Soaring temperatures and quick ground look set to rule Scope out of Gold Cup

Julian Richmond-Watson, owner-breeder of leading Gold Cup contender Scope, has warned the Group 1 winner would be an unlikely runner in Thursday's Royal Ascot showpiece if the word 'firm' remains in the going description.

The ground at Ascot was described as good to firm, good in places on Saturday and, with no sign of rain before the conclusion of the five-day meeting next Saturday, there is a strong possibility both Scope and Trueshan, who also prefers cut in the ground, will be missing from the Gold Cup line-up.

"Sadly, without the rain I can't see us going there," Richmond-Watson said. "It will have to have good or good to soft in it. If it's got any firm in it I don't see us going."

"He's in very good form. He ran really well at Newbury and we were thrilled with him. We'll wait and see but the forecast is looking hotter and hotter and I fear if that's the case we won't turn up. It's a shame as I'd love to be there."

Scope came of age in the staying division last year, winning the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot before a first win at the highest level in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in October.

After making an encouraging return to action over a mile and a half at Newbury last month, the Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old had been a general 6-1 shot for the Gold Cup.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Kyprios heads the Gold Cup market at a general 2-1, with three-time winner Stradivarius next best at 5-2.

Gold Cup (4.20 Thursday)

Betfair: 2 Kyprios, 5-2 Stradivarius, 7-2 Trueshan, 6 Scope, 8 Princess Zoe, 14 Mojo Star, 20 Earlofthecotswolds, 25 Burning Victory, 33 bar

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