Coppull confirmed his status as a genuine Royal Ascot prospect when he left his rivals far behind in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot on Friday. The Bated Breath colt, who had already shown his talent by winning the Richmond Stakes as a two‑year‑old and then finishing a respectable third in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket later that season, turned heads with a dominant performance on the Rowley Mile.
From the start, Coppell was positioned just behind the early leader, Ghost Mode, and when the front‑runner began to tire, the four‑year‑old surged forward, overtaking him with a smooth, decisive move. Not content with a single burst, he accelerated again in the final furlongs, fending off a late challenge from the 66‑1 outsider Midnight Tango, ridden by Ed Walker. The finish was a classic neck‑to‑neck duel, with Coppell edging out the long‑shot by the slimmest of margins, while the eye‑catching Division settled a further length back in third place. 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 that trainer Mark Cox has previously won with Golden Horde.
Cox, who also guided Jasour to victory in this same contest two years ago, was effusive in his praise: "That was fantastic and it was great 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." Cox added that Coppell had used the winter well. "He hasn't grown a lot taller, but he's become much stronger and more mature mentally. I was really impressed with how he quickened twice there, idling a little before finding another gear. He battled back well and I'm very proud of him.
We've had a good spring with him, but he's bound to improve, and I'm pleased to see him start the season in such style." Looking ahead, Cox hinted that a run in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 23 could be a logical next step before returning to Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup. "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 trial card also featured a thrilling performance from Sweet William, the seven‑year‑old gelding trained by John and Thady Gosden. In the Longines Sagaro Stakes, Sweet William dug deep to fend off Caballo De Mar, securing a narrow short‑head victory that earned him a ticket to the Royal meeting in June.
The veteran stayer, who has been a mainstay of the staying division for several seasons, is targeting the Gold Cup later in the summer, though his connections have not ruled out an additional run in between. 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 he was happy to stick his head up in 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 from 16‑seconds‑off, reflecting his consistent form – a third‑place finish in the 2024 Gold Cup and fourth the previous year. Gosden noted that the gelding’s primary aim for the summer remains the Gold Cup, but they will assess his condition after the Sagaro before finalising plans. Another contender securing a spot in the Gold Cup was the runner‑up in the Sagaro, whose connections are thrilled with the horse’s progress.
Trainer George Scott expressed delight at his horse’s continued improvement, noting that the colt gave away weight across the board in the trial, a sign of class and stamina. Scott confirmed that the next target will be the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp on May 21, a race that will serve as a final preparation before the Ascot showdown. "He stays two‑and‑a‑half miles effortlessly, and giving weight away makes the performance even more impressive.
We’re looking forward to June and his Gold Cup debut," Scott said. Overall, Trials Day provided a clear snapshot of the talent pool heading into the summer festival. Coppell’s neck‑win demonstrated his ability to accelerate at the right moment and to handle a fast‑paced race, traits essential for success in the Commonwealth Cup. Sweet William reminded everyone that staying power remains a vital part of the British racing calendar, while the Sagaro runner‑up highlighted the depth of Group One quality among older horses.
Fans can now look forward to a packed schedule of high‑stakes contests, with Ascot poised to deliver another memorable meeting. For the latest updates, interviews, and in‑depth features on horse racing, stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing and keep an eye on the official racing news feeds.