Coppell once again proved why he belongs among the Royal Ascot elite after delivering a dominant performance in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot on Friday. The colt, a progeny of Bated Breath, first made his mark by winning the Richmond Stakes as a two‑year‑old and later capped that early season with a respectable third place in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in the autumn. Those achievements hinted at his class, but his recent display took his reputation to a new level.
At the Rowley Mile, Coppell turned the tables on his rivals. He stalked the early leader, Ghost Mode, before launching a decisive acceleration that saw him overtake the front‑runner.
Not content with simply regaining the lead, he quickened again in the closing stages to fend off a late surge from Midnight Tango, a 66‑to‑1 outsider ridden by Ed Walker. The finish was a textbook neck victory, secured by jockey Rossa Ryan, with the strikingly fast Division settling for third, a full length back. The win came at odds of 7‑2, and bookmakers promptly trimmed his price to 12‑1 for the upcoming Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, a race trainer Tom Cox has previously conquered with Golden Horde.
Before that, however, there is a strong possibility that Coppell will contest the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 23, providing a logical stepping‑stone toward the summer’s marquee sprint. Cox, who also guided Jasour to victory in the Sandy Lane two years ago, praised the colt’s performance: "That was fantastic and it was good to start the year off with him like that.
He was very pleasing last year and it was great to win the Richmond like he did at Goodwood. We took a bit of a sideways step in the Prix Morny, but finishing off in the Middle Park as he did was really encouraging." He continued, "He's wintered well, he hasn't grown a lot taller but he's got a lot stronger and matured mentally as well.
I was really impressed with how he quickened twice there as he kind of idled a little bit but got going again. He battled back well and I'm really proud of him. We've had a good spring with him, but he's bound to come forward for this and I'm pleased to see him start off like this.
The Sandy Lane is a real possibility and a very logical step before coming back here for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot." The trial also featured a thrilling finish in the Longines Sagaro Stakes, where Sweet William demonstrated his staying power by holding off Caballo De Mar. The seven‑year‑old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, has become a stalwart of the long‑distance division, having added a second Doncaster Cup win to his résumé in 2025 and finishing second to stablemate Trawlerman on British Champions Day. Sent off as the 5‑6 favourite for his comeback, Sweet William was ridden masterfully by Robert Havlin, who guided the gelding to a short‑head victory and secured his place back at the Berkshire track for the Royal meeting in June.
Thady Gosden lauded his charge: "He's a smashing horse and he's a year older but still retains all his enthusiasm. He's beaten a very good horse there and the front two have come a long way clear of the third.
He's a horse who likes to keep you guessing so he was quite happy to stick his head up going up the straight and after two miles round there I think the jockey was having a good blow too afterwards. Rab gave him a fantastic ride and knows him like one of his own children at this point and it was a good performance.
He hit the front and was happy to stay there rather than go away from the second, but he was in front when it mattered at the line." Looking ahead, Sweet William’s connections have trimmed his odds to 12‑1 for the 2024 Gold Cup after a solid third‑place finish last season and a fourth‑place effort in the previous year's Gold Cup. While the Gold Cup remains his primary target for the summer, the team has not ruled out an additional run before that, acknowledging the importance of keeping the gelding sharp and fit. Another contender for the Gold Cup, the runner‑up from the Sagaro, received high praise from trainer George Scott, who highlighted the colt’s improving Group One form and his ability to carry weight.
The horse is set to head to France for the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp on May 21, a race that serves as a perfect preparation for the Gold Cup after his recent victory in the Prix du Cadran last autumn. Scott commented, "It was an unbelievable run and a career best giving weight away all round and the perfect trial for the Gold Cup. We know he stays two-and-a-half miles and he was coming back at the winner at the line there giving him 2lb which is a lot over two miles.
We're looking forward to June now and he stays so well but for now it's just disappointing he was beaten on the day. He'll go to France for the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and he loves his racing. He was too fresh today, he was like a bear today when trying to saddle him, I couldn't get it on him.
He's an amazing, tough horse and I can't wait to see him back here in a Gold Cup off level weights." In addition to the race reports, the day featured a slew of news items: Bow Echo secured Billy Loughnane’s first Classic win in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket; Night Raider triumphed in the Palace House Stakes for trainer Karl Burke; and Hollie Doyle shared her favorite rides from 2000 Guineas day while previewing Royal Ascot Trials. Sky Sports Racing also highlighted upcoming programming, including a showdown between French Derby hopefuls Dolmalan and Montreal at Chantilly, and a panel discussion on flat horses to watch in 2026.
Meanwhile, a clerical error by Aidan O'Brien led to the reinstatement of Gstaad in the Newmarket mix for the 2000 Guineas. Overall, Trials Day delivered a mix of sprint brilliance, staying stamina, and compelling storylines that set the tone for the Royal Ascot meeting.
Coppell’s neck‑win, Sweet William’s gritty defence, and the strategic plans for future Group One contests underscore the depth of talent and the meticulous preparation that define top‑level flat racing. The upcoming weeks promise further excitement as connections fine‑tune their charges for the season’s biggest festivals, with the Commonwealth Cup, Sandy Lane Stakes, and Gold Cup all within striking distance.