Confirmed runners and riders for Thursday's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

Stradivarius will face nine rivals as he bids to regain his crown and earn a record-equalling fourth win in the Gold Cup (4.20) on Thursday.

The popular stayer dominated the meeting's pinnacle contest between 2018 and 2020 before finishing fourth to Subjectivist last year, but he returned with a bang a month ago when a brave winner of the Yorkshire Cup.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained eight-year-old will attempt to become the first horse to regain his title since Kayf Tara did so in 2000 as well as emulating the great Yeats as four-time Gold Cup winner.

4.20 Ascot: Gold Cup card and betting

Trueshan, Long Distance Cup conqueror of Stradivarius for the past two seasons, has been left in by Alan King despite the trainer saying he is unlikely to run, while young pretender Kyprios will be Aidan O'Brien's sole representative.

The most notable absentee at declarations stage was last year's Prix Royal-Oak winner Scope, who was a doubtful runner earlier in the week.

Gold Cup final field

AlignakSaffie Osborne
EarlofthecotswoldsLiam Keniry
StradivariusFrankie Dettori
Trueshan Hollie Doyle
KypriosRyan Moore
Mojo Star Rossa Ryan
TashkhanBen Robinson
Bubble SmartGerald Mosse
Burning VictoryWilliam Buick
Princess ZoeJoey Sheridan

Six declared in Hampton Court and Ribblesdale

The Queen could be set to have a landmark Royal Ascot winner in her Platinum Jubilee year after Reach For The Moon was among six declarations for the Hampton Court Stakes (5.35).

The three-year-old was a classy juvenile and made his return when a respectable second in the Listed Heron Stakes last month and steps up in trip to 1m2f for the first time.

His closest rival could be Claymore, who was second behind Native Trail in the Craven Stakes on his penultimate start before disappointing in the French 2,000 Guineas.

A field of six will also go to post for the Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40) in Oaks second Emily Upjohn's absence, with progressive Listed winner Sea Silk Road heading the line-up for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

Magical Lagoon, second to Oaks fourth Concert Hall last time, heads a two-strong Irish line-up that also includes the Aidan O'Brien-trained History, while Musidora Stakes second Life Of Dreams will take her place for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.

Hampton Court Stakes final field

ClaymoreAdam Kirby
CrestaJamie Spencer
HowthRyan Moore
KingmaxRossa Ryan
MaksudTom Marquand
Reach For The MoonFrankie Dettori

Ribblesdale Stakes final field

HistoryRyan Moore
Life Of DreamsWilliam Buick
Magical LagoonShane Foley
MukaddamahJim Crowley
Mystic WellsBen Curtis
Sea Silk RoadTom Marquand

Rest of the card: The Antarctic heads Norfolk field

The Antarctic, one of Aidan O'Brien's leading juveniles of the week, will aim to take his unbeaten record to three and faces ten rivals in the Norfolk Stakes (2.30).

The son of Dark Angel is bred for speed being a full brother to top-class sprinter Battaash and has shone in two starts so far, most recently when winning at Naas last month.

Walbank and Pillow Talk – both impressive winners at York's Dante meeting – are among the chief opposition, while Bakeel and Brave Nation will also aim to maintain their perfect records in the 5f Group 2.

The King George V Stakes (3.05), Britannia Stakes (5.00), in which King Of Time aims to extend his unbeaten run to four, and the Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.10) have all attracted maximum fields and will be the regular conundrum for punters.

Tuesday at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: 'He's improving all the time' - find out who reckons they can beat Baaeed

3.05 Ascot: 'I really do believe he's the real deal' - Hannon excited about Coventry chance

3.40 Ascot: Golden Pal v Nature Strip: Wesley Ward and Chris Waller on their sprint stars

4.20 Ascot: Charlie Appleby bullish over 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in St James's Palace

5.00 Ascot: Royal Ascot or Cheltenham? It's Mullins v Elliott again in Ascot Stakes

5.35 Ascot: 'Hopefully he has a big chance' - Juan Elcano bids for a second Wolferton win

6.10 Ascot: is Aidan O'Brien's runner a handicap blot in the Copper Horse?

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