Trawlerman & Dubai Future going for Gold in staying highlight

Trawlerman bids to go one place better than 2024 in the G1 Gold Cup, with Dubai Future also chasing success in the long-distance showpiece of the season on day three of Royal Ascot, Thursday, 19 June.

Seven-year-old Trawlerman ran a superb race to go down by a length to Kyprios in the two-and-a-half-mile marathon 12 months ago, having edged out the same horse in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October, 2023.

Trained by John & Thady Gosden, the son of Golden Horn warmed up for this year’s race with an easy five-length success in last month’s G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park.

Dubai Future is aiming to become the first nine-year-old since 1842 to win the Gold Cup, although the Saeed bin Suroor-trained son of Dubawi has enjoyed a renaissance in the staying ranks this year.

An impressive winner of the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan in February, Dubai Future decisively accounted for a top-quality field in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Dubai World Cup Night – a race in which Trawlerman finished fifth.

The 2022 Listed Wolferton Stakes victor returns to Royal Ascot after failing to give his running on good to soft going in the G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in France.

John Gosden said: “Trawlerman stays the two and a half miles and will run in his usual style, making it a test for everybody else. This is still a good Gold Cup, even without Kyprios, and will take plenty of winning. You need a horse that gets the trip, which we know Trawlerman does.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future won two good staying races out in Dubai, but this distance will be something new for him. He has been working well and, if he can relax during the race, it will hopefully give him a chance of staying the distance.”

Speedy juvenile Wise Approach, who made a winning debut for Charlie Appleby over the course and distance in April, lines up in the G2 Norfolk Stakes. The Mehmas colt returns to five furlongs after coming home fourth under a penalty in a six-furlong novice race at York.

Charlie Appleby said: “We are delighted with Wise Approach. We will have to see how the draw pans out, as we are drawn on the other side to Charles Darwin, but I couldn’t fault our horse. He loves quick ground and ticks a few boxes.”

Tornado Alert also steps down in trip for the 10-furlong G3 Hampton Court Stakes, with the G1 2,000 Guineas fourth having faded to sixth in the G1 Derby on his latest outing. The Too Darn Hot colt is trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who took this race with subsequent multiple G1 winner Benbatl in 2017.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Tornado Alert came out of the Derby in good order and coming back to a mile and a quarter will suit. I’m hoping for a good result.”

Masai Moon concedes weight all round as he tackles a mile and a half for the first time in the King George V Stakes, with the Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old having won two of his three career starts.

Charlie Appleby said: “Masai Moon is drawn slightly wide in 13 and will need luck in running, although stepping up to a mile is going to suit. He will enjoy the ground as well, so we have a few positives.”

Chelmsford maiden winner Arabian Story (Saeed bin Suroor) races on turf for the first time on his handicap debut in the Britannia Stakes. Fifth Column (John & Thady Gosden), successful on both his appearances so far this year, runs in the same race. 
 
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Arabian Story won well at Chelmsford and heads here in good form. A mile is the right distance for him and I think he has a good chance.”