Thursday Weather update -- There was a slim chance of showers today and any early rain in the south should soon clear on Thursday then along with Friday, dry with sunny spells. High of 18C so although dry not as warm as you would have liked for Ladies Day.
DAY THREE Going -- Good to Soft
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 a big effort and the fake tan is giving off a nice orange glow in the Queen Anne enclosure and betting ring.
Before we reach the big race today we've a few other decent events to take in, racing will start at 2:30 with the NORFOLK STAKES over 5f for 2yos.
A nice field of 15 runners declared, this won't be easy to determine, since every horse bar two has at least won a race so far. The American challenge has come up a little short so far this year, maybe the rain softened ground not to their usual liking, although Wesley Ward won this last year and MAVEN [Non Runner] should be given a look over in the parade ring and betting market.
The Jamie Osborne trained filly EMTEN won her maiden at Windsor with a good turn of foot, and while a 50/1 shot here I'm onside each way and hopeful. [5th 80/1 and ran a cracker so keep an eye on this one]
2:30 Royal Ascot -- Norfolk Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st. A'ali 5/1 (L Dettori)
2nd. Ventura Rebel 16/1
3rd. Dubai Station 14/1
15 runners line up for this renewal, some fine looking animals here and Her Majesty has EIGHTSOME REEL in the line up and wouldn't it be great to cheer home a Royal winner on Ladies Day. The all powerful Coolmore operation run CAPE OF GOOD HOPE who won at Epsom (beating Cap Francis who re-opposes again here) and then was 4th in the French Derby.
3:05 Royal Ascot -- Hampton Court Stakes (1m 2f)
RESULT
1st. Sangarius 13/2 (L Dettori)
2nd. Fox Chairman (IRE) 7/2 f
3rd. King Ottokar (FR) 5/1
3:40 is the RIBBLESDALE STAKES a Group 2 event for 3yo Fillies (well it IS ladies day).
Of the eleven declared there are a few that come into this with interesting form this term, FLEETING was disappointing in the 1000 Guineas and was much more herself when 3rd in the Oaks at Epsom a repeat of that should go very close here today. QUEEN POWER would surely be better on Good/Firm ground and therefore we look at the John Gosden trained STAR CATCHER who has winning form on Good to Soft and 10/1 looks a good win/place option today.
3:40 Royal Ascot -- Ribblesdale Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st. Star Catcher 4/1 (L Dettori)
2nd. Fleeting 7/4 f
3rd. Sparkle Roll 11/1
Three from Three for Dettori and he's on the favourite in the next so can he go through the card again?
4:20 Royal 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.
A field of eleven are declared and includes last years champion stayer STRADIVARIUS who should be a short price to complete a Gold Cup double and could have most to fear from last years Derby runner up DEE EX BEE who seems to have improved the further the trip. Of course this is another step forwards but the percentage call is to load up on Stradivarius in doubles and trebles.
The Irish challenge begins with the 2017 St Leger winner CAPRI but hasn't looked the same animal since that win so it's MAGIC CIRCLE that is the big interest having won the Chester Cup and went over to run in the Melbourne Cup down under but clearly a good stayer should be there at the end.
4:20 Royal Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP (2m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- Stradivarius EvensF (L Dettori)
2nd -- Dee Ex Bee 7/2
3rd -- Master Of Reality 66/1
And it's Frankie again that's four from four and the bookies running scared again could he do all six?
5:00 is the BRITANNIA STAKES over the straight mile. Only 30 runners and 9/1 the field so nice and easy as you can tell.
Top weights seem to go well in these big handicaps here so worth a good look at DARK VISION who's forecast 25/1 and drawn in stall 1 too the Mark Johnston inmate well worth an each way interest.
The colours carried by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha the late owner of Leicester City FC and run in the name of King Power Racing are represented here by HERO HERO who is drawn on the high side of the track and would be a popular and emotional winner.
So we'll also look for one down the middle for balance and that would have to be DAVYDENKO (drawn 15) may only have won a couple of smaller races for Sir Michael Stoute but with the master trainer any amount of improvement is possible.
5.00 Royal Ascot -- Britannia Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- Biometric 28/1 (H Bentley)
2nd -- Turgenev 7/2 f
3rd -- Fanaar 50/1
4th -- Awe 14/1
5:35 -- KING GEORGE V STAKES over 1m 4f for 3yos and only the 19 runners for this one (2 reserves declared too). Plenty of big named trainers here and should be a good pace up front which could set it up for one of QUESTIONARE (John Gosden) and SIR RON PRIESTLEY (Mark Johnston).
IF he can get into the final line up then the Frankel colt GANTIER might belie his 33/1 price tag as he's not been out of the first three since his debut run at Newmarket last year.
5.35 Royal Ascot -- King George V Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- South Pacific 22/1 (J A Heffernan)
2nd -- Constantinople 11/2
3rd -- Eminence 25/1
4th -- Persian Moon 33/1
It was still Frankie Dettori's day although just the four winners in the end, even so a great day here and a marvellous Gold Cup victory for Stradivarius.
Results from today have been updated during the early evening, and we've still got Friday and Saturday to enjoy and if this wasn't enough there's another meeting from Pontefract to savour on Sunday afternoon too.
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