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

Wednesday, 19th June 2024

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

I sent out betting advice for this afternoon – Day 2 at Royal Ascot – yesterday. View it here….

I’m always a day in advance of what’s going on – and I’m already thinking about Day 3….

…. which means the King George V Stakes (3.05)– a handicap restricted to 3yos and run over the 12f trip….

…. the Britannia Stakes (5.05) – another race for the 3yos but this time up the straight mile….

…. and the Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.15) – up the 7f straight….

Without further ado….

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In the King George V Stakes – 3.05….

Each of the last 10 winners of this race was rated between 88 and 95….

…. and nine of those winners were trying the 12f trip for the first time….

Owned by the King and trained by William Haggas, GILDED WATER ticks both boxes….

…. and he looks potentially very well treated on an opening handicap mark of 92….

It took him three attempts to win his maiden….

…. but when that first victory came – at Chepstow on the last day in May – it coincided with his first go at 10f….

He absolutely trounced his opposition that day….

…. including some smart-bred types from decent yards….

…. and he gave a very strong impression that the extra quarter-mile tomorrow will lead to more improvement still….

He was eased down heavily at the death at Chepstow by Tom Marquand….

…. but still manged a time 4+ seconds in advance of the winner of the second division of the race….

…. and there’s no doubt in my mind that the mark of 92 will prove generous….

The 10s about him is fair enough….

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In the Britannia Stakes – 5.05….

Qirat is a worthy favourite having been put up just 4lb for his win last time at Goodwood….

…. but at the prices I much prefer STARLORE who finished behind him in 7th that day on the Sussex Downs….

It could have been so much better for Sir Michael Stoute’s colt – who can be backed at a general 14s for tomorrow’s race….

He was slow away and always out the rear….

…. but travelled nicely….

…. before hitting the straight where he endured a typical nightmare Goodwood passage….

…. finding himself blocked behind a wall of horses with no room for manoeuvre for the best part of a quarter mile….

When he did get into daylight at the furlong pole he was following part of the pathway the winner had already trodden – and was on the back foot having lost momentum….

The situation was probably hopeless at that point – and he’d lost a shoe….

…. but he did catch the eye with his work at the finish – suggesting the step up to the mile will suit….

He was only beaten a couple of lengths….

…. and the overall impression was that he’s plenty better than the bare placings suggest….

He runs off the same mark of 98 tomorrow – and that looks plenty workable on the Goodwood evidence….

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In the Buckingham Palace Stakes – 6.15….

I’m two-against-the-field in this one….

First up BILLYJOH at the 22s & 20s….

…. this will be his first go at the 7f trip but he’s been doing all his best work late on over 6f in his most recent races….

…. and the extra yardage could well see him to best effect yet….

He’s on the right side of the track, he’ll handle the ground and I think he’s well-handicapped on 93….

The other one I like is The X O….

…. he was trying 7f for the first time on his last appearance at Epsom….

…. on the softest ground he’s encountered to date….

…. and he ran a belter after travelling wide throughout….

Ascot will suit him better – he ran a big race in a G3 at the track as a 3yo – albeit over 6f….

…. so too will quicker ground….

He’s another one on the stands side of the track and he could run a big race at the 40s & 33s….

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• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for Day 4 at Royal Ascot….

Win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

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