Coppull once again proved his worth as a Royal Ascot prospect when he left his rivals in the dust during the Commonwealth Cup trial at Ascot on Friday. The colt, a son of Bated Breath, first attracted attention by winning the Richmond Stakes as a two‑year‑old and later capped that season with a respectable third place in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.
In the trial, he turned the tables on the front‑runners, first catching the early leader Ghost Mode and then accelerating again to fend off a late surge from the 66‑to‑1 outsider Midnight Tango, ridden by Ed Walker. The finish was a narrow neck win for Rossa Ryan, with the strikingly fast Division settling a further neck behind in third. Coppull entered the race at 7‑2 odds, and his impressive performance saw his price tumble to 12‑1 for the upcoming Commonwealth Cup at the summer meeting in Ascot – a race his trainer, the experienced David "Cox" Cox, has previously won with Golden Horde. Before that, Cox may target the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 23 as a logical stepping‑stone.
Speaking after the trial, Cox, who also guided Jasour to victory in the same race two years ago, praised the colt: "It was a fantastic start to the year. He was brilliant last season, especially winning the Richmond at Goodwood.
We took a sideways step in the Prix Morny, but finishing strongly in the Middle Park was encouraging." He added that Coppoll has grown stronger over the winter, even if he hasn’t added much height: "He’s matured mentally and physically. I was impressed by how he quickened twice, idling a little before finding his rhythm again. He fought back well and I’m very proud of him." Cox believes the Sandy Lane is a sensible next test before returning to Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup.
"We’ve had a good spring with him, and he’s bound to improve. The Sandy Lane is a real possibility and a very logical step before coming back here for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot," he said. The report also highlighted Sweet William, another seasoned campaigner, who showed his staying power by holding off Caballo De Mar in a thrilling finish to the Longines Sagaro Stakes.
The seven‑year‑old, trained by John and Thady Gosden, has been a mainstay of the staying division, having secured a second Doncaster Cup win in 2025 and a runner‑up finish to stablemate Trawlerman on British Champions Day. Riding at 5‑6 favourite, Robert Havlin guided Sweet William to a short‑head victory, earning the gelding a place at the Royal meeting in June. Thady Gosden praised his charge: "He’s a smashing horse, a year older but still full of enthusiasm.
He loves to keep you guessing and was happy to lead into the straight. Rab gave him a fantastic ride and knows him like his own child. He hit the front and stayed there when it mattered at the line." Sweet William’s odds were cut to 12‑1 after his win, and connections are eyeing the Gold Cup as his primary summer target, although an additional run is not ruled out.
Gosden added, "We’ll see how he comes out of it and the natural thing would be to wait for the Gold Cup, but there are other options beforehand. He’s a character and enjoys himself both at home and on track." The article also mentioned the runner‑up in the trial, whose connections are eager to continue the horse’s upward trajectory.
Trainer George Scott expressed delight with his improving Group One performer, noting the colt gave weight away in the trial and is now headed to France for the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp on May 21, a race that should sharpen him ahead of a Gold Cup attempt at Royal Ascot. Scott said, "It was an unbelievable run, a career best, giving weight away all round.
He stays two‑and‑a‑half miles easily and we’re looking forward to June. He loves his racing and I can’t wait to see him back here in a Gold Cup on level weights." Overall, the trial day provided a clear snapshot of the horses to watch this summer.
Coppull’s dominant sprint performance, Sweet William’s gritty stayers’ win, and the runner‑up’s promising form all point to an exciting middle part of the flat season, with the Commonwealth Cup, the Sandy Lane, and the Gold Cup promising further drama. Fans can stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on Sky Sports Racing and other outlets as the season unfolds.