Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Royal Ascot on Thursday, June 18th.
We've teamed up with gun UK tipster @tips4punters to bring you full previews and betting tips for every day of the Royal Ascot carnival - the grand stage of UK racing!
Day 3 of the Royal Ascot carnival is headlined by the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup, featuring the likes of Stradivarius and Cross Counter.
Find the race-by-race preview and betting tips for Day 3 of Royal Ascot from @tips4punters below!
2020 Royal Ascot Racing Tips: Day 3 Preview
Best Bet: Race 4 - (7) Modern News
Next Best: Race 7 - (17) African Dream
Race 1 - Golden Gates Handicap (Market)
Kicking off the action on Day 3 of Royal Ascot 2020 is the Golden Gates Handicap. After whittling down my list to Maori Knight and Hypothetical I then found it difficult to separate these two for the win. Both are more than capable of doing so. Let’s talk about the John Gosden trained (4) Hypothetical first, won over 1m at Chelmsford (AW) at the end of last year and more recently at the start of the month was 4th in a Group 3 at Kempton (AW) over 1m 2f (interestingly the horse who come 2nd in that race was Pyledriver who won the Grp2 King Edward VII Stakes here on Day 1). More is expected. As for (15) MAORI KNIGHT trained by Richard Hughes, he was a close second (head) at Haydock earlier this month in a 1m 2f handicap and runs off the same mark on Thursday. I am siding with him for the win.
Race 2 - Wolferton Stakes (Listed) (Market)
This can go to (8) FOX TAL, last seen in the Grp1 Qipco Champion Stakes (won by Magical) here back in October. 4th in that but also ran 3rd in a Grp1 over in France at Saint-Cloud previously and in between them races won a minor Class 2 race at Doncaster. Has SDS (Silvestre De Sousa) onboard. The danger could come from Regal Reality trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Jim Crowley who is having a fantastic Royal Ascot this year. (15) Aloe Vera for each way backers needs to improve big time but could outrun her odds.
Race 3 - Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Market)
This could go to the French with (2) CELESTIN trained by Fabrice Chappet. Was 4th in the French 2000 Guineas at Deauville recently (race won by Victor Ludorum). Back down in trip and headgear on bodes well. Dangers include (4) King Leonidas trained by John Gosden. Has won over 7f & the mile at Newmarket. Big run expected. (8) Molatham beat Wichita (2nd in the 2000 Guineas this month) last year and has won over 7f twice at Doncaster (Wichita race) and York. Win or go close.
Race 4 - Chesham Stakes (Listed) (Market)
(7) MODERN NEWS trained by Charlie Appleby goes on top. Won on debut over 6f at Newmarket over a week ago beating stablemate Noble Dynasty the fav for the race that day. Expecting more today. (1) Battleground (Aidan O’Brien), (5) Golden Flame (Mark Johnston) and (2) Bright Devil (Andrew Balding) all deserve a mention but I think this one goes to the boys in blue.
Race 5 - Gold Cup (Group 1) (Market)
(4) STRADIVARIUS is a huge fav for this race and I can’t see past him in it. Superstar stayer who has won this race the last 2 years so should be very hard to beat. Back in action at Newmarket over a week ago when third in the Grp1 Coronation Cup at Newmarket (down in trip). For better value look at (1) Cross Counter to follow him home for 2nd as an each way go.
Value: (1) Cross Counter $12
Race 6 - Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Market)
Unfortunatel my original selection Grove Ferry is a non-runner, so I'm left with (6) Khaloosy on top for Roger Varian and the form jockey of the first few days, Jim Crowley. He was a 4 ½ length winner in his last race at Wolverhampton on the all-weather. He steps up to a handicap now and should go well at double figure odds.
Race 7 - Sandringham Stakes (Fillies' Handicap) (Market)
(17) AFRICAN DREAM to land the lucky last. A nose from beating Stylistique (nice one) last time at Newbury over 7f. Serious contender. (6) Soffika 2nd in the Grp3 Sweet Solera Stakes over 7f at Newmarket on last start. Step up in trip a likely plus.
