The Copper Horse Stakes is a handicap run over 1m6f. It takes place at 18:10 on Tuesday 20th June, which is the first day of Royal Ascot 2023. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

2⁽⁴⁾

6411-2

Sam Cooke

J: Rob Hornby

T: Ralph Beckett

9-11

104

112

7yo who was better than ever when winning his final two starts last season (1m6f/1m4f, good) and posted another career best when second of 15 at York on last month's reappearance; another 2lb higher today but clearly thriving and has to be respected; he's versatile ground-wise.

10⁽¹⁹⁾

004-73

Raymond Tusk

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

9-8

101

112

Beaten only 4l when seventh in this last year (good to firm) and now 4lb lower; kept on for encouraging third at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last month after a break and could benefit from today's step back up in trip, but there's a firm suspicion he'll be vulnerable in this hot contest.

9⁽⁵⁾

40165-

Alright Sunshine

J: Billy Garritty

T: Keith Dalgleish

9-8

101

113

Absent since last November and this is a tough reappearance assignment; however, he kept on for fourth of 16 in this race last year (good to firm; 2lb higher today) and is not ruled out each-way at a big price.

13⁽¹⁸⁾

2471/1

Postileo

J: James Doyle

T: Roger Varian

9-5

113

Won at Doncaster (14.5f, soft) in October 2021 and returned from a long absence to follow up belatedly at Hamilton (1m5f, good to soft) last month; has shown promise on fast ground; this 6yo has raced only ten times and could have more left in the tank for his good trainer; a possible.

1⁽⁹⁾

823069

Get Shirty

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-12

105

Won this last year (good to firm) and followed up off today's 6lb higher mark at Haydock (1m4f, soft); good runs at Meydan and Riyadh in February and faced a tough task in the Yorkshire Cup last month, but he was also well beaten back in a handicap just ten days ago and needs to get back on track.

12⁽¹¹⁾

4-1250

Berkshire Rocco

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-6

115

Runner-up in St Leger in 2020 and won on AW this January on third start back from an absence; perhaps soft ground wasn't ideal when back on grass last month but his claims are hardly compelling on the back of that.

3⁽³⁾

910-01

Cemhaan

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

9-11

104

110

Four-time turf winner (1m4f/1m6f, soft/good to firm) who won by 5l at Kempton (1m4f, AW) last month; it was a career best last time so it's possible he still has more to offer, but he benefited from an easy lead and may be found out by the combination of a 9lb rise and the step back up in grade.

6⁽⁶⁾

1/67-1

Aaddeey

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

9-10

103

114

Broke more alertly to make all on stable debut at Ripon (1m4f, soft) in April, when returning from an absence and wind surgery; enjoyed the run of the race and this is much hotter, but it remains to be seen how far he can go for this yard; has won on good ground, unraced on faster.

8⁽¹⁰⁾

/3127-

Absurde

J: Frankie Dettori

T: W P Mullins

9-8

101

115

Two 1m2f Flat wins in France and twice went close in Listed races (9.5f/1m2f); easy winner at 2-7 on last month's hurdle/stable debut at Killarney (2m4f, good) and the step up in trip is an interesting move now back on the Flat; one of two for his top Irish trainer and no surprise to see a big run.

7⁽⁷⁾

4411/

Vauban

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

9-8

101

Won French Listed race (1m4f, soft) in 2021 on final Flat start and has since become a high-class hurdler for this yard, winning the Triumph Hurdle in March 2022 and finishing second in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle (2m, yielding) this April; could be well treated now back on the Flat and top Irish trainer has enjoyed plenty of success at this meeting; unraced on fast ground.

16⁽¹⁴⁾

2-7559

Charging Thunder

J: Jason Watson

T: David O'Meara

9-4

115

Won three times in small fields last summer (1m4f-1m6f, good/good to firm); ran okay in Dubai early this year but was unplaced each time and now returns from a four-month break; wears a first-time tongue-tie; others arrive with stronger credentials.

5⁽¹⁵⁾

15/51-

Scriptwriter

J: David Egan

T: Milton Harris

9-11

104

112

Promise at up to 1m2f during short Flat career for Aidan O'Brien; all but one of his runs for this yard have been over hurdles (won juvenile Grade 2), the exception a 1m4f AW win last December; this is tougher but he may have untapped potential at 1m6f; handles good/soft, unraced on good to firm.

11⁽⁸⁾

/130-7

Gaassee

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9-8

101

114

Finished lame when well-beaten favourite in the Ebor last August and, having been gelded, came last in Group 3 at Newbury last month; has something to prove but this 5yo is in top hands and remains lightly raced, and looked very promising when completing a four-timer at York last May; not written off.

4⁽¹⁶⁾

1119-2

Point King

J: James McDonald

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-11

104

113

Just one 2yo run and went 3-3 in 3yo campaign when winning Listed race at Leopardstown (1m6f, good); soft ground may not have suited next time; reappeared with short-head defeat in Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m6f, good) and this very lightly raced 4yo could have potential off today's mark.

14⁽¹²⁾

21-1

Ruling Dynasty

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-4

116

Second on debut at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) last April and has won both starts since, at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last October and Haydock (11.6f, good to firm) 11 days ago; thrown in at the deep end for today's handicap debut but this well-bred, unexposed 4yo could have lots more to offer.

15⁽¹³⁾

5131-1

Chillingham

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

9-4

114

Two wins last year from his first four starts (1m2f/1m4f, good to firm/soft) and he reappeared with a commanding handicap win at Thirsk (1m4f, soft) in April; 7lb higher in a better grade here but the ceiling of his ability is yet to be identified and therefore he's one for the shortlist.

RACING POST TIP

Vauban

High-class hurdler VAUBAN looks to be on an attractive mark now back on the Flat and can take this for Willie Mullins, who does well at this meeting. His stablemate Absurde is a fascinating contender, along with the unexposed Godolphin runner Ruling Dynasty, but the main danger could come from Chillingham who is 2-2 in handicaps and whose trainer Ed Bethell is enjoying an excellent season. Sam Cooke, Point King and Postileo arrive on the back of positive performances and are entitled to respect.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

Tudhope did not have to wait long for his second winner of Royal Ascot 2022 when Get Shirty also sprang a minor surprise. Sent off at 16-1, the six-year-old defied trouble in running to give Tudhope another big winner at the royal meeting. It was also David O’Meara’s first victory at last year’s royal meeting.

Copper Horse Stakes Handicap

18:10 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races