Royal Ascot 2025 Day Three Tips

14:30 – Norfolk Stakes (G2)

It is fair to say it doesn’t take rocket science to see why Charles Darwin is favourite here and although he does have the best form in the race, I wouldn’t be in a rush to take 4/6.

I think that NAVAL LIGHT could give him something to think about though – he is certain to improve from his debut in the Beverley 2yo Trophy – where he was a big drifter and given a lot to do – all in the name of teaching him something.

Karl Burke won this last year with Shareholder for Wathnan so they know what it takes to win this and I think he is a fair each way bet at 5/1.

This race has thrown up some massjve price winners in recent times mind so I wouldn’t put you off anything!

NAVAL LIGHT 5/1 1PT EW

15:05 – King George V Stakes (Handicap)

GUNSHIP has been on my mind for a Royal Ascot handicap for a while and he looks ahead of his mark of 89 and the step up in trip should see further progress.

He actually beat the warm favourite, Merchant on debut and he is 5/2 for this while Gunship is 13/2.

I thought he was an easy winner at Newcastle last time after being given a bit of a poor ride at Sandown prior to that. The winner that day, Sing Us A Song has to be a threat but again looks a bit short.

GUNSHIP 13/2 1PT EW

15:40 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ G2)

I thought this was a very hard race to call with most of the fillies’ arriving in here having to improve to win a regular renewal of this. The market probably has it right with Serenity Prayer as favourite after her run behind Whirl – she was well beaten mind.

Paddy Twomey doesn’t waste many bullets either so it would be no surprise if he bagged another winner with Catalina Delcarpio after a good 2nd last time at Navan.

Overall, a no bet race.

16:20 – Gold Cup (G1)

Aidan O’Brien will be hoping that Illinois is a natural heir to Kyprios in this division and he certainly looks like he will stay, but he will have to fend off TRAWLERMAN who has given Kyprios some real troubles in recent years.

I think he will some cause some real problems again and is the right favourite at 2/1 to claim his first Gold Cup. He looked as good as ever on return and will be bang up there throughout so shouldn’t experience trouble in running.

Candelari is well backed into 3/1 but has a bit to prove to me and many others have place claims including Sweet William and Coltrane.

TRAWLERMAN 2/1 1PT WIN

17:00 – Britannia Stakes (Handicap)

You’ll need a very well handicapped horse to be winning this race and there seems to be an awful lot of them. This race is also a tricky one as bookmakers donate to charity so you only get standard place terms (1-,4, ¼ the odds).

I thought BRAVE MISSION could be quite nicely treated off 92 – his run behind Power Fizz on comeback was good, giving away race fitness to that rival. Power Fizz then boosted the form at Goodwood when running a big race off a 5lb higher mark.

He should stay a mile and I am happy to play him at 7/1.

The other one for me is LA BOTTE, for Harry Eustace, who won this with Docklands in 2023. La Botte has only had three runs and he finished a very respectable 4th to Irish Guineas 2nd, Cosmic Year last time in a listed race. He had horses like Port Light and Symbol Of Honour in behind and they are rated in the 100s and La Botte gets in here off 99.

He is drawn high and you know Jamie Spencer will be waiting with him so hopefully he gets the gaps - but he is certainly interesting at 8/1.

BRAVE MISSION 7/1 1PT WIN

LA BOTTE 8/1 1PT WIN

17:35 – Hampton Court Stakes (G3)

I thought this was a strong race, especially for a Group 3 contest as there is proven Group 1 form within the race already.

Detain and Trinity College finished 3rd and 4th in the French Derby respectively and I would favour the latter if picking between the pair – but I think they might be better with a little bit of give in the ground.

I think TORNADO ALERT has the best form in here and he is available at an each way price. He looked a non-stayer in the Derby and he wouldn’t have loved the ground.

Prior to that, he ran a stormer in what looks a strong renewal of the 2000 Guineas – that was against some top class horses and it was also his first run on turf.

I think the 10f trip should be perfect and Suroor certainly loves a winner at Royal Ascot.

TORNADO ALERT 11/2 1PT EW

18:10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

ENGLISH OAK is looking for back-to-back wins in the Buckingham Palace and I think he has every chance off just a 1lb higher mark.

He couldn’t have been any more impressive last year and it looks like this has been the plan all season – there were definitely signs of life at Newbury last time too.

Cheekpieces go on for for the first time and fate has drawn him in stall 26 again!

I would be genuinely shocked if he doesn’t go close to winning this.

I also have to back NEVER SO BRAVE because how did he not win at Chester last time!

ENGLISH OAK 5/1 2PT EW

NEVER SO BRAVE 6/1 1PT EW