Trawlerman makes all the running to net Gold Cup at Ascot
TRAWLERMAN MADE EVERY yard of the running in the Gold Cup to go one better than last year for John and Thady Gosden in the Royal Ascot highlight.
Trawlerman and William Buick on their way to victory. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo
Second to Kyprios 12 months ago, the Godolphin-owned seven-year-old took full advantage of the dual winner's retirement under an excellently-judged ride from William Buick.
Illinois, who had stepped into Kyprios' shoes for Aidan O'Brien, was well placed if good enough, but inside the final furlong Trawlerman (85-40 favourite) began to pull away and ran out an impressive seven-length winner. Dubai Future was third for Saeed bin Suroor in the Godolphin colours.
Advertisement
More to follow . . .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
26 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 11-2 NAP on day four
TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing from Royal Ascot confident of bashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals ZAHRANN (5.35 Ascot, nap) Zahrann is the man in the £250,000 King Edward VII Stakes. He looked like a machine when winning a Listed contest at Leopardstown last time despite being green on just his third run. He picked up strongly and powered home like a class act. Trainer Johnny Murtagh tasted lots of Ascot success as a jockey and has a potential superstar on his hands. ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40 Ascot, nb) Pulled too hard when fourth in this Duke of Edinburgh Stakes last year. He has since improved over hurdles and Ryan Moore can settle him better to land the win. SIGNORA (2.30 Ascot, treble) Can add to Aidan O'Brien's brilliant tally with his two-year-olds this week. This daughter of Frankel looked really promising when finishing third on debut in a Naas Group 3. The yard's juveniles usually come on a bundle for their first outing. Templegate's verdicts Most read in Horse Racing 2.30 SIGNORA can turn the tables on Green Sense from their clash at Naas last month. That Group 3 was the tip's debut and she was very green and not asked too many questions. With Royal Ascot winners on both sides of her pedigree, she's got the profile to take a big step forward second time out. Green Sense herself had previously brushed aside the colts when winning at The Curragh on debut and is in the place picture. Fitzella impressed when making all at Haydock after a close second at Ascot. She beat Tahalel – who will improve for that run – comfortably and looks a player. Venetian Sun justified favouritism at Carlisle when ridden out to score, and the form of that race stands up. With improvement expected over this extra furlong, she won't be far away. Gold Digger showed promise when winning at Yarmouth and Jamie Spencer suits her hold-up style. 3.05 BABOUCHE is on the loose in today's £725,000 Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (3.05). She has looked speedy for Irish trainer Ger Lyons and was good enough to blow away Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket in last year's Phoenix Stakes. Babouche warmed up with a smooth Group 3 success at Naas last time and can improve again under top rider Colin Keane who is desperate to reward his loyal gaffer with a big winner. Shadow Of Light ran a cracker when third in the 2,000 Guineas. He showed loads of boot but didn't stay the mile. This should be an ideal trip. Templegate's runner-by-runner guide to the Commonwealth Cup AIN'T NOBODY 2 BODY blow. Royal Ascot winner last year and holding form well in Group races including when fifth in the Sandy Lane last time. He goes on any ground and likes it here but he looks a Mr Nobody in this. ARABIE 1 BYE Bie. Dual French Group winner at two but not progressed. Blinkers didn't spark much at Chantilly. Has looked short of Group 1 class. ARIZONA BLAZE 3 HOT Blaze. Group 3 winner and no disgrace when sixth at Haydock last time. Looks a pure speed horse and likely to force the pace again. Won't mind this ground and has a decent draw. Needs more to win but has a place shout. BERKSHIRE WHISPER 2 SHIRE hell. Did well on the sand this winter over this trip. This is tougher on turf but he's tough and improving. Trainer's red-hot but this is much the stiffest opposition he's faced. BIG MOJO 4 BIG player. Won Pavilion Stakes at Ascot and shaped well again in the Sandy Lane last time. He always gives his running and went close at the Breeders' Cup. Has speed, gears and heart – solid each-way contender with course form in the bank. DIABLO ROJO 2 ROJO no. Neck second to Big Mojo in the Pavilion Stakes and showed decent pace there. He likes to come from just off a strong pace and should get that here. He'll be doing his best work late so will need some luck in running. Looks a bit short of this standard. IDES OF MARCH 3 BEWARE Ides. Curragh Group 3 winner last summer and twice placed in Listed company this season. Didn't quite fire when held in a Newbury Listed contest last time but was fine with this trip. He's solid and doesn't mind quick ground. Faces smarter rivals here but won't be far away from the frame. JONQUIL 4 JON the money. Beaten just a head in French 2,000 Guineas and landed the Greenham before that over seven furlongs. He's taking a fair drop back in trip here but trainer Andrew Balding reckons he has six-furlong speed. Fascinating contender making his sprinting debut. SHADOW OF LIGHT 4 LIGHT fantastic. Dewhurst and Middle Park winner last year. Lost unbeaten record when third in the 2,000 Guineas but travelled powerfully and was just outstayed. The effort screamed six furlongs and Charlie Appleby has wasted no time. Very classy and a major threat despite yard's dire recent Royal record. SOLDIER'S HEART 2 HEART not in it. Ripon Listed winner last year and fifth at Chantilly on return after long break. Clearly needed it and will strip fitter now. Capable at this level, but will need his very best form. STRONG WARRIOR 2 WARR needs more. Unbeaten in first two and just edged out on handicap debut at Windsor. Lightly raced with a big engine he is clearly talented — but this is a huge step up in class. WHISTLEJACKET 4 JACK in the box. Top juvenile last year and Group 1 winner in France over this trip. Been beaten by Babouche twice but still ran with credit. Clearly has Group 1 class and acts on all ground. Middle draw looks good and Ryan Moore in the saddle. ARABIAN DUSK 3 DUSK may dawn. Duchess Of Cambridge winner and close second in the Sandy Lane at Haydock last time. Proven over six furlongs, handles all going and thrives in big fields. Tactically versatile so worth a place shout at long odds. BABOUCHE 5 LAND a touche. Phoenix Stakes winner last season and looked right back to best when thrashing Whistlejacket in the Lacken. Quickens up smartly and stays well. Peaking at the right time and is a major player from what should be an ideal draw. CARLA RIDGE 2 HIGH Ridge. Maiden winner at Naas and placed behind Babouche in Group 3 at Naas last time. Probably needs 7f and likely to find this test too sharp at this stage. Still learning but big task in this company. LADY WITH THE LAMP 3 LAMP lit. Improving filly with Listed wins on turf and AW this season. Got up late to win at Chelmsford latest and finishes strongly. Yet to prove she's Group 1 class but arrives in form and trainer going well — outside each-way squeak. LEOVANNI 3 VAN can motor. Won Queen Mary last year and finished full of running after traffic problems in fourth on return at Haydock. Might be peaking again just in time. Strong traveller and each-way shout if things open up. RAYEVKA 3 RAY of light. French Listed winner last time, quickened smartly and pulled clear late over this trip. One of the least exposed in the field and could be dangerous if she gets cover and delivers late which won't be easy. SAYIDAH DARIYAN 2 SAY no. Consistent filly who's been steadily climbing the ranks. with a Listed third last time. She lacks star quality but never runs a bad race. Likely to find a few of these too good. SHISOSPICY 2 TOO Spicy. American raider who landed a hat-trick on quick ground at Churchill Downs. An unknown quantity and not ruled out for a place — although US horses often fail to stay this far. SKY MAJESTY 2 SKY fall. Group 2 winner in France last season in the mud but only third on return at Chelmsford behind Sayidah Dariyan. Must bounce back sharply to get seriously involved here but this is just her fifth run. TIME FOR SANDALS 3 SANDALS has boot. Narrowly beaten in a French Group 3 last time and improving with every run. Has speed, class and trainer Harry Eustace is in excellent form. Low draw not ideal but one of many in the field who could place at long odds. 3.40 ETHICAL DIAMOND was a close fourth in this race last year off just 2lb lower when pulling too hard. He's since finished a strong fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and wears a hood for the first time on the Flat. If that helps Ryan Moore to settle him, he clearly has the engine for a race like this. The biggest threat may come from Stressfree , who was narrowly denied by Almosh'her at York before swooping late to win a good race at Haydock. He's had a nudge up the weights but his 1m4f form is stacking up nicely. Almosh'her himself has done little wrong, winning three of four starts. Now with Wathnan Racing, he's drawn wide and has tended to race freely, which could test his progress under pressure. French Duke is another key player. He was progressing well last season, winning at Goodwood and finishing second here in October. He remains unexposed. Auld Toon Loon is flying for his new yard and was just denied at Chester last time. He stays 1m4f and is still on the upgrade. 4.20 FALAKEYAH can repay the faith of her connections who forked out £46,000 to supplement her for this race. She caught the eye on her sole juvenile start on the sand but really came to the fore when making all in Listed company at Newmarket last time. She raced keenly over 1m2f there but simply wasn't for catching and the drop back in trip here could suit. She skipped both the English and French Oaks with this challenge in mind. Zarigana is the obvious threat. A granddaughter of the mighty Zarkava, she was awarded the French 1,000 Guineas by the stewards after interference and went down narrowly in the Boussac last year. She's won four of her last five and her upward curve may not have peaked yet. Coronation Stakes trends You should stay north of 108 in the official ratings when trying to pick the winner. That's bad news for Cathedral, Cercene, Falakeyah, January and Kon Tiki. Stick with horses with no more than one defeat this season. Duty First, Exactly, Flight and Simmering come up short on that score. Chantilly Lace was fifth last time which is far from ideal which leaves just one horse standing – ZARIGANA. Exactly , third in that same French Guineas, brings toughness and consistency. She's never run a bad race and could easily be in the mix again for Ballydoyle. Although she's not the choice of Ryan Moore who is on January. She was second in the Fillies' Mile last season and looked rusty in the Irish Guineas on comeback. She should leave that form behind here. Kon Tiki is unexposed and unbeaten in three, with a Listed win at York the latest step forward. William Buick gets the leg up for the first time for Jane Chapple-Hyam who doesn't chase rainbows. Chantilly Lace wasn't disgraced when fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and is open to more. Cercene has shown consistency without winning, while Duty First looks better over 7f and may struggle to stay. Cathedral has plenty to prove after a tame reappearance and, like Simmering , looks well short of this standard. 5.00 SILVER GHOST can spook the bookies for trainer Emma Lavelle. She bolted up in seven-furlong handicaps on good ground at Newmarket and Goodwood, travelling strongly and looking classy. The handicapper reacted with an 8lb hike but that may not be enough to put the brakes on. The step up to a mile looks ideal for this fast-improving type. The King has an each-way chance with Purple Rainbow who needed the run on comeback here in April and Warren Fentiman is good value for his 5lb claim. Miss Nightfall met trouble in running when second to the tip at Goodwood and also shapes as if this stiff mile will suit. Sea Poetry looks potentially overpriced given her HQ win last season reads well and she hasn't been disgraced behind good sorts this term. Sandringham Stakes trends Stick with horses that finished in the first three last time. Tabiti, Serving With Style, Mojave River, Sweet Chariot, Amangani, Nancy J, Trad Jazz, Cartwheel, Purple Rainbow and Bassadanza. Oolong Poobong, Saariselka, Dash Of Azure, Cajole, Sea Poetry, Annsar, Dancing Teapot, Alfareqa, Ryke, Arabian Leopard and Eazy On The Eye are too low in the official ratings. Bountiful has been off for too long and can be crossed out. A win this season is a plus so Betty Clover, Serving With Style, Miss Nightfall and Never Let Go can go. That leaves Silver Ghost, Supermodel and Zgharta. SUPERMODEL looks good for William Haggas who has a strong record in handicaps like this. The other two are backable at each-way prices and are well drawn so have every chance of making the frame. Tabiti could outclass these if handling a big-field handicap. She won a Group 3 before finishing midfield in the Fillies' Mile and returns in first-time blinkers on handicap debut. Irish raider Dancing Teapot looks the type to improve plenty now handicapping in cheekpieces. Never Let Go was unlucky not to win a Listed race last time – this stiff mile might be right up her alley. Dash Of Azure was impressive at Kempton on comeback and won't be far away for Ralph Beckett. 5.35 ZAHRANN is a colt who still doesn't know how good he is. He missed the kick and was green as grass in a Leopardstown Listed race last time yet still burned past all of them to win going away. That was just his third run and the way he did it – powering clear despite inexperience – screamed Group 1 potential. If he grows up a bit, they might not see which way he went. The unbeaten Amiloc is the obvious danger. He comes here with a perfect record after four wins including at Listed level. He stayed on strongly at Goodwood and will be even more dangerous if settling better. Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with Puppet Master who's improving with every run. He won the Lingfield Derby Trial last time after shaping well in the Ballysax. He's a threat. Don't rule out Convergent , who finished third in the Chester Vase. He was behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff – the Derby first and second. That's rock-solid form and he's still learning his craft. Wimbledon Hawkeye has turned up for every dance. He was second in the Craven, fifth in the Guineas, third in the Dante. He's gritty, reliable and should stay the trip with cheekpieces added. He has every chance of making the frame. Nightwalker bombed at Epsom but that wasn't his track – and it showed. He finished well in the Dante and now gets blinkers on a proper galloping course. That should bring improvement. Galveston cost 'The Lads' at Ballydoyle a cool £2m and showed more when winning at Naas last month. This longer trip should suit him. It's early days for Opportunity who was behind Amiloc at Goodwood after being hampered. He could close the eight-length gap between them today. 6.10 REALIGN can strike on handicap debut from what looks a lenient opening mark of 93. William Haggas' colt oozed class at Salisbury last month, hammering his rivals on comeback. That was over six furlongs but he's got more than enough pace for this drop to the minimum. Stormy Impact looks dangerous after rattling home to win the Epsom 3YO Dash in some style. She's up 5lb but has a blistering turn of foot and this stiffer track might suit even better. Ruby's Profit was a good third in that race when forcing the pace and is back from the same handicap mark with a chance. He was beaten by Redorange at Chester last month who made the most of a good draw. He's 9lb higher now so will have to pull out more. Hammer The Hammer made it three wins on the spin at Chester with lots left in the locker. He's another who has been racing over further but he likes to blast off from the front so this stiff five furlongs should be fine. Jorge Alvares warrants respect after a decent effort at The Curragh 16 days ago. He looks fairly handicapped for Ger Lyons. Maw Lam drops down from Listed and Group company with a 7lb claimer on board to make his mark workable. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Mississippi River blitzs rivals at Leopardstown
Aidan O'Brien built on his spectacular Royal Ascot treble when Mississippi River, in first-time blinkers, blitzed his rivals in the BoyleSports Smart Racecard Rated Race in Leopardstown. Stable apprentice Jack Cleary seized this latest opportunity on the powerfully-built Lope De Vega colt, dictating the pace, with Wizard Of Odds for company. But, when Cleary allowed the 11/8 favourite to stretch clear off the home-turn, the outcome was in in no doubt. And Cleary could afford to ease him down close home and still have four and a quarter lengths to spare over runner-up Joyful Princess. Cleary, who also partnered Mississippi River to his maiden success in Navan, explained 'Just like Navan, I kept it simple. He was nice and relaxed early but picked-up when the other horse eye-balled him. He jumped, travelled and really picked-up. He's comfortable at that trip (a mile), but should stay a mile and a quarter.' And Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong added 'We declared him. for the 'Britannia' (at Royal Ascot earlier yesterday), but he was third reserve and not getting in, and this looked a lovely opportunity for him. He's in two handicaps at the Curragh next week and might go there.' Having his third run on the flat, and his first over a realistic trip, A Dream To Share, trained for JP McManus by John and Thomas Kiely, delivered in the concluding Leopardstown Members (Amateur) Race. Re-united with John Gleeson and smashed in the betting into ½, the seven-year-old, a five-time, bumper-winner, brushed aside his rivals under hands and heels riding, beating Royal Hollow, readily, by a length and a half. Gleeson commented 'I'm delighted to get back on him and to get his head back in front – he's been a very good horse for me. We went steady and I was able to pick-up the pieces in the straight.' And Frank Berry stated 'They didn't go quick, but he travelled away nicely and picked up – he couldn't have done it any better. 'We'll see where we go from here – we might go back over hurdles with him, but we'll need to keep an eye on the ground.' Joseph O'Brien provided Declan McDonogh with the first leg of an early double as newcomer Dial Me In overcame a tardy start and had to weave his way thought the field before getting up on the line to pip gambled-on favourite Sound Bite. 'That didn't go to plan,' said O'Brien's assistant Michael Halford. 'He was very slow out and Declan had to be patient. But the colt showed a lot of courage and grit and just got there. He should improve plenty.' McDonogh followed-up when Ciaran Murphy's filly Finsceal Annie, successful over course and distance (in much soft ground) last week, defied a 7lb penalty in the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap, prompting her rider to comment 'She's a versatile filly, on the up. They're talking about going to Galway – she might be good around there.' *Apprentice Dylan O'Connor received an eight-day whip ban following his handling of El Bello in a division of the Jerry Fish Handicap.
The 42
4 hours ago
- The 42
England's Freeman can be the 'untidy' wing that Farrell likes
ONE OF THE biggest compliments that Andy Farrell has given James Lowe is that the Ireland left wing 'finds a way into the game… he's not a tidy player.' Farrell clarified that this was a compliment. 'But neither do we want our wingers to be tidy players,' said the Ireland boss. This was before Mack Hansen had even made his debut for Ireland, but it's obvious that the Connacht man also fits this description. Lowe and Hansen are creative players who roam off their wings and make things happen. They're as likely to put a team-mate into a hole as break through themselves. Both players have sharp finishing instincts, but there is more to their games than tries. Farrell's Ireland have been a structured attacking team but he has pushed players like Lowe and Hansen to add an unpredictable edge, to make things messy for the defence just when they think they know what's coming. 'You don't want to become too structured so that we just become predictable, like a training-ground side,' said Farrell. Advertisement 'We don't want an attack that's too tidy, we want to play what's in front of us. The game's all about decision-making.' Lowe and Hansen are both in Farrell's Lions squad now. Hansen will make his return from injury off the bench against Argentina tomorrow, while Lowe will likely make his first appearance in the red jersey next weekend against the Force in Perth. Both will be eyeing Test spots on the wings but they've got competition. Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe starts on the left wing tomorrow against Argentina as he makes his first appearance since an ankle injury in March. The Scot is a serious finisher and a remarkable athlete, but he is not a ballplayer. He doesn't seem to fit the roaming mould of wing Farrell likes. That's not to say Farrell doesn't like massive, fast fellas who can score wonder tries. Freeman at Lions training in Dublin this week. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo More obviously in the Farrell mould is England and Northampton's Tommy Freeman, who starts on the right wing tomorrow and is favourite to be there for the Tests. He's excited by the prospect of the Lions pushing him to roam. 'I think that's the way I play anyway, but I also think it's the way a winger has to be these days,' said Freeman in Dublin this week. 'You don't want wingers staying on the wing and going quiet for phases of games. You want them popping up to inject a bit of pace and power and create that extra number. If you're standing on your wing and being a bit lazy, that's where you miss some opportunities.' Freeman goes as far as to suggest that he nearly prefers assists to scoring himself. 'I always say setting up a try is as good as scoring one. I'm sure that's the biggest lie you've ever heard!' When he feels he's had a good game, Freeman bases it on far more than scoring or assisting. He looks at the number of touches he's had, defensive contributions, and aerial contests. 'If you can get the ball back in the air and give your team an attacking opportunity, then that's a big tick for me,' he says. 'You judge yourself on all different bits of the game, not just the try scoring. For me it's about getting as many involvements as possible. The more times I can get involved and the more touches I get, the better for me.' Freeman is many people's favourite to start the Tests on the right wing. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 24-year-old Freeman can also play at outside centre, while he was at fullback for nearly the entire Champions Cup final against Bordeaux after early injuries in the Saints backline. Freeman has even filled in at out-half before. He believes that positional flexibility has helped him to become a better wing. In fact, Freeman says that it's basically 'a centre playing on the wing these days,' given all the demands on wide men. 'The flexibility at 13 and 14 allows you to pick up different cues,' says Freeman. 'Defensively, if you're at 14 you know you can make good calls not to put your 13 under pressure and vice versa. That does really help. If I can be the guy who connects guys, I'm happy.' Related Reads 'Maybe I was tricking myself' - Sexton on his full-time return to rugby Irish performance coach Gary Keegan joins Farrell's Lions Standing 6ft 3ins tall and weighing more than 100kg, Freeman is a powerful, aggressive presence. He competes well in the air, breaks tackles, has speed, and doesn't shirk defensive contact either. His form this season suggests that Freeman is well set for a big Lions tour. 'We want to be playing heads-up rugby,' says the Englishman. 'You've got the set-piece and some structure, but outside of that it's about seeing space and doing what you can to put pressure on.' Farrell couldn't have said it better himself.
