We’re halfway through the Royal Ascot carnival with Day 3 taking place on Thursday night. We have another seven-race program to look forward to with action getting underway at the usual time of 11:30pm AEST.
As usual, Tips4Punters have us covered with race previews and best bets for all seven races.
Royal Ascot 2023 Day 3 Preview and Betting Tips
With thanks to Tips4Punters
Race 1: Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) – 11:30pm AEST
America got a winner on the board yesterday with Crimson Advocate for trainer George Weaver who runs (10) No Nay Mets in this and he has a chance but the stronger fancied American runner will be the Wes Ward trained (1) American Rascal with Joel Rosario onboard.
The stand out horse in this race looks to be the Karl Burke trained (4) ELITE STATUS, a 5-length winner on his last start in the Listed Racehorse Lotto National Stakes at Sandown, he scored on his debut at Doncaster by 3 lengths. He looks a horse going places with more to come.
As for the others (3) Devious trained by Donnacha O'Brien is worth a look, he won comfortably on debut at Naas over this distance. He’s another with more to come. At a bigger price (8) Mon Na Slieve for Kevin Ryan (trainer had a winner on the first day) looks another with potentially more to come after winning on debut at York keeping on well inside the final furlong.
And finally at even bigger odds and maybe one for each way punters (14) Thunder Blue could run well for Dominic French Davis with Kevin Stott in the saddle.
Race 2: King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 12:05am AEST
Plenty in with a chance including (6) Perfuse for Sir Michael Stoute, he’s won his last 2 races. More to come.
At bigger odds (15) Land Legend could outrun his odds with Hollie Doyle in the saddle (Hollie is the first female jockey to win a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot after winning on Bradsell in the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday) and she’ll be looking to add to that.
The pick for me is (8) DAVIDEO for Ralph Beckett/Rossa Ryan (who both teamed up to win the Royal Hunt Cup yesterday with Jimi Hendrix). Trainer won this race in 2021. Steps up in trip.
Race 3: Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) – 12:40am AEST
I will be taking on the Frankel filly (1) Al Asifah who is looking to go 3-3.
Frankie got the winner he has been looking for yesterday on Gregory and I fancy him to pick up another win today with (2) BLUESTOCKING for Ralph Beckett, upped in trip I think she can get the better of (19) Warm Heart this time who beat her previously.
(19) Warm Heart is trained by Aidan O’Brien, another that is up in trip.
At bigger odds (18) Village Voice and (11) Maman Joon might appeal to each way punters.
Race 4: Gold Cup (Group 1) – 1:20am AEST
(2) Broome is a proper globe trotter for Aidan O’Brien and deserves to line up in this race for sure.
(3) Coltrane for Andrew Balding will head the betting after his wins in the Group 2 Coral Doncaster Cup Stakes and more recently the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes. He’s raced in Group 1 company before and come 4th in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes at Goodwood beaten by staying wonder horse Kyprios. He could get his deserved Group 1 win today but I am going to take him on with the Roger Varian trained (12) ELDAR ELDAROV who won the Group 2 Queen's Vase at the Royal meeting last year and also won the Group 1 Cazoo St Leger Stakes at Doncaster in 2022. He can add another Royal Ascot win to his CV.
Race 5: Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 2am AEST
A huge field of 30 runners go in the Britannia Stakes. Bit of a headache trying whittle down a short list.
At big odds am going with (27) ROYAL CAPE for Hughie Morrison, last seen coming 2nd to Covey (a really nice horse trained by the Gosden’s). Before that he easily won a Novice Stakes at Windsor, winning by 10 lengths!
(6) Racingbreaks Ryder is going for a five-timer and has won at Ascot before.
French runner (12) Bless has decent french form and could run well at big odds.
Another worth a mention at a bigger price is (7) Benacre for Charlie Johnston who has been running ok in Group/Listed company (424). With Spencer in the saddle, he could outrun his odds. Last start he was 4th in the German 2000 Guineas but still hope.
Race 6: Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) – 2:35am AEST
(14) Torito has 2022 Champion Apprentice Benoit De La Sayette in the saddle, won an Epsom Handicap on Derby Day on his last start. Contender.
The filly in the race (16) Caernarfon tackles the males now after a good 3rd in the Group 1 Betfred Oaks at Epsom. Before this she was 4th in the Group 1 Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes won by Mawj (who unfortunately now doesn’t run at Royal Ascot this week). She is keeping good company and drops down in grade. Could fill the places.
Pick for me is (2) DRUMROLL trained by Aidan O’Brien, he was 2nd in a Listed race at the Curragh at the beginning of May, that race was won by Paddington who won the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes here on Tuesday. Promoted to 1st on his last start in a Group 3 at the Curragh.
Race 7: Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) – 3:10am AEST
(14) BIGGLES is a specialist over 7f and with Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle I think he can win this. 2nd on his last start at Ascot. Wins or goes close for me. The dangers include (17) Unforgotten, (6) Montassib & (18) Lir Speciale.
