ROYAL ASCOT 2020 [Behind Closed Doors]. DAY THREE THURSDAY 18th JUNE

Thursday Weather update -- Plenty of rain fell overnight which has changed the going, there will be chance of further showers today and early rain in the south should soon clear on Thursday then along with Friday, dry with sunny spells. High of 18C no worries for a Ladies Day that will be sadly lacking in fashion and stunning beauty behind closed doors this year.


Day Three - Thursday, June 18
Going -- Good to Soft.
Today is Gold Cup day, also traditionally would be 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. Sadly not this year.


1.15pm The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)
1m 2f   [£35,000  18 runners]
Gold Cup day kicks off with a big field 3yo handicap over 10f where top weights HIGHLAND CHIEF [Won 20/1] (P Cole) along with GRAND ROCK (W Haggas) both have won on soft going so would prefer the rain this week to be most effective. The connections of HYPOTHETICAL have to be respected but this colt hasn't really done that much in his two all weather runs to be favourite here though was put into Group 3 on only second start (beaten five lengths) so I would prefer the form of GLOBAL STORM for Godolphin here on the back of his wins at Newmarket again one that would appreciate more rain this week.

Results:

1st    Highland Chief 20/1  [Rossa Ryan]
2nd   Tritonic 9/1
3rd    Global Storm 7/2f
4th    HMS President 33/1

1.50pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
1m 2f  [£50,000  16 runners]
Must be a race of this nature for SIR DRAGONET given he was sent off favourite for last years Epsom Derby (finishing 5th) and although this is 2f shorter must be the one to beat. Difficult to know what the filly ALOE VERA [Non Runner] is in terms of fitness as a 4yo but won a listed event on only her second start and remains unbeaten, meets older horses now but interesting at a decent price too. Don't discount the older horses from the big yards, both CROSSED BATON / MOUNTAIN HUNTER have been successful at this level before now and represent top class connections.

Results:
1st    Mountain Angel 8/1  [James Doyle]
2nd   Sir Dragonet 15/8f
3rd    Regal Reality 11/2

2.25pm The Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
7f  [£60,000  15 runners]
Step into Group class for our next 3yo contest, will continue my interest in KING LEONIDAS who did us a good turn winning on 1000 Guineas day and although this Group 3 is harder that run should have done him no harm. Godolphin's filly FINAL SONG belied her 100/1 price finishing 4th in the 1000 Guineas and with the weight allowance might be hard to crack under a William Buick ride. One to look at again with a big price tag is the consistent (but frustrating) ROPEY GUEST placed frequently as a 2yo wouldn't be hard to see him going close again at the finish but perhaps not one for the win and an each way bet at 40/1 this morning.

Results:
1st     Molatham 11/2  [Jim Crowley]
2nd    Monarch of Egypt 4/1
3rd     Symbolize 40/1

3.00pm The Chesham Stakes (Listed)
7f  [£40,000  9 runners]
It's the 2yo's turn next, the Chesham Stakes usually a race to take pointers for the future, but at least all nine declared runners have had a previous outing to view. Even though beaten on debut the fact Aiden O'Brien and Coolmore send BATTLEGROUND [Won 11/4] as their only representative speaks loudly. Probably going to improve for that run at Naas, and the market will give us plenty of clues. Godolphin run MODERN NEWS who is one of four winners in this field, only won a Newmarket maiden by a neck from stablemate Noble Dynasty and is stepping up in trip too. Only two winners over this trip here FIRST PROPHET (C Fellowes) CONCESSIONS (R Hannon) with preference for the latter, the filly won going away in a small field last time but proven experience at the trip might be important.

Results:
1st     Battleground 11/4f  [R L Moore]
2nd    March Law  18/1
3rd     Seattle Rock 80/1

Frankie winning in 2019 on Stradivarius

3:35 Royal Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP
2m 4f  8 runners

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 despite the unusual nature of this years meeting. 

A field of eight are declared for this years renewal and includes last years champion stayer STRADIVARIUS who should be a short price to complete a Gold Cup treble. Had a prep race in the Coronation Cup which was run at Newmarket finishing third which is not surprising given the pair ahead that day and would have only just got into his stride by the time the race was over, this extreme trip is his forte and the hat trick should be secured. The likes of TECHNICIAN won three nice races over in France last year and could well run on to place, while CROSS COUNTER did win the Melbourne Cup in 2018 and was fourth in this last year so will also be staying on late, but they have it all to do to stop Frankie winning another Group 1.

3:35 Royal Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP

Results:
1st     STRADIVARIUS 4/5f  [L Dettori]
2nd    Nayef Road 11/1
3rd     Cross Counter 7/1

4.10  The Britannia Stakes (Handicap)
1m  [£60,000  22 runners]
Another big field handicap now for 3yo's and run over the straight mile course, and we see about 8/1 the field. John Gosden makes this even trickier by running four with ENEMY possible his best option having won here on debut. Cieren Fallon had a huge winner last week and could be interesting on the Godolphin owned DUBAI MIRAGE, with his 3lb claim still very useful. JOHAN is already proven over the trip with so many here stepping up they might be found out with the relentless gallop on the straight course.

Results:
1st     Khalsooy 9/2  [Jim Crowley]
2nd    Finest Sound 11/4f
3rd     Cherokee Trail 16/1
4th     Enemy 6/1

4.40  The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap)
1m  [3yo fillies  £60,000  15 runners]
The final handicap also over the straight mile course is for 3yo fillies. DUBAI LOVE heads affairs and has winning form over the mile trip, as well as having experience in double figure fields which cannot be said for some others. However having to give weight away might prove difficult, so we'll take HUBOOR (Mark Johnston) along with ODYSSEY GIRL (R Spencer) against the field taking advantage of one drawn either side of the course.

Results:
1st     Onassis 33/1  [Hayley Turner]
2nd    Waliyak 4/1
3rd     Dubai Love 8/1

Results from today have been updated and well done to Stradivarius for his superb triple Gold Cup win and also to Jim Crowley for adding to his Royal Ascot tally with a double today and then Hayley Turner smashed the finale up on a 33/1 shot!! And yes we've still got Friday and Saturday to enjoy.