Gosdens mix it up as Stradivarius impresses in final Gold Cup preparation

Stradivarius was given a taste of something new on Tuesday morning as trainers John and Thady Gosden put the finishing touches to the seven-year-old’s bid to emulate staying legend Yeats by winning a fourth Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The joint-trainers gave the superstar stayer a workout on the July course in Newmarket for the first time in his six-year career, and Stradivarius looked in rude health as he swept out of the Dip under Frankie Dettori to top off his preparation for the royal meeting.

Afterwards, John Gosden described Stradivarius as "ready to roll" for the Gold Cup, in which he will face a new rival in the shape of the Mark Johnston-trained Subjectivist, yesterday confirmed on course for the race.