Yeats leads Gold charge
Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer could be joined by stablemate Honolulu and Doncaster Cup winner Septimus, another highly-promising long-distance Ballydoyle performer.
In what is shaping into a high-quality renewal, progressive French raider Coastal Path has also been confirmed along with Yorkshire Cup winner Geordieland, second at Royal Ascot 12 months ago.
Le Miracle could run for Germany and Thundering Star for South Africa, although the latter was behind Finalmente in the Henry II Stakes last time.
Simon Callaghan’s latter is still involved, while Godolphin can choose from Regal Flush and Sagara.
Baddam, Balkan Knight, Diamond Quest, Silver Suitor and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Allegretto complete the potential line-up.
Finalmente was partnered by Frankie Dettori when making a winning reappearance but is likely to have another jockey in the plate next week.
“Everything is going to plan, very much so, and we’ll head for the Gold Cup with Mick Kinane set to ride,” confirmed Newmarket-based Callaghan.
“Obviously we are very hopeful, although, as ever, it’ll be an extremely competitive race with the French horse (Coastal Path) and Yeats in there.
“They will both be tough nuts to crack but we feel our horse has progressed from his win at Sandown and I think he’s getting better.”
Dettori could still get the leg up on Finalmente if Godolphin elected not to run either Regal Flush or Sagara.
“If they suddenly decided not to declare anything then Frankie would ride him, but we spoke to Frankie and he wasn’t able to commit,” Callaghan continued.
“He was about 90% sure Godolphin would have a runner so we decided to book Mick.
“Finalmente had missed a couple of bits of work and we thought he would come on a lot for the run.
“But the way the race panned out — Frankie rode him from the front and we might have got a soft lead — it wasn’t a real stamina test. But he’s definitely fitter now and I hope he’ll run well.”
