John Gosden hoping top stayer Stradivarius can equal the great Yeats in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

JOHN Gosden is hoping Stradivarius can hit all the right notes at Royal Ascot.

The top-class stayer will attempt to emulate the great Yeats with a fourth Gold Cup win on Thursday.

Stradivarius is chasing a fourth Gold Cup win at AscotGosden reckons seven-year-old Stradivarius is as good as ever

The seven-year-old is the hot even-money favourite having made a winning return to action under Frankie Dettori at Ascot back in April.

Few horses have such long and successful careers on the Flat – especially when they are still a stallion.

And champion trainer Gosden reckons the fan favourite is still as good as ever.

He said: “It would be extraordinary if he won it again – but even more so because he’s a full horse.

“He’s not a gelding, and they seem to be able to race on a lot longer without the distractions of life.

“This boy is an absolute riot to be around – he’s very entertaining and I tend to just let him enjoy himself.

“He won nicely in his prep race for this, we left plenty to work on as the big target is this week.

“Frankie has been down to ride him and he has been very happy, he gave him a nice canter and all went smoothly.

“He still loves his job and is in great form. He’s a great personality and he is a part of the family now.”

Top jock Dettori is second only to Lester Piggott in terms of success at Royal Ascot with 73 winners.

But he admitted he is feeling the pressure ahead of the Gold Cup.

Dettori said: “This year there is a lot of pressure because Yeats won four and it’s (owner) Bjorn Nielsen’s dream to equal Yeats.

“All eyes will be on him, the pressure is on, but we are going to roll the dice and go for it.”

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