THE Gold Cup is front and centre for day three of Royal Ascot, where Trawlerman will look to defend his crown against up-and-coming stayers Scandinavia and Rahiebb.
Will he be fit enough to do himself justice after a rare eye condition has kept him off the track since October, or will his class be enough to keep a stranglehold on the staying division?
Before we answer the million-dollar question, let’s delve into the support races to find the next Royal Ascot winner.
🏇 Royal Ascot day three tips
*Odds are subject to change
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Royal Ascot 2:30 – Listed Chesham Stakes (Class 1) (2yo) – 7f
Aidan O’Brien has won the Chesham seven times, and it looks set fair that he can add yet another win to his tally with the exciting AIX LA CHAPELLE.
Having been sent off the less fancied of the two, Aix La Chapelle overcame clear greenness over two furlongs out to run down the experienced clear leader and pull away to win by over four lengths.
That was an impressive start to his career, and given that Aidan’s runners always come on for their debut run, there should be a lot more to come from this well-bred son of Justify.
Time For The Moon created a good impression when getting off the mark in clear-cut style on his second start at Musselburgh, and could prove up to the challenge of putting it up to Aix La Chapelle over this stiff seven furlongs.
Selection: Aix La Chapelle 13/8
Danger: Time For The Moon 11/2
➡️ Bet on AIX LA CHAPELLE for the Listed Chesham Stakes at 13/8 with bet365
Royal Ascot 3:05 – King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) – 1m4f
A wide-open handicap where many have plenty of room for improvement tackling a new distance. Many here smack of improvers, and none more so than the Joseph O’Brien-trained ENCELADUS.
He got off the mark at the third time of asking after finishing third in his two starts as a two-year-old, and he did so by seeing off Almazann. He strikes me as a horse who is going to relish this step up in distance, and with Ryan Moore on board, the son of Sea The Stars ticks a lot of boxes.
That form ties in with Cannes, who hails from the same stable, and on a strict line through that form, there may not be much splitting the stablemates. However, Enceladus gets the nod.
Into The Light, Tierra Del Toro, and the experienced Al Azd head the list of dangers.
Selection: Enceladus 12/1 (e/w)
Danger: Into The Light 5/1
➡️ Bet on ENCELADUS for the King George V Stakes at 12/1 with BetMGM
Royal Ascot 3:40 – Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) – 1m4f
Legacy Link is the obvious starting point on the back of her Musidora win at York, but she comes in here on the back of a quick turnaround after another high-class effort at Epsom. She will be hard to beat if her Epsom effort has not left its mark, but at her current odds, there is value elsewhere.
The one who could have a lot more to come after her breakthrough win at Leopardstown is the strapping JOHANNA WALSH.
A change of tactics to front-running worked the oracle at Leopardstown, and the form of that win has already taken a boost with the runner-up Believed (who runs in the 3:05) going on to win her next start by over eight lengths.
Johanna Walsh is the stamp of a filly who will relish the extra two furlongs, and this daughter of Sea The Stars should be capable of some high-class form.
Of the others, Golden Orbit and Earth Shot look set to go well.
Selection: Johanna Walsh 7/1 (e/w)
Danger: Legacy Link 7/4
➡️ Bet on JOHANNA WALSH for the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at 7/1 with bet365
Royal Ascot 4:15 – Group 1 Gold Cup (Class 1) (4yo+) – 2m4f
The showpiece of day three of Royal Ascot sees Trawlerman looking to hold onto the crown that he won in runaway fashion last season. He’s not going to lie down without a fight as he looks to fend off the younger legs, but the lack of match practice may be his downfall here
Rahiebb and SCANDINAVIA sit above him in the betting, but the latter could take some stopping today.
Last season’s St Leger winner smacks of a Gold Cup horse, and he arrives here at peak fitness after two wins in April and May. His style of racing will give him every chance of getting this new distance, and when many are crying enough, Scandinavia will only begin to dig into his stamina reserves. This four-year-old has the potential to take over the staying division for years to come.
Last season’s Queen’s Vase winner Carmers got back to winning ways at Down Royal last month, and even though he has it to find with Scandinavia from their meeting in the St Leger, he is the type that could relish this test and give you a run for your money at big odds.
Selection: Scandinavia 7/4
Danger: Trawlerman 9/2
➡️ Bet on SCANDINAVIA for the Group 1 Gold Cup at 7/4 with bet365
Royal Ascot 4:50 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) – 1m
One of, if not the most difficult handicaps to solve at Royal Ascot, and this year is no different. A max field of 30 will fight it out down the Ascot straight mile, and you would be foolish to discount any of the runners.
Experience is never a bad thing in a race of this nature, but a chance is taken on the unexposed OUTBACK HEAT.
The Hardy Eustace-trained gelding is two from three in his career, but more importantly, he’s a course and distance winner.
He doesn’t do much when hitting the front, and that was evident when only doing what he had to do at this track last time out. He will get a race run to suit, and there is every chance that Outback Heat can make it back-to-back course and distance victories.
Crest Of Fire, St Anton, Conclave, and Langstone can all play an each-way role.
Selection: Outback Heat 11/1 (e/w)
Danger: St Anton 22/1
➡️ Bet on OUTBACK HEAT for the Britannia Stakes at 11/1 with SBK
Royal Ascot 5:35 – Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes (Class 1) (3yo) – 1m2f
The form of ENDORSEMENT’S third in the Ballysax, where he was just behind Derby hero Christmas Day, is hard to get away from. He has since gone on to win a Listed race over 1m4f at Leopardstown from the front, and the drop down in distance should hold no fear if he takes up his front-running role once again.
Endorsement is uncomplicated, has winning form over further, and has more room for improvement in him. Should Ryan Moore get to dictate his own fractions in front, then this son of Wootton Bassett will prove hard to pass up the home straight.
His stablemate Italy may prove the biggest danger, along with Oxagon and My Love Is King who are both set to go well.
Selection: Endorsement 9/4
Danger: Italy 5/1
➡️ Bet on ENDORSEMENT for the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at 9/4 with Betfred
Royal Ascot 6:10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – 7f
Royal Velvet comes in here seeking a hat-trick of wins, and given his progress, an 11lb higher mark now back in handicaps may not be enough to keep him out of the frame.
Great Acclaim looks set to be popular given his course form, as does Colombier, who now gets the assistance of Ryan Moore after getting off the mark for his new stable last time out.
However, another chance is given to DANCE IN THE STORM, who will be bang there should she leave her Epsom disappointment behind her. Prior to her blowout on the Downs, Dance In The Storm was an impressive winner at Chester, overcoming a pace bias to get the job done in style.
This race will be run to suit her strong-travelling style, and with the guarantee of that, she can well pounce late and fast to get back to winning ways.
Selection: Dance In The Storm 10/1 (e/w)
Danger: Royal Velvet 11/1
➡️ Bet on DANCE IN THE STORM for the Buckingham Palace Stakes at 10/1 with Betway
Read more of our 2026 World Cup betting coverage
About the author
Craig Mahood
Craig Mahood is an expert in sports betting and online casinos and has worked with the company since 2020. He joined the Betting & Gaming team at The Jattvibe in June 2022 and works closely with the leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to provide content on all areas of sports betting and gaming. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter at the Scottish Jattvibe, covering Scottish football with particular focus on Celtic and Rangers, As well as football, he has covered horse racing, boxing, darts, the Olympics and tennis for the Jattvibe.
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