Royal Ascot 2021: Day 3 Preview & Betting Tips

The 2021 Royal Ascot carnival is upon us!

The highlight of the flat racing season in the UK, the Royal Ascot carnival spans five days (Tuesday-Saturday) and consists of 35 races, with over £6million in prize money on offer, making it Britain’s most valuable racing carnival.

We’re set to see the best flat horses from Britain and Ireland, with eight Group 1 races contested over the carnival.

Day 3 features the G1 Gold Cup, where superstar stayer Stradivarius will be aiming to win the race for the fourth time.

Once again we’ve partnered with the team at Tips4Punters (@tips4punters) to bring you local insights and betting tips for every day of the carnival.

Royal Ascot 2021 – Day 3 Betting Tips

Race 1 – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

The Norfolk Stakes starts Day 3 at Royal Ascot with the Group 1 Gold Cup coming up later on the card. Wesley Ward no stranger to Royal Ascot fields 2 runners in the opener. Lucci and Nakatomi, of the 2 I want to concentrate on Lucci who I think will be the stronger of the Ward runners. Lucci won on debut at Belmont Park in a 4-runner race on the turf. Ward in a piece for At The Races (UK) commented about Lucci – “Just the way his body is, he looks like a big old sprinter”.

Aidan O’Brien looks to have a good chance with Cadamosto who won comfortably on debut on the AW (all-weather) at Dundalk. Looks speedy.

The Clive Cox trained INSTINCTIVE MOVE is another interesting runner. Winning on debut at Bath and would be surprised if he did not improve.

Go Bears Go is another that looks set to improve after winning on debut at Ascot for trainer David Loughnane who had a 1-2 in the Kensington Palace Stakes on Wednesday.

Another to note is the William Haggas trained Second Wind, “Aussie Tom” Marquand rides. Second Wind is 2/2, winning at Yarmouth and under a penalty at Salisbury recently and would be the each way pick.

Tip: (4) Instinctive Move $9.00 Bet365  SCR

Value: (14) Second Wind $13 BlueBet

Raec 2 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Mohaafeth looks like a monster horse in the making. 3/3 this year taking a Listed Newmarket race on his last appearance. What concerns me is the forecast rain for Ascot, thunderstorms are expected and if this was to get into the ground it would be a worry.

I am going to take him on today with MOVIN TIME trained by Roger Varian. Last seen giving a 4-length beating to Kemari (Kemari won the Queen’s Vase on Wednesday) at Newmarket. Stepping up in Grade and let’s see what happens.

One Ruler is another with a chance dropping back in Grade. Came 6th in both the Group 1 2000 Guineas and Derby. Drops back in trip also.

Tip: (4) Movin’ Time $4.33 Bet365

Race 3 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2)

Noon Star will be all the range in this but I am taking her on with ESHAADA who won on debut at Nottingham last year and since then was last seen winning a Listed contest at Newbury (beating Gloria Mundi by a neck – who runs in this). Has won on soft and good to soft.

The Mark Johnston trained Dubai Fountain was a disappointing 12th in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom but prior to that won the Listed Cheshire Oaks last month. Buick up.

Twisted Reality also gets a mention as she was last seen running 4th to Eshaada in the Listed race mentioned above. Steps up in trip.

Tip: (6) Eshaada $7.50 Ladbrokes

Race 4 – Gold Cup (Group 1)

The feature of the day is the Group 1 Gold Cup. Stradivarius is looking to land it for the fourth time, winning it in 2018, 2019 and 2020. He won the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot a few weeks ago.

I am going to take on the UK staying King with Alan King’s TRUESHAN. Hollie Doyle has already had a winner this week. He’s beat Strad before in the Group 2 Long Distance Cup at Ascot but the ground that day (soft) which did not suit Stradivarius who finished well out the back. That’s my concern with Stradivarius today. Trueshan was last seen running 2nd to the Aidan O’Brien trained Japan at Chester in a Group 3 last month. No issues with the ground.

Dubai Gold Cup winner Subjectivist gets a mention. The Mark Johnston trained runner hammered his rivals in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March. Longer trip today looks a plus.

Throw into the mix 2020 Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment for Joseph O’Brien, another going up in trip. First time.

Tip: (5) Trueshan $5.50 TAB SCR

Race 5 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Biggest field of the day with 30 runners. A couple I fancy each way in this but for a win I am leaning towards LIFFEY RIVER for Joseph O’Brien. Bonus if the forecast rain gets into the ground. Returns to the mile after running over 7f last start.

The two I like each way are Williams Haggas’ Dubai Honour, who has been gelded and gets the tongue-tie. The other is Joseph O’Brien’s other runner Grid with Seamie Heffernan onboard. Won at Cork in a Maiden race last month.

Tip: (15) Liffey River $17 Sportsbet

Value: (23) Dubai Honour $23 Sportsbet & (21) Grid $23 Sportsbet

Race 6 – King George V Stakes (Handicap)

FIRST LIGHT for John and Thady Gosden has placed on the AW (all-weather) and since won a Ripon Maiden race on soft ground. Won by 12 lengths that day. Should stay the trip.

SURREY GOLD gets a hefty 12lb rise after winning a Newbury handicap by 7 lengths (good to soft). Has had spins over the AW (all-weather). Even with the rise he is the pick.

For the each way play I like Lord Protector for Ralph Beckett. 3/3 so far.

Tip: (11) First Light $8.50 Bet365

Value: (3) Lord Protector $26 TopSport

Race 7 – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Another big field in the last of the day. 29 runners go. Aldaary for William Haggas gets a big mention. Unbeaten until coming 3rd at Goodwood in May.

Danyah was 4th in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March and last seen placing in a Newbury Handicap. Should go well.

At a bigger price I fancy BIELSA with Silvestre De Sousa onboard to run well. First run over 7f has mainly run over 6f. His 2019 form was brilliant and could get back to winning ways here or at least go close. Go brave for the win or each way play it safe.

Tip: (11) Bielsa E/W $23 Betfair