Tattersalls Gold Cup: runner-by-runner guide and 40-1 each-way tip

Announced himself onto the middle-distance scene by building on a fine reappearance third behind Al Aasy when seeing off the subsequent three-time Group One winner Ombudsman in last season’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. 

Perhaps took advantage of that rival’s lack of match sharpness that day, but backed it up in three further starts last term (without winning), the pick of which came when four lengths-third to 'Horse of the Year' Calandagan. 

Big horse who might not be the easiest to get fit at home (missed his prep race due to scoping dirty in April), but this has been the plan for a while and assuming he breaks smartly, he could potentially – as a prominent racer - have track position advantage on Minnie Hauk. 

Won all three starts at two, most notably the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, but was on the verge of a frustrating three-year-old campaign until storming clear in the Group One Preis Von Bayern where his stamina came to the fore on soft ground. 

Very pleasing return to action when conceding 5lb and pushing Lambourn to a neck success in the Huxley Stakes at Chester earlier this month, despite being a little keen through the first half of the race. 

Not always the quickest away and wouldn’t want to revert to that habit here on ground that may not be quite as slow as he’d prefer. 

Debut winner of a Dundalk maiden who failed to fire on his next two starts either side of a winter gelding operation. 

Much better effort – on the face of it, at least – when setting the fractions for Minnie Hauk in the Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes last time. 

Similar tactics likely here but would be a big surprise were he to cling onto second this time in this much stronger field. 

Claimed the notable scalp of Delacroix (twice) as a two-year-old and ran to a very consistent – if a little underwhelming – level in all four starts last season, his listed win at Leopardstown in June marginally the pick on ratings. 

Pleasing prep when fourth from a wide draw in the Group Three Alleged Stakes over C&D last month, just fading late on having cut out the running until two-out but battling well once headed. 

Big horse who should have come on plenty for that run and no surprise to see him take another step forward this season. Yet to race on quicker than good, but these conditions should prove ideal. 

Stalwart who rose through the ranks to earn his place in this sort of company, though yet to finish closer than third (beaten two and a quarter lengths by both Anmaat in the Champion Stakes and Sosie in the Prix Ganay) in six Group One starts. 

Behind Green Impact on reappearance and several lengths to find with Bay City Roller on their Chester run last time (where he returned with blood in his mouth), so looks up against it once more. 

Always highly regarded at home, hence being sent off 11-4 favourite for the London Gold Cup where he successfully conceded a stone to the runner-up. Followed up in similarly competitive race at Sandown, and then ran well when third in an all-age listed contest at Goodwood behind more experienced horses. 

Took his form up another notch when making a successful return in the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes back at Sandown last month, quickening well from the rear in a race that has often been a stepping stone for future Group One winners (Mostahdaf and Adayar recent examples). 

Interesting that connections take this route, and expert trainer thinks the track will suit, so looks a leading contender as the most progressive colt in the line-up. 

Unraced as a two-year-old but quickly into stride last term, winning at Dundalk in February and producing his best performance on the figures when beaten less than four lengths in the Grade One Saratoga Derby over in America in August. 

Soft ground probably to blame for below-par reappearance at Naas but signs of a little more life when fourth behind Minnie Hauk earlier this month. 

Unlikely to add a second career success here. 

Brought along steadily at two and that approach paid dividends last term, her four wins including the English, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks. 

Took on the boys for the first time when a head-second to Daryz in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - the pair pulling clear of the four-time Group One winner Sosie - where she fared easily best of those who raced near the pace in what appears a very strong renewal. 

Possibly found the race coming too soon/feeling the effects of a hard season when only sixth as the 6-4 favourite in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on firm ground the following month. 

Has earned her accolade as the highest-rated mare in the world, should be fit after easily coming from off the pace in her prep over C&D on her reappearance, and should prove very hard to beat as a result. 

It’s interesting that connections have said they will keep Minnie Hauk to this trip for the first half of the season and this should be run at a strong tempo which should suit ideally. Clear on official ratings and receiving 3lb, she should prove hard to beat but her price makes no appeal given she faces classy mile and a quarter horses for the first time. 

I would have preferred to have seen Almaqam get a run under his belt, but he still rates a big threat on the pick of his form, and anything he does here should stand him in good stead for races like the Coral-Eclipse in six weeks’ time. 

The same owners’ Saddadd – a year-younger half-brother to Almaqam - remains firmly on the up and may well have a similar target, but this looks a strong Group One in which to dip his toe and his price is based more on potential than form at this stage. 

If there’s one who might be overpriced, it could be GREEN IMPACT for Jessica Harrington who primed Alpha Centauri to perfection to win the 1,000 Guineas on this card back in 2018 after one (below par) prep run. 

Green Impact doesn’t have much to find with Almaqam on their York Stakes effort as a three-year-old last term, and this big horse should be a stronger individual with another winter on his back. He’s unexposed over this trip on decent ground and, for a yard that is starting to hit better form, could take another step forward to at least reach the places at 40-1. 

1 MINNIE HAUK. 2 GREEN IMPACT. 3 ALMAQAM.