Day Three of Royal Ascot is famous for being Ascot Gold Cup day and our columnist Andrew Mount is on hand again to guide us through his thinking.
14:30 - Norfolk Stakes (5f, Group 2, 2yo)
Placepot punters take note – this has not been a good race for favourites in recent years. Favourites or joint-favourites are 0-11 in the past ten renewals whereas second or third favourites are seven from 20 for a profit of £29.50.
15:05 - King George V Stakes (1m4f Heritage Handicap, 3yo)
Simply backing all horses who finished first or second last time out would have found ten winners from 99 bets for a profit of £17.50. Those who ran in Class 1, 2 or 3 company last time were 7-44 for a profit of £43.50.
High-to-middle are draws usually best. In past ten years, those drawn 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 have a combined record of 1-50 and that was HUKUM who ran off a handicap mark of just 90 (now rated 122).
15:40 - Ribblesdale Stakes (1m4f Group 2, fillies, 3yo)
EMILY UPJOHN, a desperately unlucky second in the Oaks, could make a quick return to action and will be hard to beat if she does.
TRANQUIL LADY did best of the prominent racers in the Oaks and could provide a spot of value against the likely favourite.
16:20 - Gold Cup (2m4f Group 1, 4yo+)
STRADIVARIUS returned to winning ways at York on his reappearance and was successful in 2018, 2019 and 2020. However, he could only manage fourth place last year and it’s difficult to see him reclaiming his crown at the age of eight.
The wonderful TRUESHAN looks ground dependent and the weather forecast suggests he’s not going to encounter his preferred slow going. Connections will be mindful of his big autumn targets and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him withdrawn.
KYPRIOS was impressive on the clock when landing prohibitive odds at Leopardstown and looks the obvious one among the market leaders.
TASHKHAN enjoys good to soft or softer ground and had conditions to suit when a 50-1 second to Trueshan in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day. He invariably stays on strongly and the extra distance could compensate for the faster going. He could be a good inclusion for the Exacta and Trifecta.
17:00 - Britannia Stakes (1m Heritage Handicap, colts and geldings)
There was a strong draw bias last year, with the first three drawn 19, 25 and 28. Even a handicap mark of just 91 couldn’t help the now-122 rated Dubai Honour overcome a poor low draw and he had to settle for fourth.
A patient run style is usually vital and WANEES fits the bill. He did remarkably well to quicken off a steady gallop to score at Sandown and a mark of 91 could seriously underestimate his ability.
