Stradivarius set to be pure Gold again

I RECKON the chances of Stradivarius winning his fourth Ascot Gold Cup are nearer 1-2 than evens. Not that his odds matter a jot as I won’t back him, but I sure hope he wins like the champion he is.

I hear those who argue that this represents his toughest defence yet, but how many times has that argument been reeled out before?

This race is an examination like no other. Form from the so-called trials isn’t worth the paper it’s written on, and the best guide is always the previous year’s running. Stradivarius won that by just the ten lengths. It was so easy that Frankie Dettori was in neck-patting mode with 100 yards to go, and on soft ground that he supposedly hates.

Would any of Thursday’s new kids on the block have beaten him? Not a cat in hell’s chance.

I grant you that cracks began to appear towards the backend of last season. But the Arc was no backward step and, on ref lection, his connections no doubt regret asking him to go again on Champions Day.

But as true champions do, he bounced back. There was not the remotest sign of deterioration when playing with his rivals in the Sagaro Stakes in April and, having read what John Gosden had to say about him last week, the horse is truly bouncing ahead of his date with destiny.

Comparisons with Yeats will be all the talk should he emulate Coolmore’s great stayer. With no desire to tempt fate, that debate can wait for another day.