The Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup remains the absolute crown jewel of the staying division, testing the absolute limits of horse, jockey, and trainer over a grueling two-and-a-half-mile marathon. As the centerpiece of Day 3 of the Royal Ascot meeting, this race is not just a test of stamina but also one of the most anticipated highlights of the entire horse racing year. For horse racing enthusiasts globally, Royal Ascot betting represents the absolute pinnacle of turf speculation, drawing millions in global pool liquidity.
This year's renewal features a fascinating blend of battle-hardened veterans, Classic-winning four-year-olds, and unexposed stayers stepping up to the marathon trip for the first time. Navigating this elite field requires a careful blend of statistical analysis, track-condition monitoring, and historical trend analysis. This grueling staying test is a highlight of the week, causing massive movements in the Ascot Gold Cup odds as money pours in from around the globe.
If you want to bet on the Royal Ascot with confidence, understanding the staying division is crucial. With a field of eleven confirmed runners, the battle lines are officially drawn. Whether you are backing the short-priced favorite or searching for a live longshot to outrun their odds, our comprehensive horse-by-horse breakdown provides your ultimate guide to navigating the complexities of this legendary race.
| # | ML | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
| 1 | 30-1 | Al Nayyir (GB) | J. Doyle | T. Clover |
| 2 | 15-1 | Al Riffa (FR) | D. McMonagle | J. O'Brien |
| 3 | 10-1 | Caballo de Mar (IRE) | O. Murphy | G. Scott |
| 4 | 20-1 | Dubai Future (GB) | D. Probert | S. bin Suroor |
| 5 | 8-1 | Sweet William (IRE) | R. Havlin | J. Gosden |
| 6 | 7-2 | Trawlerman (IRE) | W. Buick | J. Gosden |
| 7 | 20-1 | Carmers (IRE) | W. Lee | P. Twomey |
| 8 | 60-1 | Furthur (IRE) | C. Keane | A. Balding |
| 9 | 5-1 | Rahiebb (GB) | R. Dawson | R. Varian |
| 10 | 7-5 | Scandinavia | R. Moore | A. O'Brien |
| 11 | 60-1 | Miss Alpilles (GB) | K. Shoemark | E. Walker |
One of the elder statesmen in the race is the eight-year-old Al Nayyir, who has certainly done the stable merry-go-round in his career. He started life with Charlie Appleby for one run before being switched to Doug Watson for 2022. In 2023, he joined Romain Le Dren Doleuze, before Georges Doleuze took over. Then, in 2024, he joined Julien Carayon for one run before returning to these shores and the stable of Tom Clover.
Despite the frequent address changes, he remains an incredibly honest and talented stayer on his day. He has looked in the best form since that run in his three starts this campaign, resulting in a good second behind the re-opposing Rahiebb in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup last time out. He wouldn't mind softer ground to see him to even better effect, but that looks very unlikely. As you scan the current Ascot Gold Cup odds, this eight-year-old offers intriguing outsider appeal, influencing the Ascot Gold Cup odds for those looking for value.
Al Riffa was a somewhat surprising declaration, having been expected to run in the Hardwicke Stakes instead—the race he finished second in last year. He took the step up in distance to 1m 6f in his stride on his subsequent start when winning the Group 2 Curragh Cup before going in again over the same track and trip in the 2025 Irish St Leger.
The stamina tests kept on coming, and he was an eyecatcher in the Melbourne Cup when staying on strongly from the back to eventually finish seventh. Following efforts around the world have been very encouraging, most notably last time out when a close third behind Caballo De Mar at ParisLongchamp over 2m. For those engaging in Royal Ascot betting, he brings a fascinating Irish angle. However, he still hasn't shown he's assured to get this specialist trip, but he's a highly talented horse who may have more doors to unlock still.
Trainer George Scott has continued to rapidly climb the ranks of late and secured his first domestic Group 1 win courtesy of Bay City Roller in the Coolmore Coronation Cup at Epsom. His leading hope for Royal Ascot is Caballo De Mar, who, unlike many of his rivals here, doesn't have any stamina doubts. He more than proved he’s able to stay 2m 4f when winning the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp in October ahead of stalwart stayer Coltrane.
Since that success, he ran well on his reappearance in Meydan before a career-best effort followed when tested against some of the best stayers around in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes, finishing a short-head second to Sweet William. He then proved his love for ParisLongchamp once again by winning the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier over 2m last time out. This has seen him respected in the Ascot Gold Cup odds as a live contender. He’s shown massive improvement since 2024, and he is now a dual Group 1 winner who must show it at the top level at Ascot now.
The oldest horse in the line-up, with Dubai Future still going at the age of 10. A winner of 10 of his 39 career starts and amassing nearly £2m in prize-money, he’s been a credit to all involved. Most of his career has been spent abroad, where he’s picked up valuable prizes, including wins at Meydan and Bahrain in recent years.
However, he did notch a domestic success last time out when causing an upset at 28/1 in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown. He beat the re-opposing Sweet William by a neck that day, reversing the Sagaro Stakes form on the same terms in the process. He finished 14-lengths third in the Gold Cup last year, but he can continue to give a good account of himself at this level despite his advancing years. He is an old warrior for punters looking to bet on the Royal Ascot on a budget.
A quirky character who is also remarkably consistent, as well as a wonderful stalwart of the staying division and a real fan favorite. Now a seven-year-old, however, it feels as though he’s been around for twice that long, which is a testament to those around him for his longevity and appetite to run.
Considering his previous physical and mental issues, he’s already had a fantastic career, with that ability showing no signs of waning. He also has a very good Ascot record, as showcased by his success on his seasonal bow in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes when fending off the re-opposing Caballo De Mar by a short-head into second. He remains a popular target for Royal Ascot betting slips due to his consistency. The biggest question for Sweet William has always been his stamina for 2m 4f, which he’s yet to answer, and at the age of seven, he’s unlikely to find those extra reserves in the closing stages.
The reigning champion following his emphatic win in the 2025 Gold Cup, in the process going one better than he managed the previous year when second to Kyprios. The key question for him this year, however, is an entirely different preparation. The positive is that this different prep hasn't been caused by a physical issue, as such, but instead by an eye-sensitivity ailment.
As a result, he will be sporting an equine version of ski goggles in the parade ring and on his way down to the start. Due to his eye issue, we haven’t seen him on a racecourse since 18th October 2025, when he was a game winner of the Group 1 Long Distance Cup. For a stayer, it is hardly ideal to have had no sort of race conditioning before a race as tough as the Gold Cup. Any positive updates from the stables will surely impact the Ascot Gold Cup odds, but if he isn't cherry ripe, it will be interesting to see if his usual front-running tactics are deployed.
Carmers is the first of the four-year-old fraternity, and he remains lightly raced after just seven career outings, winning four of them. He won his first three starts, resulting in success in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at last year’s Royal meeting. He had the re-opposing Furthur, Rahiebb, and Scandinavia all behind him that day.
However, Scandinavia and Rahiebb then comfortably turned that form around in the St Leger at Doncaster in September. Last time out was much better for him when stepping up to 2m for the first time and also switching from blinkers to a visor. He was well on top in that Listed event at Down Royal, but this will pose a much larger question. He is a wild card for players looking to diversify their Royal Ascot betting portfolio with an unexposed prospect.
A notable jockey booking is Colin Keane riding Furthur for Andrew Balding. Another four-year-old in the line-up, who, similar to the other younger horses, has stamina to prove here. His final start of last season came when finishing 11th in the Melbourne Cup over 2m at Flemington.
He was too keen the day before to make any brief headway, but ultimately, he made no meaningful impression after being held up. He was subsequently gelded and has run respectably twice since without posting much to write home about. For fans who want to bet on the Royal Ascot with an each-way sleeper, he is a massive price in the betting book. However, finishing fourth at York behind Rahiebb and Al Nayyir means he has plenty to prove at this level.
The apple of Roger Varian’s eye and the wildcard runner in this year’s Gold Cup. Another four-year-old, he too will be taken into uncharted territory over this trip of 2m 4f. He has just eight career starts to his name, winning two, and was very impressive last time out when landing the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup Stakes over 1m 6f.
The gallop was steady at York, but he stayed on strongly in the closing stages to register his first win since his debut, looking as though a stronger gallop would suit him as well as a further step up in trip. He already has previous experience with Scandinavia after finishing neck and neck with him in the St Leger on his final start at three. He is a rising force that could completely blow the Ascot Gold Cup odds apart if his stamina holds.
The new potential staying star on the block, and with all the right connections to expect him to be exactly that. He took the Classic St Leger prize in 2025 under Tom Marquand in gutsy style after being ridden to the fore and digging deep inside the final furlong to fend off all challengers. He was already a Cup winner last year when becoming just the second three-year-old to win the Goodwood Cup in 25 years.
Now a winner of his last five races, Scandinavia is a horse who only just does enough, which has been a true hallmark of some of the great stayers. That was showcased last time out when landing the Group 3 Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown, taking his seasonal record to two from two. He represents the definitive class angle of this year's Royal Ascot betting market, and it is expected that his true ability will only surface the higher he climbs.
Miss Alpilles is a likable mare who has really managed to get her act together over the past year. Her improvement started when winning a Goodwood handicap over 1m 6f off a mark of 78. Following that success, her confidence evidently grew, and she subsequently won a Listed race when upped to 2m for the first time at Newmarket on her final start of last season.
She looks to have taken a similar approach of improving for racing this season based on her first two outings, having first finished third at 40/1 in the Sagaro Stakes. She then took that form forward to finish second at York back against her own sex in the Group 3 Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes over 1m 6f. She won’t mind stepping back up in trip here, providing massive appeal for those targeting value in the Royal Ascot betting ring.
It is incredibly difficult to escape SCANDINAVIA, and we have high hopes he’s going to be the new staying kid on the block, which will hopefully see him ruling this division for many seasons to come. He has the class, the tactical speed, and the grit required to win a grinding race of this magnitude.
The runner we think has been overlooked in the market at a monster price, however, is MISS ALPILLES. This is a big ask for her, but she has proven she stays 2m and arrives here in good order, so she might be worth taking a small each-way chance on.
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The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
