ROYAL ASCOT 2021. DAY THREE THURSDAY 17th JUNE

Thursday Weather update - The weather takes a turn on Thursday as the rain is expected today and likely to continue through the rest of the week. The temperature is still on the high side despite this with a max of 19C I hope this doesn't detract from the enjoyment of Ladies Day. 

DAY THREE 
Going -- Good [Good to Firm in places]
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. The meeting continues with a limited allocation of 12,000 spectators in attendance and might witness some history as Frankie Dettori will be seeking a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup on Stradivarius for trainers John and Thady Gosden this afternoon. 

2:30 Royal Ascot - Norfolk Stakes [Group 2]

5f  16 runners

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. Sixteen line up for the opening contest, an easy winner of a Dundalk maiden CADAMOSTO represents Aiden O'Brien and certain to attract plenty of interest, while LUCCI is the pick of the Wesley Ward pair. A very open renewal so will side with GO BEARS GO won here on his sole start and made all that day so one of the likely ones while ANDREAS VESALIUS has come on with each race for Joseph O'Brien and that's my pair against the field.
RESULT
1st - (12) Perfect Power @14/1 [P Hanagan].

3:05 Royal Ascot - Hampton Court Stakes [Group 3]

1m 1f 212y  10 runners

The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 contest for 3yos over a shade under 1m 2f. Nice of them to retain the original race name this season, we've a field of ten runners line up for this renewal, some fine looking thoroughbreds here with Godolphin dually represented One Ruler hasn't shown enough this season so SECRET PROTECTOR is the one to be considering from Charlie Appleby yard. MOHAAFETH has continued to improve as a 3yo and is upped to Group company now, this Frankel colt should fine this course, distance and going all to his liking for trainer William Haggas. Roman Empire should improve for the run back on Good ground but doesn't look like an outstanding candidate from Aiden O'Brien but might place at a good price.

RESULT
1st - (3) Mohaafeth @11/8f [Jim Crowley].

3:40 Royal Ascot - Ribblesdale Stakes [Group 2]

1m 3f 211y  13 runners

Time for the Ribblesdale Stakes a Group 2 event for 3yo fillies (plenty of races for the fillies mares well it IS ladies day after all). Thirteen runners, while the Gosden team won this last year they have three runners today trying to follow up, GLORIA MUNDI looks the pick of the trio and Frankie Dettori rides (also run Loving Dream and Taslima). Sir Michael Stoute usually goes well with his runners here, NOON STAR went off favourite for a Group 3 but was firmly beaten and might well find one too good again. ESHAADA has one both starts including a victory over Gloria Mundi and this well bred filly ought to be close again.
RESULT
1st - (5) Loving Dream @18/1 [Robert Havlin].

4:20 Royal Ascot - THE ASCOT GOLD CUP [Group 1]

2m 3f 210y  13 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. This is a big opportunity for a little bit of history if STRADIVARIUS can pick up his fourth Gold Cup to emulate Yates record (2006-2009). A very convincing winner here last year the field of twelve opponents on paper doesn't look that strong again and really ought to be a banker of the meeting. Plenty of big prices about most of the opposition but Mark Johnston knows plenty about the staying challenge so his inmate SUBJECTIVIST [WON @13/2] should be followed and was successful in Dubai and Longchamp over two miles so clearly has plenty of talent over the marathon trips (stable also runs Nayef Road a previous winner of the Ascot Sagaro stakes). The Irish challenge has plenty of runners, Aiden O'Brien sends three Amhran Na Bhfiann, Santiago and last year's Derby hero Serpentine. Son Joseph runs Twilight Payment while Donnacha has Emperor of the Sun but these are all stepping up in class (apart from Serpentine but stamina is unproven). 
THE ASCOT GOLD CUP
RESULT
1st - (12) Subjectivist @13/2 [J Fanning].

Stradivarius winning here again in 2020

5.00 Royal Ascot - Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

1m  30 runners

The Britannia Stakes over the straight mile and for three year olds only. Just the 30 runners to review and 8/1 the field so nice and easy as you can tell. Sir Mark Prescott runners should be feared in any handicap his runner today ROYAL PLEASURE has never been out of the first two, like most here will never have faced such a large field, but has the speed to stay out of trouble and should have a big say in the outcome if transferring all weather form to turf. MITHRAS could be better than a handicapper, Gosden / Dettori team up again a winner of a decent handicap at Newbury will prefer this ground instead of the soft last time while also add in AERION POWER for Sir Michael Stoute and the King Power Racing team a winner of his last three races albeit in small fields.
Lively Outsider - BIG NARSTIE, Hayley Turner rides and often pops up on big price runners, she'll be buoyed by the recent second placing of this one here on good to soft, so if the expected rain falls would be in with a chance at 33/1.
RESULT
1st - (8) Perotto @18/1 [Oisin Murphy].

5.35 Royal Ascot - King George V Stakes

1m 3f 211y  19 runners

Only the 19 runners for this one (3 reserves declared too, coincidentally all Mark Johnston runners). Plenty of big named trainers here and should be a good pace up front though it's 7/1 the field and another minefield for selections. Aiden O'Brien is responsible for three and possibly the market leader Sir Lamorak (R Moore), also Sir William Bruce (JA Heffernan) and San Martino (W Lordan). While Mark Johnston has two runners (plus 3 reserves) with Kondo Isami [B A Curtis] and Soapy Stevens ridden by Franny Norton.
Her Majesty is represented by JUST FINE [R Kingscote] Sir Michael Stoute's runner will need to shrug off a poor effort last time but is 25/1 as a result and there would be no-one more excited than his 95 year old owner.

RESULT
1st - (16) Surefire @5/1 [Hector Crouch].

6.10 Royal Ascot - The Buckingham Palace Stakes

7f  29 runners

The finale on Gold Cup day is a huge handicap with 29 runners declared, with the market showing 8/1 the field this will not be easy at all, we could well see some big prices in the top four places. Jamie Osborne's handicappers are respected here and he runs RAISING SAND a course and distance winner ridden by Saffie Osborne who takes off a valuable 5lb. Clive Cox is another trainer to keep onside and he runs DANCE FEVER (A Kirby) though has a lack of big field experience still looks to have some speed over this trip so if they can keep up with the leaders might be able to kick on at the finish. ALDAARY is another course / distance winner for trainer William Haggas winner of his first three events but a beaten favourite last time out, still one to keep on the shortlist. 

Lively Outsider - RIOT, John Gosden trained if he stands his ground for this he has a low weight to carry, Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rides 20/1+ looks interesting. 3rd 18/1

RESULT
1st - (30) Highfield Princess @18/1 [Jason Hart].

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.