Ascot Gold Cup Day, the one race of the year when Group 1 horse’s stamina and bravery is tested to the max over its marathon trip.
Trawlerman looks to go one place better than he did last season, but will the younger brigade spoil the Godolphin owned runners party?
Away from the Ascot Gold Cup there are six races to be solved, starting with the 5f, Norfolk Stakes.
Quick Royal Ascot day three tips
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2:30 Group 2 Norfolk Stakes: Charles Darwin 5/4 with Betfred 3:05 King George V Stakes: Merchant 3/1 with Ladbrokes 3:40 Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes: Serenity Prayer 10/3 with BetVictor 4:20 Group 1 Gold Cup: Trawlerman 5/2 with talkSPORT BET 5:00 Britannia Stakes: Arctic Grey 35/1 with SBK 5:35 Group 3 Hampton Stakes: Jackknife 13/2 with bet365 6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes: Oliver Show 11/1 with Sky Bet*odds subject to change
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2:30 Group 2 Norfolk Stakes – 5f
Naval Light caught the eye when finishing second on debut to Old Is Gold on debut (ran in the Windsor Castle yesterday). He was slow into stride, but once the penny dropped inside the final furlong, he ran on powerfully to snatch second place.
There is no doubt that he will come on a lot for that experience and is a big danger. The Richard Hannon colt First Legion was still showing signs of greenness on his second start at Sandown, and he looks to have more to offer.
However, the Aidan O’Brien-trained CHARLES DARWIN looks the one to side with. He has had three starts this season, winning two, and despite his last win being against three debutants, he picked up like a horse that is destined for great things. That win was at Naas, which is a stiff 5f, so the Ascot 5f should be right up his street. Afjan has been well supported in the lead-up to the Norfolk. It will be interesting to see if the support continues for the French runner.
CHARLES DARWIN
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Form: 411 Age: 2 Weight: 9st 3lbGroup 2 Norfolk Stakes winner: Charles Darwin 5/4 with Betfred
3:05 King George V Stakes – 1m4f
When Aidan O’Brien has a live runner in a handicap at Royal Ascot, you must take notice, as it is more than likely that he is much more than a handicapper.
However, even with Serious Contender looking as though he has a lot more to come stepping up in trip, he may have to settle for a supporting role to MERCHANT. The William Haggas-trained runner was a shade disappointing on his seasonal return at Newmarket, getting turned over at 11/10.
But he soon let that run well behind him when he ran away with a 0-95 at York when stepping up to 1m4f. He travelled through the race with immense ease and put the race to bed within a matter of strides. That was a performance of a horse that is a Group performer in the making, and an 8lb rise may not be enough to stop Merchant following up. Others who can run well at bigger odds are Omni Man, Daiquiri Day, and Boatswain.
MERCHANT
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Form: 721-31 Age: 3 Weight: 9st 4lbKing George V Stakes winner: Merchant 3/1 with Ladbrokes
3:40 Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes – 1m4f
A competitive renewal of the Ribblesdale with many in with chances. Catalina Delcarpio won well on debut and backed that up with a second to Wemightakedlongway, who has since gone on to finish fourth in the Oaks. There should be more to come from the Paddy Twomey filly, as should from SERENITY PRAYER.
Her form ties in with Catalina Delcarpio through Whirl, who won the Oaks. Serenity Prayer was second to Whirl in the Musidora and showed a lot of greenness throughout the race. She was outpaced with 3f to go and wanted a bit under pressure, but she kept on well at the finish once Oisin Murphy gathered her up.
There was a lot to like about the performance, and with so much more to come, Serenity Prayer can take a big step forward here. Go Go Boots never looked comfortable in the Oaks and can be forgiven for that run. If she can bounce back, she looks overpriced.
SERENITY PRAYER
Trainer: Oisin Murphy Jockey: Andrew Balding Form: 12 Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbGroup 2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner: Serenity Prayer 10/3 with BetVictor
4:20 Group 1 Gold Cup – 2m4f
With no Kyprios this year, that leaves the Gold Cup open to someone to come and stamp themselves as the new champion stayer. Illinois has been nominated to fill the void left by Kyprios, and the St Leger runner-up promises to be suited by the Gold Cup trip.
He, as well as the French raider Candelari, have serious chances, but this may be best left to last season’s Gold Cup runner-up, TRAWLERMAN. This seven-year-old is a high-class performer over staying trips and is one of very few to have gotten the better of a peak Kyprios.
He had a perfect prep for the Gold Cup when easily winning the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown. There is every chance that Trawlerman will be able to dictate this from the front, and if he does, he can lead them from pillar to post, claiming his first Ascot Gold Cup.
TRAWLERMAN
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: William Buick Form: 323-51 Age: 7 Weight: 9st 4lbGroup 1 Gold Cup winner: Trawlerman 5/2 with talkSPORT BET
5:00 Britanna Stakes – 1m (Str)
Take your pick when it comes to Britannia. It’s currently 11/1 the field, so if you land on the winner, you’re in for a hefty profit. We will start with Brave Mission, who was second over 7f at this track last month and looks ready for the step up to 1m.
Arabian Story made very little impact in his first two starts at Meydan, but he looked a different proposition on his first UK start when kicking off his own pace at Chelmsford. This is an obvious step up in class for the Godolphin runner, but he could have turned a corner now.
However, there is one lurking at 25/1 that I see running a massive race, and that is ARCTIC GREY. The Richard Hannon-trained grey is two from three in his career and did well to win at Goodwood on his latest start. He was short of room up the rail at a crucial part of the race and had to be pulled out three wide to make his challenge, and once he got out, he was faced with the fast-finishing Fort George.
But once the well-backed favourite got to Arctic Grey’s tail, he picked up and won going away. He’s very much unexposed and looks overpriced.
ARCTIC GREY
Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Pat Dobbs Form: 121 Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbBritannia Stakes winner: Arctic Grey 35/1 with SBK
5:35 Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes – 1m2f
Detain will give Colin Keane a standout chance to add another win to what has been a dream start for him in the famous Juddmonte colours.
The son of superstar sire Wootton Bassett has won three of his six starts and was a good third in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. He was just a head in front of Trinity College at Chantilly, and there shouldn’t be much between them once again.
The one that caught my eye last time and the one I will side with is JACKKNIFE. The Roger Varian runner was well-backed on debut and rewarded his supporters by beating the next time-out winner, The Kings Falcon. Not much went right on his next start in a Listed race at Sandown.
He missed the break, got stopped in his run two furlongs out, had to switch and then ran on late. Jackknife would have learnt a lot from that run, and at his current odds, he looks a good each-way player here.
JACKKNIFE
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Oisin Murphy Form: 13 Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbGroup 3 Hampton Stakes: Jackknife 13/2 with bet365
6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes – 7f
A wide-open end to day three of Royal Ascot in the 29-runner Buckingham Palace. Never So Brave was slightly unlucky not to win on debut for Andrew Balding and looks to have a clear chance.
English Oak won this last season by three lengths and is only one pound higher coming back to defend his crown. If he can rediscover that form, then he will be a massive player. However, a chance is taken with the Lincon second OLIVER SHOW.
He came back to the UK after three decent efforts in Bahrain to be thrust into the Lincon, only to get headed in the shadows of the post. He has been given a wind operation since that run, and he is sure to be competitive off a 4lb higher mark. Others to take note of are last year’s runner-up Billyjoh, Divine Libra, and Array.
OLIVER SHOW
Trainer: George Boughey Jockey: Billy Loughnane Form: 19-422 Age: 5 Weight: 9st 6lb6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes: Oliver Show 11/1 with Sky Bet
Royal Ascot Day Three schedule
TIMERACEDISTANCE2:30Group 2 Norfolk Stakes5f3:05King George V Stakes1m4f3:40Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes1m4f4:20Group 1 Gold Cup2m4f5:00Britannia Stakes1m5:35Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes1m2f6:10Buckingham Palace Stakes7fClaim over £400 in free bets for Royal Ascot – 18+ T&Cs apply
How to watch Royal Ascot Day One
Location: Ascot, London, UK. Date/Time: Wednesday, June 18th. First race 2:30. TV/Streaming: ITV (UK), Virgin Media (Ireland) & Sky Sports Racing.About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).
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