The highlight of the Royal Ascot meeting, the 2026 Ascot Gold Cup, features a star-studded lineup including Scandinavia, Rahiebb, and defending champion Trawlerman. Scandinavia leads the betting after a strong season, but attention turns to value contender Carmers, who impressed in the Queen's Vase and looks set for a big performance on firm ground. While Trawlerman adds intrigue as a potential front-runner, expert analysis points to Carmers as the best each-way bet at current odds. Enthusiasts can follow the action via live streaming on race day.
Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Ascot Gold Cup
This Group One takes place on day three of Royal Ascot on Thursday 18th June
Carmers is our value bet at 20/1
Carmers ridden by WJ Lee wins the 2nd race the Queens Vase during day two of the 2025 Royal Ascot. (Getty)
The middle day of the Royal meeting is headlined by the most prestigious race of this famous meeting, the Ascot Gold Cup. This historic Group One was held at Ascot over 220 years ago, and the first two from last season's St Leger will renew rivalries on the Royal stage.
After finishing fifth in last year's Queen's Vase, Scandinavia ended his three-year-old season with wins in the Bahrain Trophy, the Goodwood Cup and the St Leger at Doncaster. Aidan O'Brien's star has won the Vintage Crop and the Saval Beg this term, and tops the Ascot Gold Cup betting at a best price of 11/8.
Rahiebb was beaten a neck by Scandinavia in that Classic at Doncaster, and will renew rivalries with the faviourite after an impressive victory in the Yorkshire Cup. Defending champion Trawlerman was a big doubt for the meeting, but has been cleared to run and will wear a ski mask in the prelims, due to a rare eye condition.
George Scott will be represented by Caballo De Mar, after his stable star claimed a second Group One win on French soil last month. John and Thady Gosden's leading hope could be Sagaro Stakes winner Sweet William. Joseph O'Brien has also entered Irish St Leger winner Al Riffa.
Queen's Vase winner Carmers will return to the Royal Meeting on the back of an impressive victory in the His Majesty's Plate at Down Royal. Ten-year-old Dubai Future will return to Group One company after beating Sweet William in the Henry II Stakes. Other runners include Andrew Balding's Group Three winner Further, Al Nayyir for trainer Tom Clover, and Ed Walker's outsider Miss Alpilles.
2026 Ascot Gold Cup Tips
Trawlerman has made it to Royal Ascot, and his presence is important, as he's one of the few guaranteed front-runners in this contest. William Buick's mount burned them off at the front last year, but he's facing a higher quality of opposition this time around, and Trawlerman hasn't been seen for almost 250 days.
The two four-year-olds are exciting additions to the staying ranks, and I'd be leaning towards Rahiebb over Scandinavia. CARMERS (20/1) wasn't at his best when he finished behind both in the St Leger, but I could see Paddy Twomey's star running a huge race on his return to Royal Ascot.
Billy Lee riding Carmers win The Queen's Vase on day two during Royal Ascot 2025. (Getty)
Carmers ran out an impressive winner of the Queen's Vase last year, beating Further and Rahiebb. Billy Lee's mount then showed his class with a narrow defeat to Pride Of Arras in the Great Voltigeur, before struggling a little on much softer ground when fifth in the St Leger at Doncaster.
Twomey's colt looked like he needed the outing when fifth again behind Scandinavia in the Vintage Crop Stakes. Carmers was then much more effective in his prep for Ascot in the His Majesty's Plate at Down Royal, where he gave weight and a comfortable beating to some handy older horses.
This strapping colt relished fast ground at this meeting 12 months ago, so conditions on Thursday are sure to suit. Carmers saw out two miles strongly on his most recent outing, and there could be much more to come from this lightly raced four-year-old.
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