Royal Ascot Day Three Betting Tips

Royal Ascot goes through the midpoint on Thursday, and it's the flagship afternoon with the Gold Cup itself the main dish.

Aside from the big race, there's the Norfolk, Ribblesdale and Hampton Court in terms of group-race action, while Thursday's handicaps include the King George V Stakes and the Britannia Stakes before the closing Buckingham Palace Stakes.

Here are our fancies for day three at Royal Ascot.

Royal Ascot Day 3 Race Tips

Ladies' day at Royal Ascot is always saved for the meeting's marquee race, the Gold Cup. While a bit of a throwback these days, this 2m4f race has a heritage that very few races can match.

It is the centrepiece of another fantastic betting card at Ascot, which also features the Norfolk Stakes (3.05), the Ribblesdale Stakes (3.45) and a particularly exciting renewal of the Hampton Court Stakes (5.40), which has attracted the French Derby runner-up. There are also handicaps galore and we have selected our best bets in all seven races.

14:30 - Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 5f)

Expect the action in the Norfolk Stakes to favour the near side, as form leaders WHISTLEJACKET and Arizona Blaze are both drawn on that side. It is hard to get away from the former, who has already beaten Arizona Blaze and did so looking like he would devour Ascot's stiff finish. This could be the juvenile performance of the week.

Selection: Whistlejacket @ 11/10

15:05 - King George V Stakes (1m4f)

Strangely, in big-field races over 1m4f at Ascot you want to be drawn high rather than low. That is just another factor that goes in favour of GOING THE DISTANCE. He is progressive, has proved himself over almost as far a trip and his dam had loads of form on quick ground. He will break from stall 18 and rates as a serious contender in a race that his trainer Ralph Beckett won three years ago with Surefire.

Selection: Going The Distance @ 13/2

15:45 - Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2, 1m4f)

This is a rerun of the Oaks for horses that were not forward enough to go to Epsom. It has also been dominated by trainers named O'Brien and Gosden. Ralph Beckett is likely to take more of a hand, the way he is going, and FOREST FAIRY looks a good-value option in this year's race. She was fast-tracked to the Oaks, but either the softer ground or the track caught her out. She rolled around under pressure and finished only seventh. Back on better ground, she can get back on track.

Selection: Forest Fairy @ 10/1

16:25 - Gold Cup (Group 1, 2m4f)

Kyprios is the best horse in the Gold Cup and has a good record of getting the job done, but his quirks are there for all to see. His main danger is TRAWLERMAN, who beat him in the Long Distance Cup here in October and ran a satisfactory prep race in Dubai when last seen. Trawlerman suits Ascot, he has more form on quick ground than most of the field and remains more open to improvement than most, especially at this extreme trip. He is the standout selection at the prices.

Selection: Trawlerman @ 7/1

17:05 - Britannia Stakes (1m)

On Ascot's straight course, you need to travel well and stay the trip thoroughly. INVOLVEMENT scores well on both factors, having gone smoothly through a warm handicap at Haydock last time and on his previous run having run with credit over an extended mile. His dam was third in the Oaks, which boosts his stamina and class credentials. While a bit of luck is always needed, he ticks plenty of boxes here.

Selection: Involvement @ 12/1

17:40 - Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f)

The Hampton Court has been going through a lean spell but this running looks like a cracker. First Look was second in the Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, last time. He could be eclipsed here by KING'S GAMBIT. He won the London Gold Cup, a hot handicap which has often pointed towards this race, by four lengths last time. He did it off a slow pace, too, which makes trouncing the field like he did that bit more difficult. He looks Group class and can master First Look.

Selection: King's Gambit '@ 2/1

18:15 - Buckingham Palace Stakes (7f)

Plenty of punters will have been guilty of giving FRESH chance after chance. Surely there can be no excuses today. The ground is quick, which is what suits him best. He is drawn in stall 30, which is typically the 'right' side on Ascot's straight course. And he is running over 7f, which appeals as his ideal trip. Hayley Turner rides Ascot well and is no negative to be on his back. Today could be the day for Fresh.

Selection: Fresh @ 12/1

Background on Royal Ascot Day 3

The history of Royal Ascot dates back to the early 1700s, but over the years, this racing event has developed further to bring a broader range of races for spectators. It has since gone on to become one of the more popular racing events in the UK, including a host of Grade 1 races.

Thursday of Royal Ascot will bring the following races; the Ribblesdale Stakes and Gold Cup. Each of these is different in its own way, and you will be able to find different runners participating.

In advance of the races getting underway on Day 3 of Royal Ascot, you can look at the historical results from previous years, providing information on the most successful jockeys, trainers and horses.

Bet on Royal Ascot

Top Races and Contenders

Regarding day 3 of Royal Ascot, the tips and strategies applied to each race will vary due to the difference in runners and the layout of the race. That said, many of the general betting tips will remain the same across the events.

Over the course of the day, there will be a total of seven races which will include the Norfolk Stakes, King George V Stakes, Ribblesdale Stakes, Gold Cup, Britannia Stakes, Hampton Court Stakes and the Buckingham Palace Stakes. Of these races, the Gold Cup and Ribblesdale Stakes are the highlights for the day.

Ribblesdale Stakes

The Ribblesdale Stakes is run over a distance of one mile and four furlongs and is open to fillies of three years or older.

Looking at key statistics from previous years, John Gosden is the most successful trainer, potentially offering a signal that his runners tend to fare well in the Ribblesdale Stakes.

Bet on the Ribblesdale Stakes

Gold Cup

The Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 race that is run over two miles and four furlongs. Over the last few years, favourites have been successful in the Ascot Gold Cup, having won six from the last 10.

John Gosden is the notable trainer from the previous ten races, as his runner has gone on to win four consecutive races from 2018 to 2021.

Bet on the Ascot Gold Cup

Norfolk Stakes

This Group 2 race covers a distance of five furlongs, with only two-year-olds being accepted into the race. When looking at the previous ten winners, Aidan O’Brien ranks among the most successful with two winners coming in the years of 2017 and 2015.

Bet on the Norfolk Stakes

King George V Stakes

This handicap race covers a distance of one mile and four furlongs. Regarding trainers, Mark Johnston and Sir Michael Stoute have recorded the best success, with Johnston noting six winners and Stoute marking down four.

One of the most notable trends for this race is the lack of winners that have previously won a Group 1-3 race.

Britannia Stakes

Britannia Stakes is identified as a one-mile handicap race that is open to runners of three years old. Looking at the statistics from recent races, a majority have had a top-three finish within the last two starts. As well as this, these runners have typically received ratings of more than 90.

Hampton Court Stakes

As a one-mile and two-furlong race, the Hampton Court Stakes is available to runners of three years old, competing across a flat track. Among the previous winners of past races, the majority finished in a top 3 placement in their last run.

Buckingham Palace Stakes

Kicking off at 18:10 on day 3 of Royal Ascot, the Buckingham Palace Stakes will be run over a distance of seven furlongs, and it will be open to runners of three years or older.

From the historical statistics of this race in recent years, the Buckingham Palace Stakes winners have typically been aged four or five on average, signalling that more experienced runners are the potential favourites.

Royal Ascot - Day 3 Betting Strategies

Royal Ascot Day 3 tips vary depending on the race you want to bet on; however, some generic tips can be applied throughout the day.

Firstly, the conditions on the day can impact the outcome of each race, as some runners can perform better on a harder surface. For example, if there is a lot of rain on day three or even the day before, the ground is likely to be softer, making the conditions more difficult for the runners to compete.

You can also browse the statistics for the previous ten races, offering insights into the most successful trainers, jockeys and runners for each meeting on day 3 of Royal Ascot.

Although you can't guarantee wins with betting strategies, they are useful to have when it comes to managing your budget and making the best potential selections across all the races available.

Royal Ascot Day 3 Summary

Day 3 of Royal Ascot will take place on Thursday 22nd June 2023, and has become well-known as Ladies' Day. Alongside the amazing fashion selections, there is also a selection of races available, with betting markets constantly being updated as the races quickly approach.