2024 Grand Cup Stakes Tips - Beckett's budding stayer worth backing at York

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: 13 Jun 2024

Jon Vine 13 Jun 2024

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2024 Grand Cup Stakes
This Listed race takes place at York on Saturday 15th June
Salt Bay is our selection at 10/1

Expired

Salt Bay (right) losing out to Hamish (left) in the John Porter Stakes. (Getty)

Saturday's card at York is headlined by the Grand Cup Stakes. Along with a first-prize of around £40k, Saturday's winner will book themselves a guaranteed spot in the Ebor Handicap, which takes place over the same course-and-distance during the Ebor Festival.

Here's our guide to the 2024 Grand Cup Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2024 Grand Cup Stakes Odds

Name	Odds
Relentless Voyager	13/8
Real Dream	11/4
Klondike	9/2
Chesspiece	6/1
Salt Bay	10/1
Divine Jewel	14/1

2024 Grand Cup Stakes Entries

Just six runners have been declared for Saturday's feature. The betting is now topped by Relentless Voyager, who steps back into Listed company following a runaway handicap success over a mile-and-a-half during the Epsom Derby Festival.

Earlier in the week, Ryan Moore had been confirmed in the saddle of Real Dream, who made a pleasing return when second in a competitive handicap at Newmarket. However, now that the field has been confirmed, Moore appears to be riding Klondike for William Haggas, with Oisin Orr partnering Real Dream.

Paul Mulrennan rides Chesspiece for the Crisfords. Hector Crouch and Ralph Beckett team up with Salt Bay. Roger Varian Divine Jewel rounds off the field.

2024 Grand Cup Stakes Tips

The whole "who is Ryan Moore riding?" debacle adds an extra level of intrigue to this contest. Klondike has plenty of ability and Moore's presence in the saddle is a plus. The fact that Ryan seems to have opted against riding Real Dream is a negative against his chances, but he cannot be completely ruled out on that basis.

Relentless Voyager has only had two weeks to get over his run at Epsom, but that victory was extremely impressive and he looks ready to return to pattern company. Chesspiece's form from last season would give him a massive chance too, and first-time blinkers are an interesting addition.

With plenty of rain forecast between now and Saturday's start time, conditions should be ideal for SALT BAY (10/1). Ralph Beckett's star ran a mighty race over this distance at Newbury last term, coming up two lengths short of the ever-classy Not So Sleepy on extremely testing ground.

Salt Bay kicked off his four-year-old campaign with a fantastic effort in the John Porter Stakes, where he was only beaten a neck when third behind Hamish and Al Qareem. Hector Crouch's mount failed to back up that effort in the Aston Park Stakes, where Salt Bay found himself thoroughly outpaced in the closing stages.

Stepping back up in distance will certainly suit this son of Farhh, who is actually the highest-rated horse in this field. The more rain that falls, the better Salt Bay's chances.

Verdict

2024 Grand Cup Stakes

Salt Bay is our best bet in Saturday's Grand Cup Stakes.

Salt Bay

2024 Grand Cup Stakes Tips

@10/1 - 5 Units

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