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Betting update – Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Gold Cup

Michael Smyth

12 Aug 2025

Betting update – Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic and Gold Cup

Following on from the first-round heats of both competitions, let’s take a look at the betting markets ahead of the semi-finals which take place on Saturday, August 16.

Ladbrokes Summer Stayers – outright betting update

Mark Wallis goes into the semi-finals holding a strong hand according to the bookmakers, with New Destiny (4s) and Vhagar (5s) at the top of the market. Romeo Empire is next in at 6s with Gary The Arb a best-priced 7s chance with Bresbet, Skybet and Paddy Power.

New Destiny 4, Vhagar 5, Romeo Empire 6, Gary The Arb 7, Clona Ice 10, Singalong Molly 16, Deadly Disco 16, Bombay Nutty 16, Antigua Kestral 16, Newinn Cloud 33, Amazing Zeus 33, Aero Advocate 33, Newinn Deejay 50, Ince Lewin 66, Swift Jarvis 80, Blu Bert 80, Timmys Hunter 100, Thor Odinson 100.

The first semi-final at 7.06 looks ultra-competitive with Gary The Arb and New Destiny likely to battle it out for the rails. Ince Lewie (T4) is lightly raced and open to improvement and would be a runner on the bunny. Deadly Disco (T6) impressed in the first-round heats and would be a danger to all with a smart exit.

The second semi-final of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic at 7.22 will see recent PGR Regency runner-up Romeo Empire line up from T1 for trainer Patrick Janssens. All eyes on the break here with Antigua Kestrel in T3. If the Kevin Hutton-trained railer repeats the flying 12.38 sectional from the first round he will make them all go.

The third semi-final of the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers at 7.39 will see Vhagar run from T3 for trainer Mark Wallis. The February 2023 daughter of Dorotas Wildcat has won five of her six runs over six-bend trips so far in her career, if she gets it right at the boxes on Saturday night, she will take all the beating.

Ladbrokes Gold Cup – outright betting update

This Category One competition looks wide-open with bookmakers still going 5/1 the field. Droopys Aladdin impressed in the first-round heats but has a tricky draw to overcome in the semi-finals. Union Rebel, who finished third in the BetGoodwin Pall Mall final at Oxford recently, showed nice early pace in the first round and went onto record a three-quarters of a length victory over Gingers Prince (Pall Mall winner) in 28.37.

Droopys Aladdin 5, Union Rebel 6, Brindle Bully 15/2, Jacktavern Chief 8, Carrick Fergie 10, Naochra 12, Heaford Dane 16, Crossfield Enzo 16, Gingers Prince 20, Avarua Zlatan 20, Armagh Daithi 25, Ardrea Sam 28, Born Racer 33, Deliverooo 33, Aero Pepinillo 40, Aero Pattika 40, Da Mighty Man 50, Common Canter 80.

Heat one of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup on Saturday evening at 7.56 will see outright favourite Droopys Aladdin line up from T4. The early-paced railer will be diving left at lid rise. Can he clear Avarua Zlatan (T1), Naochra (T2) and Headford Dane (T3) into the corner? Union Rebel looks well-drawn in T5 and will surely prove popular in the outright market at 6s with bet365. Common Canter at 80s (outright) with the sponsors Ladbrokes looks value. If the lightly raced wide seed traps well, he could could book his place in next weekends final at decent odds.

The second semi-final at 8.13 is a race full of early pace with Carrick Fergie (T2), Jacktavern Chief (T4), Brindle Bully (T5) and Da Mighty Man (T6) all looking to lead round. This race will hinge on the break and run into the corner. Doncaster raider Jacktavern Chief showed all sorts of pace in the first-round heats when winning from off the pace in 28.54. If he gets it right at the boxes, the 8s on offer from Skybet and Paddy Power will look huge value.

The third semi-final of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at 8.31 will see BetGoodwin Pall Mall winner Gingers Prince line up from T1. The Patrick Browne-trained Hove raider ran well in the first-round heats following a two-week layoff after landing the Category One prize at Oxford. On Saturday, Gingers Prince looks well-drawn to hold the rails and lead round, on the bunny he will prove hard to beat. Armagh Daithi (T4) is a 28.15 type of performer when he gets it right at the boxes over course and distance. If he traps well, he should go close. Crossfield Enzo finished sixth in the Pall Mall final behind Gingers Prince and then won in the first-round heats of this competition last week in 28.21. Deliverooo finished third in the Time Greyhound Nutrition Northern Flat at Newcastle on Thursday, July 24, beaten a neck by Naochra. The Tom Helibron-trained wide seed is capable of a ping break. If he brings his trapping boots on Saturday, it's race on.