the entire five-day festival.
Run over a punishing two-and-a-half miles, the Gold Cup is the ultimate examination of a stayer’s class, stamina, and mental fortitude.
Trawlerman arrives as the defending champion, having won the race 12 months ago before adding the Lonsdale Cup at York and the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day in October.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the eight-year-old possesses every quality required to win again, and on his best form he remains the horse the field must beat.
However, reports of a delayed preparation and a rare condition requiring him to wear goggle-like eye sun shields on the gallops have raised genuine questions about his readiness to perform at peak level.
Those concerns could hand the initiative to Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia, who looks the next great staying star to emerge from the powerful Ballydoyle operation.
O’Brien holds a remarkable record in this race, having won it nine times since Yeats gave him a first success back in 2006, and Scandinavia already boasts a Goodwood Cup and a St Leger to his name.
Having returned with two wins over a mile-and-three-quarters this season, Scandinavia is clearly the most likely winner, but 13/8 looks a skinny price for a horse attempting two-and-a-half miles for the first time.
That compressed price makes Al Riffa, representing the in-form Joseph O’Brien yard, a far more attractive each-way proposition at 8/1 with Star Sports.
A ready winner of the Irish St Leger last season, Al Riffa also showed considerable heart when finishing seventh in the Melbourne Cup on his next outing.
His close third in the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp last month, staying on strongly from the rear in soft ground, suggested this extreme trip could well be within his compass.
Caballo De Mar also deserves serious each-way consideration after finishing just ahead of Al Riffa at Longchamp, lasting home having taken up the running a furlong out.
George Scott’s charge already has the Group One Prix du Cadran over this exact trip on his record, winning in very soft ground at Longchamp in October last year.
He also demonstrated versatility on quicker going when narrowly going down to Sweet William over two miles at Ascot in the Sagaro Stakes last month, making him an appealing alternative angle.
Turning to the opening Chesham Stakes at 2.30pm, Aidan O’Brien’s Aix La Chapelle has dominated the market, but his price makes him an unappealing proposition at the current odds.
Instead, the yard’s second string South Dakota makes considerable appeal after his fourth behind stablemate Sergei Diaghilev on debut at the Curragh, where he showed greenness before making up strong ground from the rear.
He faded late on that day but left a clear impression that a significant step forward is well within reach on just his second racecourse appearance.
Fozzy Stack’s Nola Soul completes the each-way portfolio for Thursday, having created a strong impression when winning on debut at Leopardstown and reportedly held in high regard by connections.
Both South Dakota and Nola Soul are recommended each-way at 7/1 in the Chesham Stakes, while Al Riffa and Caballo De Mar represent the value plays in the Gold Cup.