Royal Ascot Day Three NAP and Best Bet Tips

A talented two-year-old who produced impressive performances at Navan and Naas and heads into today’s affair holding leading claims. A handy high draw in stall 15, and given he likes to race prominently, he holds bold claims to make all once again. Cruising to a 5 1⁄2 length victory in April before following up with another wide-margin victory at Naas, Charles Darwin sets the standard in the Norfolk and will take some beating.

A talented two-year-old who produced impressive performances at Navan and Naas and heads into today’s affair holding leading claims. A handy high draw in stall 15, and given he likes to race prominently, he holds bold claims to make all once again. Cruising to a 5 1⁄2 length victory in April before following up with another wide-margin victory at Naas, Charles Darwin sets the standard in the Norfolk and will take some beating.

Winning in France on debut earlier this month, Afjan showed a seriously impressive turn of foot in what wasn’t a straightforward affair on debut. After being dropped back to the rear of the field looking for racing room and switched out wide, he responded powerfully when asked for an effort and went clear to win by 1 1⁄4 lengths, with third place finishing around eight lengths off the pace. Plenty of room for improvement and he can’t be overlooked on his first start on UK soil today.

An improving three-year-old who made his return at Leopardstown in March when producing a career best, and given he has improved with every appearance, there is still plenty of scope for Serious Contender. Recording results of 4,2,1,1, he stayed on well to score over 1m2f last time out, and today’s 1m4f trip should bring out further improvement. Positive signs with Ryan Moore opting to take the ride today with two other options in the race and a bold bid looks on the cards.

Masai Moon made a winning debut at Kempton back in October last year before taking a six-month break and returning at Newmarket in Listed company. Proving a tough ask when finishing seventh of eight, Masai Moon bounced back when beating Boatswain in May with a gutsy performance when getting back up on the line. Bumped and short of room, Masai Moon showed great character and could be a big threat at an appealing price.

Hardly putting a foot wrong in her two racecourse appearances, Serenity Prayer is looking like a promising filly for Andrew Balding, and she should be a top player over 1m4f here today. Winning on her racecourse debut at Newbury in April, followed by a second-place finish in the Musidora Group 3 at York, she handles quick ground well and looks the one to beat given the uncertainty around Catalina Delcarpio on quick ground.

The number one prospect for Aidan O’Brien in the Ribblesdale as he looks to land this race for the third year in a row, and given Garden Of Eden produced a career-best last time out, this race couldn’t come at a better time. Winning in Listed company at Naas in May and beating two of today’s rivals comfortably (Island Hopping and Hollys Graces), improvement looks likely for this three-year-old, and she holds bold claims at her price.

Looking to land his first Group 1 here today, Illinois has gone close on his two starts in Group 1 company when finishing second in both appearances but going closer than ever in the St Leger when beaten by Jan Brueghel by a neck, he has since gone on to win in back-to-back Group 2 and 3 affairs. A previous winner at Royal Ascot when winning the Queen’s Vase last year and looking a solid super sub for the retired Kyprios, he holds leading claims for the Gold Cup.

An interesting five-year-old who has seen market support at big prices and although taking a dramatic step up in class, his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Priced as high as 40/1 on Tuesday, Wonder Legend has been impressing in handicaps, winning three of his last four starts and making easy work of his victories; he could well step up for the big occasion today, and even a place at his price is a nice return.

Improving rapidly this season, Teroomm is currently unbeaten in his three starts, and after the perfect preparation for today’s affair last time out at Haydock, he needs to be respected today. Staying on well over today’s 1m trip, Teroomm didn’t find a lot of racing room but coming good in the latter stages, his rate of improvement puts him firmly into calculations for the Britannia.

A three-year-old colt out of Frankel who made his return in May after an eight-month absence, and with this race under his belt, he’s likely to improve in today’s affair. Rounding up his 2024 campaign with a win at Kempton, he returned here at Ascot in May, where he ran a very respectable second to Power Fizz on his return. Likely to follow on from this performance and with good to firm the perfect ground for him, he holds solid each way claims today.

A Dubawi colt who made a winning debut at Newmarket in April and showed promise with a solid run in Listed company last time out. Finishing second at Chester last time out, High Stock was only beaten by a neck by Mount Kilimanjaro after missing the break, and he looks a likely sort to learn from this performance. Still relatively unexposed after only two appearances, further improvement is expected from the three-year-old and he can’t be overlooked in today’s affair.

Finishing sixth of 14 on racecourse debut at Kempton in April, this was a tough race that has subsequently produced multiple winners but kicking on from this opening run, Arabian Force has won his next two starts. Getting the better of Hymnbook at Wetherby, who has since gone on to win next time out and following that up with a dominant five-length victory over Gladius, who also franked the form with a win, he doesn’t appear to be out of his depth in today’s Group 3 and holds bold claims at an appealing price.

Winning three times last year from six appearances, Oliver Show is progressing well for George Boughey, and his revised mark looks workable for the five-year-old. Keeping fitness levels up in Bahrain before returning to UK soil in March, Oliver Show went heartbreakingly close to landing the Lincoln at Doncaster when beaten on the line by Godwinson, and another bold performance is expected here today. Undergoing wind surgery since and dropping back to 7f, where he has won two of his last three outings, he holds solid claims at his price.

A consistent performer who has finished inside the top three in all seven of his career starts, and after a promising run on his UK debut for George Scott, further improvement looks likely. Producing a solid effort at Haydock in May, No Retreat finished a close third behind the impressive Great Chieftain over 1m, and stepping back to 7f here today, which produced his sole victory in Dubai, he holds bold claims with a tongue-tie and cheekpieces in action for the first time.