Coltrane was useless when he joined me but now we can win the Ascot Gold Cup, says Andrew Balding

WIN, lose or draw in the Gold Cup this afternoon, Coltrane is just the most amazing horse to have in our yard.

We are just so lucky to have him and — with what he has been through — it’s no surprise everyone in the yard loves him.

It’s amazing how far he has come. We thought he was useless when he first came here, he could barely get to the top of our gallops!

I remember saying to his owners there is a good chance we’d be selling him before too long, but he proved me wrong the moment he set foot on the track.

Then he suffered a bad injury at the end of his three-year-old season and there was a chance he would never race again.

He was gelded and was off the track for over a year before coming back, better than ever.

He ran some good solid races on his return but didn’t win again until taking the Ascot Stakes in 2022.

That really gave us a big thrill, as did his win in the Doncaster Cup when he beat Trueshan — and also when beaten just a head here on Champions Day.

His prep has gone well and I think he has come on a bit for his win here in the Sagaro in May.

He goes into today’s big race in great shape. It goes without saying that it would bring a great deal of joy to all of us at Park House if we can win this historic old race.

I will be pacing the paddock like a cat on a hot tin roof when they head down to the start, but I have every confidence in him.

Contrary to what many think he is not named after the actor and comedian Robbie.

He is actually named after legendary jazz musician John Coltrane. I am sure Oisin Murphy will get a great tune out of him this afternoon.

We also run Nate The Great who is a grand horse, but he is tough to place right now because he is high in the weights.

Hopefully he can run well and give jockey Harry Davies a nice spin and his owners a good day out.

It’s not all about the Gold Cup though. I have never hidden my fondness for SEA OF ROSES (3.40) and I think she is well overpriced in the Ribblesdale.

I was pleased with her first run of the season in France and at York in the Musidora.

She was a little disappointing in the Oaks but I think the ground was fast enough for her and I’m not sure she acted on the track.

She is still showing us all the right signs at home and I think she can outrun her odds, for all the favourite looks like she will be tough to beat.

We have a couple in the King George Handicap which is one of the most competitive races of the week.

I really like SISYPHUS STRENGTH (3.05) for this. She lost her action on soft ground at Chester so it was great to see her bounce back with a good run at Goodwood.

She will love the step up to 1m4f and she is well-drawn in 18, which is where you want to be over this course and distance.

We also run LIEBER POWER who disappointed us at Newbury, but he has ability and he should also be happier over this longer trip.

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