Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips
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Day 3 of Royal Ascot is famous worldwide for being the racing festival’s “Ladies Day.” Both men and women attend in huge numbers, of course, but this is the day female spectators put on their best frocks and biggest hats. Expect Instagram to go crazy! Also, check out the latest Royal Ascot 2019 betting odds at our sportsbook!
Thursday is also the day of Royal Ascot’s most famed race, the Ascot Gold Cup. The marathon Group 1 race is normally the racing highlight of the festival.
But the Gold Cup is just 1 race among 6 on Thursday. The card also features 2 Group 2 races (the Norfolk Stakes and the Ribblesdale Stakes) plus a Group 3 race and 2 handicaps. Between the 6 races there is £1.1 million in prize money available.
Day 3 is traditionally one of the more difficult days at Royal Ascot for picking winners, so be sure to read our Royal Ascot tips
Group: 2
Age: 2
Prize: £100,000
Distance: 5 furlongs
Our tip: Sunday Sovereign (currently 3/1)
This year’s favourite in the Norfolk Stakes is Sunday Sovereign. On its last time out, Sunday Sovereign won at Tipperary in a 5-furlong race, by an impressive 7 lengths. Most pundits are backing this P. Twomey-trained colt.
Group: 3
Age: 3
Prize: £90,000
Distance: 1 mile 2 furlongs
Our tip: Headman (currently 6/1)
A winner by a shoulder at Newbury in early June, Headman is the only horse in the top 4 favourites to have won its last time out. One of the lower-profile races of the day, this might be a good opportunity for an upset. Attractively priced at 6/1, this Roger Charlton-trained 3-year-old is good value.
Group: 2
Age: 3 (fillies)
Prize: £200,000
Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs
Our tip: Queen Power (currently 2/1)
Another favourite that we’re keeping an eye on is Queen Power, running in the Ribblesdale Stakes. She narrowly missed a top finish at Ascot in early May, giving the Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly invaluable Ascot-track experience. In her last time out, just over a month ago, she came in first in a 1 mile 2-furlong race at Newbury.
Group: 1
Age: 4+
Prize: £500,000
Distance: 2 miles 4 furlongs
Our tip: Dee Ex Bee (currently 11/2)
Stradivarius is the out and out favourite for this race, and the odds show it. Another to consider is Dee Ex Bee at 11/2, who had a very inconsistent early career, but is certainly on the form so far in 2019. With 2 wins in 2 outings (including a win at Ascot in early May), this Mark Johnston-trained horse is certainly running well. Is it enough to win in a race that historically favours favourites?
Group: Heritage Handicap
Age: 3 (colts & geldings)
Prize: £120,000
Distance: 1 mile
Our tip: Numerian (currently 25/1)
Perhaps the most difficult to predict race of the day, this handicap currently has no runner with less than 10/1 odds. With no clear favourite, Joseph Patrick O’Brien’s 3-year-old Numerian is worth considering. He won a race of the same distance this year at Dundalk, but that was in January and since then he’s come in second and third in races of the same distance at the same venue. How will he do on turf? We won’t know for sure until the day but we think he’s one to watch.
Group: Handicap
Age: 3
Prize: £90,000
Distance: 1 mile
Our Tip: Apparate (currently 16/1)
At just 5/1, this handicap does have a clear favourite in Constantinople. However, Apparate enjoyed a win at Newmarket last month and is trained by Roger Varian. We think Apparate is still improving as a horse, and the conditions at Ascot should favour him.
We’ve got all the odds on all the races at Royal Ascot and for more tips, check out our Royal Ascot Beginner’s Guide and Ascot Gold Cup preview!
Remember, please gamble responsibly, these tips are not guarantees of wins and only ever wager what you can afford. When the fun stops, stop.
