Stradivarius became just the third horse to win the Gold Cup at Ascot three times or more and is now not only a staying great but a racing immortal. It was a brilliant performance from a brilliant horse who joins Sagaro (3 wins) and Yeats (4 wins) as a triple winner of the long distance championship. The 4/5 favourite won the race by 10 lengths and now has five Gold Cups in his sights. Concerns about the ground were unfounded because Frankie Dettori took total control of the race. Connections are proud of the horse who is now a Flat racing superstar.
For more information about the other horses of the race, check our page dedicated to the Royal Ascot runners.
Royal Ascot Day Three – Thursday 18th June 2020
Technician was backed early in the day but then drifted in the few hours before the race. Cross Counter became the each way steamer and justified that support by finishing third at 7/1. The runner-up was Nayef Road but frankly it was a one-horse race. Stradivarius is aged six and Yeats won the fourth of his Gold Cups at the age of eight. So, the 2020 winner could run in at least two more Gold Cups and it will take an outstanding horse to beat him. Stradivarius is 6/4* to win the race next year. Dettori recognises the horse as one of the best stayers in the history of the sport.
The trainer, John Gosden, suggested his horse will next run in the Goodwood Cup, a race he has won three times. However, he hinted that the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be a late-season target and the horse has been given an entry for that race at Longchamp in October. Stradivarius was quoted at 40/1* for the Arc immediately after the Gold Cup. Punters should be all over that price but the objective must be one or two more Gold Cups. On the evidence of Thursday’s race that achievement is well within the compass of Stradivarius.
Ascot Gold Cup Results:
| Result | Runner | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Stradivarius | 4/5 Favourite |
| 2nd | Nayef Road | 11/1 |
| 3rd | Cross Counter | 7/1 |
Molatham won the Jersey Stakes, which was the only other Group race on the card. Monarch of Glen finished second in the Group 3 contest after trading at 1.04 on the betting exchanges. That means the horse was 1/25 to win the race but Molatham battled on in the final furlong to win by half a length. The winner could be targeted at major middle-distance Group races later this season.
Molatham was another winner for the Roger Varian and Jim Crowley partnership who joined forces to win two races on the third day of Royal Ascot. The trainer won a third race but not with Crowley on board. Varian’s winner of the Jersey Stakes got early quotes of 16/1* for the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood later in the summer. Molatham is progressive so that price might not last long.
Jersey Stakes Results:
| Result | Runner | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Molatham | 11/2 |
| 2nd | Monarch Of Egypt | 4/1 |
| 3rd | Symbolize | 40/1 |
The Wolferton Stakes was one of the best-listed races of the season and the favourite, Sir Dragonet, was the favourite for the Derby last season. However, Mountain Angel was too good for that horse and the rest of the field. The 8/1 winner got first run and won well to take his form to a new level. Mountain Angel has won handicaps in the past but was placed in a Group 2 race in France. The horse likes soft going so the underfoot conditions were ideal. Future plans for Mountain Angel are unclear but the horse can be competitive at Group level.
Battleground won the Listed Chesham Stakes for horses aged two over seven furlongs. The winner’s dam is Found who won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the horse was the biggest in the field of juveniles. Battleground is trained by Aidan O’Brien who has now won 73 races at Royal Ascot. He is now just two behind the late Sir Henry Cecil who is the winning-most trainer in the history of the meeting. It was Ryan Moore’s 61st Royal Ascot winner and the successful 11/4 favourite could become a leading contender for the 2021 colt’s Classics in the UK and Ireland.
Royal Ascot Day 4 Tips
The Thursday of the meeting was completed by three big field competitive handicaps. The most impressive winner was Highland Chief who took the Golden Gates handicap at 20/1. The top weight had the look of a Group horse in a handicap and he could head to the Derby. Highland Chief finished third behind Pinatubo at Royal Ascot last season and the son of Gleneagles is bred for Group races. The race was rare in that the winner was trained by a father and son team. It was also the first Royal Ascot success for the jockey, Rossa Ryan.
The Jim Crowley and Roger Varian team won the Britannia Stakes Handicap over one mile with the 9/2 second favourite, Khaloosy. The well-backed market leader, Finest Sound, finished four and a half lengths adrift of the winner in second place. Hayley Turner won the Sandringham Stakes for the second year in succession aboard the 33/1 shot, Onassis. The horse won well but no performance came close to the effort produced by Stradivarius in winning a third Gold Cup in three years.
After the third of five days of Royal Ascot 2020 the standings and winners are as follows:
Leading Jockey
| Jockey | Points |
|---|---|
| Jim Crowley | 6 |
| James Doyle | 3 |
| Ryan Moore | 3 |
| Frankie Dettori | 2 |
| Hayley Turner | 1 |
| Rossa Ryan | 1 |
| Andrea Atzeni | 1 |
| William Buick | 1 |
| Oisin Murphy | 1 |
| Thore Hammer Hansen | 1 |
| Martin Dwyer | 1 |
Leading Trainer
| Trainer | Points |
|---|---|
| John Gosden | 4 |
| Roger Varian | 4 |
| Aidan O’Brien | 3 |
| Charlie Fellowes | 1 |
| Paul & Oliver Cole | 1 |
| Andrew Balding | 1 |
| Mark Johnston | 1 |
| Owen Burrows | 1 |
| William Knight | 1 |
| Alan King | 1 |
| Charlie Hills | 1 |
| William Muir | 1 |
| Richard Hannon | 1 |
Jim Crowley is now a generous looking 15/8* favourite to be the leading jockey at Royal Ascot for the first time. The training honours look to be between John Gosden, Roger Varian and Aidan O’Brien because no other trainers have the ammunition to come off the pace. There are five Group races on the fourth day and the highlight is the Commonwealth Cup, the only Friday race at the highest level. Pierre Lapin is the overnight favourite and the horse could be another winner for Varian. However, the star of the Royal Ascot 2020 show has to be Stradivarius.
*You should have in mind that the odds can change before the event. Make sure to check them regularly in order to make an informed decision when you want to place your bet.
