ROYAL ASCOT 2015. DAY THREE THURSDAY 18th JUNE

Thursday Weather update -- Any early rain in the south soon clearing on Thursday then along with Friday, dry with sunny spells. High of 20C. 

Going -- Good to Firm

DAY THREE

Gold Cup day, also known as LADIES DAY -- 'but hang on' I hear you shout -- every day is Ladies Day here are Royal Ascot, you just can't move for the amount of dresses and hats on show, even the Essex Girls have made an effort and the fake tan is giving off a nice orange glow in the silver ring. 

Before we reach the big one we've a few other decent events to take in, which will start at 2:30 with the Norfolk Stakes over 5f for 2yos.

While it's obvious the appeal about KING OF ROOKS the fact he's odds on for this event is enough to put us off from a value perspective if nothing else. The place market is where it's at for this one and WATERLOO BRIDGE looks way overpriced at 16/1 for O'Brien and Ryan Moore who is already banging in the winners at the Royal meeting. 

2:30 Result
1st 11 Waterloo Bridge  (R L Moore, 12/1) :) 
2nd 6 Log Out Island  13/8
3rd 5 King Of Rooks  11/8 fav


At 3:05 we have the Tercentenary Stakes (which I know better as the Hampton Court Stakes) and it's a Group 3 for 3yos over 1m 2f. Why they have to mess about with the names I don't know, what does this one mean? 300th anniversary of Hampton Court or what? Can't be that, anyway back to the race ... 

PEACOCK [NAP] is the one for us today, 2nd to this years Derby winner Golden Horn he then went out and took a listed event at HQ. Anything that can get as close to Golden Horn as he did that time should be up to taking a Group 3. 

3:05 Result
1st 13 Time Test  (L Dettori, 15/8 fav)
2nd 11 Peacock  5/1
3rd 8 Mustadeem  20/1


3:40 is the RIBBLESDALE Stakes a Group 2 event for 3yo Fillies (well it IS ladies day). And it's another odds on shot to avoid in PLEASCACH though clearly comes here with the best form. 

John Gosden has ZAMOURA and is priced at 25/1 with Frankie Dettori in the saddle should be a good win/place bet in this field.

3:40 Result
1st 2 Curvy  (R L Moore, 9/2 2nd-fav)
2nd 8 Pleascach  Evens fav
3rd 6 Pamona  8/1

4:20 Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP 2m 4f

The Gold Cup is the feature race of the whole week as far as I am concerned, despite all the other Group 1 races I think the mix of Ladies Day and the stayers makes this the day to attend and this year ought to be another cracker. 

Usually goes to something in the forefront of the betting market and no surprise if FORGOTTEN RULES retains his unbeaten status. 

Naturally the trip is the concern as it is for many who come here with lofty reputations, and at a much bigger price is WINDSHEAR, good enough to be 4th in the St Leger last year and 25/1 is about right if you don't fancy the favourite. 

4:20 Result THE ASCOT GOLD CUP
1st 12 Trip To Paris  (G Lee, 12/1)
2nd 9 Kingfisher  5/1
3rd 3 Forgotten Rules  5/2 fav


5:00 is the Britannia Stakes over the straight mile. Only 30 runners (3 reserves declared) so nice and easy as you can tell. 

First for us with the high draw is Barry Hills' SAHAAFY who's is lightly raced and has taken a small handicap at HQ though it WAS on Good to firm going and running in his own age bracket is probably best at this stage. 

On the lower side of things, the unusually named UDODODONTU has the benefit of a recent victory at York in a 17 runner affair which is much more than a lot of these can say.

5.00 Result
1st 2 War Envoy  (R L Moore, 10/1)
2nd 26 Udododontu  14/1
3rd 16 Sacrificial  28/1
4th 6 Carry On Deryck  33/1 


5:35 The King George V Stakes over 1m 4f for 3yos and only the 19 runners for this one. And TAPER TANTRUM is one that could be able to make this step up in grade as his recent placing behind a couple of decent types reads well.

SPACE AGE looks the pick of the Godolphin pair. 

5.35 Result
1st 6 Space Age (IRE)  (W Buick, 9/1)
2nd 3 Scottish (IRE)  7/1
3rd 10 Marma's Boy  16/1
4th 5 King Bolete (IRE)  9/2



Should be able to update results from today during the early evening, and we've still got Friday and Saturday to enjoy. 

Oh and if this wasn't enough there's another meeting from Pontefract to savour on Sunday afternoon.