The pick of the prices on Day 3 at Royal Ascot....

Wednesday, 17th June 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 3 at Royal Ascot….

>>>>> Get selections for Day 2 here….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on Day 3 at Royal Ascot….

I’m on AL AZD in the 3.05 – up at 11s & 10s….

…. I’m on JAMESTOWN at 22s & 20s in the 4.50….

…. and I’m on MEZCALA at 14s in the 6.10….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the King George V – Ascot – 3.05….

Half the field have never been tried over 12f….

…. and whilst it’s entirely possible one of those could improve for the trip and win I prefer to side with one that won’t be stepping into uncharted territory….

Roger Varian’s AL AZD is the one I like at the general 11s & 10s….

I backed him for the London Gold Cup at Sandown last month – but he never really figured and got beaten 4.5 lengths….

Being slowest away from the stalls that afternoon and taking time to get going –losing lengths in the process – didn’t help his cause one bit….

…. but he was doing all his best work from the back right at the end of the 10f trip and the suggestion is that stepping back up to 12f tomorrow will be much more up his street….

Granted his two victories over the mile-and-a-half were produced in a maiden and a C4 handicap – and much more is required of him tomorrow….

…. but he hit the line well in both those races….

…. giving the impression he can improve beyond a mark of 92….

…. and he can resume progress tomorrow at what is likely his optimum trip….

Four of the last five renewals of this were won from high stalls….

…. Al Azd is berthed in stall 14….

…. it’s not super high – but it’s a sight better than being drawn close to the rail over this trip in a field this size….

…. and – when you consider the reserves are set to be scratched from stalls 17, 18 & 19 – it’s a better stall than it might appear at first glance….

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…. the Britannia – Ascot – 4.50....

From the perplexing conundrum that is the King George….

…. we move on to the Britannia – 30 unexposed 3yos running up the straight mile….

…. where finding one you can’t make a case for is a bigger challenge than finding one you can….

…. nobody ever said this game is easy….

I’m going to have a swing of the bat and back David Marnane’s JAMESTOWN at the general 22s & 20s….

…. I think the horse is a lively and progressive candidate who could significantly outrun those odds….

Connections hold this horse in high regard….

…. evidenced by their willingness to send him over the Irish Sea for the Silver Bowl at Haydock in May….

It was a wasted journey as it turned out because the meeting was abandoned before the race could be run….

…. but just three days later – on the back of all the travelling – Jamestown turned out at Dundalk….

…. won a maiden in impressive style…. looking very much like a horse with a lot more to give going forward…. and showcasing a strong mindset and iron constitution….

He got raised 6lb to a mark of 90 – which in no way whatsoever puts the mockers on him….

…. and now he gets into this big race at the bottom end of the weights….

Don’t underestimate David Marnane….

…. he knows how to ready one – whilst protecting the mark – for a proper tilt at a big-field straight-track handicap at the Royal meeting….

…. winning the Wokingham with Dandy Boy in 2012….

…. winning the Royal Hunt Cup with Settle For Bay in 2018….

…. and he had a very near miss with Jamesie in the 2012 edition of the Buckingham Palace….

I reckon Jamestown could be well in advance of where the market has him….

…. in stall 25 he’s on the right part of the track….

…. and I fancy him to run a big one….

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…. the Buckingham Palace – Ascot – 6.10....

I’m backing Jack Channon’s MEZCALA for this at the 14s….

He’s up 9lb from the mark he comfortably won the Spring Mile from at Doncaster – in a time very comparable to the Lincoln….

…. but I think there’s more to come yet off a mark of 94 – especially over a stiff 7f like he gets tomorrow….

I wasn’t enamoured by the way he finished last time out when placing in the Spring Cup at Newbury over the mile….

…. and – whilst he was once thought of as a 10f horse in the making – I like the drop back in trip tomorrow which will enable him to travel into the race strong and use his stamina in the closing stages….

It’s worth noting that he holds an entry in next month’s Bunbury Cup at Newmarket and another in the International back at Ascot in July….

…. which suggests connections believe that high-tempo premier handicaps over 7f are the route forward for the 4yo….

Tom Marquand is no random booking….

…. he has a longstanding relationship with the yard…. rode extensively for Mick Channon…. and was something of a ‘go-to’ rider for high-profile target rides….

Over the last 12-months Marquand has ridden 48 for Jack Channon – winning on 12 and hitting the front three on 14 more….

…. and I see his booking – he’s regarded as one of the strongest finishers in the game – as a declaration of intent….

The pair are drawn in stall 30 – which is on the gold mine section of the track as far as this race is concerned….

…. and Marquand will have pace to track – The Wizard Of Eye and Elarak are drawn either side of him….

…. which will serve to set him nicely for a strong finish up the final hill under a typical Tom Marquand drive….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with picks for Day 4 (Friday).…

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

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