ASCOT 16:20 4n2t2w

Non Runners: TRUESHAN (FR).

Time: 4m 26.52s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.65s (112.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 112%, Betfair SP 100.4%

The big guns who remained following the latest ground-related withdrawal of division-leading Trueshan came to the fore in this year's Gold Cup, the front pair new additions to the staying scene and the third a stalwart having another crack at a record-equalling fourth win in this premier long-distance prize, his chance hindered after being hemmed in by an inspired Moore on Kyprios as the sprint began over 2f out after Earlofthecotswolds had been allowed to do his own thing in front.

KYPRIOS (IRE) became the fourth individual Aidan O'Brien-trained Gold Cup winner since the heyday of Yeats, whose record of 4 Gold Cup wins remains intact following Stradivarius' second successive failure to match that number, fittingly eclipsed by the latest Ballydoyle stayer with the potential to remain a fixture at the top of a division often shorn of Trueshan's presence alongside the wholesale absence of last year's winner Subjectivist; Kyprios has flourished with a clearer run at his racing this year following a couple of false dawns across his first 2 campaigns, each extra emphasis on stamina bringing out the best in him in tandem, though his speed for shorter was no bad thing on the day as it happened in a falsely-run renewal, sacrificing ground by coming wide as he held Stradivarius in but motoring by the time he edged ahead under 2f out and coming back for more after Mojo Star's own turn of pace had carried him to the front approaching the final 1f, back in front 100 yds out and battling well.

MOJO STAR (IRE) had missed 9 months since the Arc, adding another positive layer to an as-it-stands fine first effort in a Cup race, like Kyprios having the age on his side to believe he'll have plenty of success in similar events, with a first crack at revenge possibly on the cards as soon as Goodwood; the similarities with the winner don't begin and end with youthfulness, either, as his relative pace served him well the way this went, carried even wider than Kyprios but bursting to the front approaching the final 1f before he succumbed to a rival already up and running for the year; a first pattern-race success looks closer than ever.

STRADIVARIUS (IRE) was denied a fair crack of the whip for the second year in succession in his bid to Yeats on 4 Gold Cup wins, though even with another 12 months on his back he went much closer this time round, testament to his remarkable longevity, durability and enthusiasm; he was held in by the winner as the race was taking shape and forced to switch out for a run, closing gradually from there but unable to get on with a front pair half his age, both of whom had careers at shorter trips to call upon in a race that tested speed more than stamina.

BURNING VICTORY (FR) remains a hit-and-miss proposition as a hurdler but can't be faulted in the slightest for the record she's compiled on the Flat since ing this stable, adding another in-frame finish in an even more high-profile staying prize to her second in the Cesarewitch when last seen in this sphere, tanking into things up the inner having taken a strong hold in rear but unable to get to the first 3 late on, not that she wilted (clear of the rest).

TASHKHAN (IRE) wasn't up to the task up further in class, at least in another speed-testing race on firmish ground, beaten a similar margin by Stradivarius as in the Yorkshire Cup; chased leader, led entering straight, headed over 2f out, not quicken; the Long Distance Cup on likely more testing ground would give him better claims in a Group 1, though reigning dual winner Trueshan will also stand in his way then.

PRINCESS ZOE (GER) failed to hit the same heights as in the 2021 edition (when Stradivarius a place behind), in touch but already flat out when short of room as Kyprios edged across her around 2f out; she was later found to have been suffering with heat stress.

BUBBLE SMART wasn't up to this better company; handy, outpaced entering straight.

ALIGNAK wasn't good enough up in grade back in Britain after 12 weeks off; held up, headway under pressure briefly 2f out, made little impression.

EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS (FR) predictably had his winning run ended against most of the best stayers around 9 weeks on from the All-Weather Marathon; led until entering straight, left behind quickly.