Promoted powerhouse of the staying division ILLINOIS can fly the flag for favourite backers in the £650,000 Ascot Gold Cup. The four-year-old leapt to the top of Ballydoyle’s pecking order when Aidan O’Brien called time on the career of dual champion Kyprios.

A very smart horse in his own right, Illinois was ridden like a confirmed stayer when he scooped the Queen’s Vase here in 2024. Seen again over 1m 6f, the son of all-time great stallion Galileo gave generously in a nip-and-tuck battle for the St Leger at Doncaster.

And Illinois showed the same gritty attitude to master Trafalgar Square in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp. Stamina for 2m4f has to be taken on trust but he has given every indication it will suit and O’Brien has found ideal candidates for nine renewals including four-time race record-holder Yeats.

A clear second 12 months ago, Trawlerman is rated the main danger after racing to a five-length supremacy in the Henry II at Sandown. Fellow John and Thady Gosden trainee, consistent gelding Sweet William, has a place chance once again.

The Scout’s Gold Cup Verdict: 1 Illinois 2 Trawlerman 3 Sweet William

1 Coltrane

Loves the royal venue, finishing 2nd and 5th in the last two editions of the meeting’s feature race. However has been below his best this term and needs to make up plenty of ground on Trawlerman from Sandown.

2 Dubai Future

Addition of a hood is presumably an aid to help the nine-year-old relax for the extra yardage. Had too much speed for the rest in a steadily run Dubai Gold Cup and has to stage a revival having been amiss behind one of the leading fancies Candelari in the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

3 Sweet William

Furthest back of the principals when chasing Kyprios and Trawlerman to the finish last year. A fresher horse now, with a comeback third in the Yorkshire Cup setting him up for the season, this quirky stayer has improved and should be involved.

4 Trawlerman

Better with age; kept responding to William Buick’s urgings when a valiant silver medallist in the most recent edition. Looked on great terms with himself in the Henry II Stakes which will have boosted his confidence after some tough battles. Every chance of capitalising on the absence of Kyprios, but a younger rival might have his measure.

5 Wonder Legend

Mopped up a couple of all-weather handicaps but it is doubtful he is as good on turf and that still leaves him with a lot to find.

6 Yashin

Caught Coltrane napping in a slowly run Group Three contest here when setting out for trainer Michael Bell after a wind operation. The lowest-rated member of the field began his career over a mile. Unlikely to see this out strongly enough.

7 Candelari

The scopey son of Frankel faces his stiffest task yet after taking a Group One in France on soft going. Took a bit of driving there but was able to gain compensation for losing out in a slowly-run race previously when he finished well. Knows how to win and progressing at the right time.

8 Illinois

Genuine performer who handed Ryan Moore his 80th Royal Ascot success in the Queens Vase. Still immature at times during his three-year-old season, he kicked off the current campaign giving weight away in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. Said to be sharper for the run, given the physical progress he has made, Illinois can stay the distance and provide O’Brien with title number ten.

Rest of Thursday’s card

CHARLES DARWIN (2.30) is ready to rock in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes and start a run of excellent results for Ballydoyle. The colt’s trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore hold Ascot Gold Cup ace Illinois in their day three pack.

And Charles Darwin is poised to snap a losing streak of favourites in the five furlong opener, heading there with plenty of experience. A brother to Group One-winning juvenile Blackbeard, No Nay Never’s son benefited from his stable debut to come out on top at Navan and Naas by an average of four lengths – and he has not reached the bottom of the barrel.

SERIOUS CONTENDER (3.05) is the next member of the team, tackling the King George V Stakes over 1m 4f. Thought good enough to be given an Irish Derby entry, he was doing all his best work in the closing stages of a ten furlong handicap at Leopardstown.

Moore stays with my selection, despite second-placed stablemate Light As Air having his run interrupted, which is a big vote of confidence.

Brought along steadily by John and Thady Gosden, 8-1 LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (3.40, trb) is about to bloom in the Ribblesdale Stakes. Her dam Beautiful Morning made a pattern race breakthrough when stepped up to ten furlongs and my selection tried it for the first time behind potential Group One filly Falakeyah in Newmarket’s Pretty Polly Stakes.

When crossing the line in second, Life is Beautiful showed an honest head carriage and it is unlikely there is a filly of similar calibre lurking amongst them in this Group Two event.

Ice cool Colin Keane is the right jockey to have on your side in the 30-runner Britannia Stakes and he teams up with BRAVE MISSION (5.00, Nap).

From a family of milers further back on the dam’s side, Frankel’s offspring makes his debut at the distance having run on well over seven behind improving type Power Fizz.

A big field scenario is also likely to trigger progress from well-drawn Brave Mission, with smooth traveller Parole D’Oro and Listed fourth La Botte others to note.

Epsom Derby non-stayer TORNADO ALERT (5.35) drops down two furlongs for the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes.

An improving individual, Saeed bin Suroor saw enough in his home work to start off in the 2,000 Guineas, where he lacked the toe to match Ruling Court and Field Of Gold.

This is easier and at 17-2 with William Hill, Tornado Alert is one of the best each-way bets on the third card of the week.

Unlucky to be pipped at Chester, NEVER SO BRAVE (6.10) retains handicapping scope in a very open renewal of the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

Royal Ascot selections

2.30 Charles Darwin

3.05 Serious Contender

3.40 Life Is Beautiful (trb)

4.20 Illinois (nb)

5.00 Brave Mission (Nap)

5.35 Tornado Alert

6.10 Never So Brave