Portugal Colonial - Trawlerman and Buick move into top gear to land Ascot Gold Cup

It was quite some way for jockey William Buick to win his first Gold Cup aged 36, the winner also breaking the track record.

Norway-born Buick, who had ridden Wednesday's feature race winner Ombudsman also for the Gosdens, stood up in the saddle and saluted the crowd punching the air.

"He is a great horse, only beaten by the great Kyprios last year," said Buick.

"I did not have to put the brakes on once.

"He was on autopilot. I was just a passenger.

"My first Gold Cup, long time coming, not an easy race to win.

"I am delighted."

For the Gosdens it was their second win in the race since they teamed up but for John it was his fifth, having trained the legendary Stradivarius to three successive victories (2018-20).

"He (Trawlerman) just goes off, William said 'he can judge pace better than me'," said Gosden senior.

"We know he stays. They never got to him, simply outstayed them. He's part of the furniture, he's a favourite.

"He ran Kyprios close, it is great to come back to show he's a proper Cup horse, and he is a lovely staying horse for the future."

Gosden, 74, is usually as well informed as anyone on a plethora of subjects but the Cambridge economics graduate was caught off guard when being told it was Buick's first Gold Cup.

"Really? A fabulous jockey," purred Gosden.

The Gosdens' five winners this year are welcome after a disappointing Royal Ascot last year.

"Last year was tricky, we've aimed at this (meeting) for 4-5-6 months, great when it comes to fulfilment," he said.

"One has to be realistic there are always plenty of banana skins around the corner."

- 'Take him out' -

Whilst Aidan O'Brien's fancied runner Illinois never landed a blow on Trawlerman the Irish master had a double earlier on the card to move to 95 Royal Ascot victories.

He made it three wins from three in the two-year-old Group races this week as the odds on favourite Charles Darwin prevailed in the opening Norfolk Stakes.

Ryan Moore had to battle a bit on Charles Darwin as the race evolved but he found a second wind and raced clear to take the Group Two contest.

"A very special horse, they came to me with two furlongs to go I asked him a question and he answered it brilliantly," said Moore, who took his Royal Ascot tally to 88.

The legendary duo struck again in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes -- Garden of Eden taking the honours.

Her odds of 7/1 reflected that she was not one of the stable's most fancied of runners this week.

"It is probably not the best Ribblesdale of all time," said Michael Tabor, one of the 'lads' as O'Brien's owners are referred to.

"She would not have been one to set your stall out for but she is a nice surprise."

The bookies took another battering in the King George V Stakes, favourite Merchant taking the honours after overhauling O'Brien's valiant Serious Contender in the final yards.

For trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand it was their second winner in the race, both teaming up to win the competitive handicap in 2023 with Desert Hero.

Haggas revealed that it had been a nerve wracking 24 hours -- Merchant coughed "10 times" on Wednesday and then slipped on entering the saddling box at Ascot.

"A lot of people don't understand what trainers go through," said a weary Haggas.

"He then held his leg –- the left-hind –- all through saddling, so we went out and trotted him up twice.

"He seemed alright, but I said to Tom if you're not happy with him at the start, take him out.

"We couldn't tell anyone, we've got 50 people here.

"It is not all plain sailing, so when they win, it is absolutely fantastic. I am thrilled to bits."

A.Aguiar--PC