Ascot Gold Cup 2016: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Timeform
15 June 2016

Mizzou lines up for his second crack at the Gold Cup at Ascot on Thursday

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Timeform bring you their runner-by-runner guide to the Group 1 Gold Cup on day three of Royal Ascot 2016...

"Order of St George produced the best staying performance in Europe last year in the Irish St Leger..."

Gold Cup
Ascot
Thursday June 16, 16:20

Clever Cookie
Ended last year with length second to Flying Officer in Long Distance Cup here. Didn't need to improve to win Yorkshire Cup last time by ½ length from Curbyourenthusiasm, and he will likely stay 2½m.

Curbyourenthusiasm
Progressed well in handicaps in 2015, winning 3 times. Picked up where he left off when half-length second to Clever Cookie in the Yorkshire Cup at York on his return and will be suited by this trip.

Flying Officer
Hasn't stood much racing, but he's very smart on his day. Came out best horse at the weights when third behind Mizzou and Clever Cookie in the Sagaro Stakes and clearly merits consideration.

Fun Mac
Smart stayer who ran a gallant second in the Ascot Stakes over C&D at this meeting last year, and excellent second to Mille et Mille in Prix du Cadran later. Goes well fresh, but this is a tough ask.

Griraz
Useful performer on Flat in France last year, winning 3 times. Claimed for €18,000 in October, but has plenty to find at this level on debut for new connections. Wears tongue strap.

Max Dynamite
Made up into a very smart performer on the Flat last year, finishing an excellent second in the Melbourne Cup. Not at best behind Pallasator on return, but he can leave that form behind now.

Mille et Mille
Improved plenty in France last year, winning Group 1 Prix du Cadran over this distance at Longchamp in October. Made respectable return in Chantilly Group 3, but clearly needs to build on that.

Mizzou
Made another winning reappearance in the Sagaro Stakes from Clever Cookie and Flying Officer in April. Still lightly raced for a 5-y-o so could have more to offer and he's one to consider.

Pallasator
Tends to prove troublesome in the preliminaries/on way to post but is a very smart stayer, as he showed when winning Henry II Stakes at Sandown on return. One of the more likely types on form.

Scotland
Hasn't won since 2-y-o days, but he has some smart form to his name. Arguably best effort when sixth in this last year and shaped well on return over an inadequate trip. Could sneak a place.

Sheikhzayedroad
Goes well at Meydan and also has good record fresh, so no surprise he made winning return there in Group 3 over 1¾m. Not disgraced in Dubai Sheema Classic since, but goes beyond 2m first time now.

Suegioo
Last win came in Chester Cup in 2014, but has run creditably in top staying events since. Only able to pick up the scraps late on behind Pallasator last time, and will likely prove vulnerable again.

Burmese
Progressive stayer last year, who made excellent return behind several of these in Sagaro Stakes. Disappointing 7¾ lengths behind Pallasator at Sandown since, though. Cheekpieces reached for.

Order of St George
High-class colt who put up a truly devastating performance in the Irish St Leger last year and confirmed well-being with comfortable success at Leopardstown this month. Very much the one to beat.

The Twisler
Won handicap at Salisbury and listed race at Goodwood (by 3 lengths from Fun Mac) in 2015. Far from discredited in German Group 3 on return last month, but this a different ball game.

Wasir
Smart performer who improved this year winning Group 3 Oleander-Rennen at Hoppegarten in May by 2 lengths from Alex My Boy. Has something to find with a lot of his rivals, though.

Tiberian
Smart performer. Won minor event at Fontainebleau in 2015 and good efforts in listed race at Maisons-Laffitte and Group 3 at Saint-Cloud this year. Other seemingly have more pressing claims, however.

Kicky Blue
Won twice in 2015, including listed race at Chantilly. Career-best effort when 1½ lengths second to Mille et Mille in Prix du Cadran at Longchamp and made respectable return in April.

Timeform Gold Cup 1-2-3

1. Order of St George
2. Clever Cookie
3. Max Dynamite

Timeform Analyst's Verdict

ORDER OF ST GEORGE produced the best staying performance in Europe last year in the Irish St Leger, and confirmed his well-being with a comfortable success at Leopardstown this month, so he is taken to further enhance his master trainer's already excellent record in this prestigious race. The ground has come right for Clever Cookie, while Max Dynamite and Mizzou look set to be involved, also.

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