2025 Grand Cup Stakes Tips - Balding's stayer can claim second course win at York

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: 12 Jun 2025

Jon Vine 12 Jun 2025

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Grand Cup Stakes
This Listed race takes place at York on Saturday 14th June
Alsakib is our selection at 10/3

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James Doyle riding Alsakib (white) win The bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap at Newmarket. (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 free guide to the 2025 Grand Cup Stakes, including our best betting tips.

2025 Grand Cup Stakes Odds

Name	Odds
Absurde	6/4
Alsakib	10/3
Al Qareem	9/2
El Cordobes	6/1
Raja Raja	50/1

2025 Grand Cup Stakes Entries

Absurde already has an Ebor on his CV, having won that lucrative flat handicap for Willie Mullins in 2023. This Cheltenham Festival winner returned to the flat with a third-place finish in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and tops the betting for Saturday's main event.

Alsakib won the Silver Cup Stakes over this course-and-distance in July and drops down to Listed class after a fourth-place finish in the Yorkshire Cup. Clifford Lee jumps back into the saddle of Al Qareem, after Sam James guided Karl Burke's six-year-old to second in the Ormonde Stakes.

Charlie Appleby will be represented by progressive four-year-old El Cordobes, who finished third in the Aston Park Stakes on his most recent start. David Simcock's Raja Raja, rated just 82, completes the field.

2025 Grand Cup Stakes Tips

I think the bet here could be ALSAKIB (10/3), following an encouraging reappearance here at York. Andrew Balding's five-year-old got off to a shocking start in the Yorkshire Cup and basically raced on his own down the centre of the home straight, and was still only beaten a length-and-a-half behind Rebel's Romance.

Balding's gelding boasts a course-and-distance win over Al Qareem on his CV. Alsakib was one of the first to come under pressure in the John Smith's Silver Cup, but responded brilliantly to PJ McDonald's urgings and ground out a narrow victory.

Alsakib doesn't carry a penalty for that Group Three success and clearly likes the course here at York. James Doyle comes in for the ride on Saturday and Andrew Balding's stable are currently in excellent form.

Live Stream

Visit our Grand Cup Stakes Live Stream page to watch any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2025 Grand Cup

Alsakib is our selection in the 2025 Grand Cup Stakes.

Alsakib

2025 Grand Cup Stakes

@10/3 - 5 Units

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