Two days of Royal Ascot 2025 have come and gone, but there is no time to rest on our wins or losses as we tackle day three of Royal Ascot 2025.
There are four Group races to preview today, with the Ascot Gold Cup being the highlight on day three.
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Group 2 Norfolk Stakes - 5f
A competitive Group 2, with significant improvement expected from a number in this field. Naval Light, who was second on debut to Old Is Gold (ran in the Windsor Castle yesterday), can take a big step forward now with the experience under his belt.
First Legion is another who is likely to take a big step forward, especially over this stiff 5f. However, Aidan O'Brien's Charles Darwin not only has a touch of class, but he has had three runs already this season. The experience he has already gained is a significant advantage in a race with so many inexperienced runners.
He may have only beaten three first-time runners last time out, but when he was asked for his effort inside the final furlong, the response was rapid, pulling well clear in the end. He's an exciting sprinter with more to come.
- Selection: Charles Darwin 11/8
- Danger: First Legion 12/1
Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes - 1m4f
This is a difficult race to get a handle on. Catalina Delcarpio is currently sitting at the top of the betting after two good runs, which resulted in a win and a second. Her second came in Group 3 company, with the winner Wemightakedlongway, going on to run a creditable race in the Oaks.
However, the Andrew Balding runner Serenity Prayer chased home the now Oaks runner-up Whirl in the Musidora, and she looks open to significant improvement. She showed her inexperience at York, but once she got the hang of things, she ran on well in the closing stages to take second place. This daughter of Dubawi has a lot more to offer and looks the one to side with here.
If you can forgive Go Go Boots for her run in the Oaks, she's a big price based on previous form behind Whirl and Serenity Prayer.
- Selection: Serenity Prayer 7/2
- Danger: Go Go Boots 20/1
Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup - 2m4f
Illinois has been called up as a super sub for Kyprios, and he has a profile that suits stepping up to the Gold Cup trip. Last season's St Leger runner-up (winner Jan Brueghel has franked that form by winning a Group 1 this season) made a winning start to the season when seeing off Al Qareem at Chester, which sets him up nicely for a tilt at the Gold Cup. French raider Candelari is a fascinating runner.
He only started his career in December but has already tasted Group 1 glory, impressively winning the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp. That win left the impression that the further he went, the better he would be. He's a massive danger to all, but it may be worth giving Trawlerman one more chance in the Gold Cup. He was runner-up in last season's renewal, but this time around, he doesn't have to deal with his old foe, Kyprios.
There is a distinct possibility that he will be left alone on the lead, and if that is the case, he can prove tough to pass up the home straight.
- Selection: Trawlerman 3/1
- Danger: Candelari 7/2
Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes - 1m2f
There is not much separating Trinity College and Detain from their meeting in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Both are fighting out for favouritism, but the one lurking at a bigger price and who looks open for significant improvement is Jackknife.
The son of Kameko made a winning debut at Epsom, beating a next-time-out winner, The King's Falcon. It was onto Listed level next for Jackknife, but it didn't go to plan from the start. He missed the break and was on the back foot straight away. He made good headway, and when he was about to get very competitive, he couldn't get a clear run. But once he got out, he picked up and ran on well to the line.
He would have taken a lot from that experience, and you can expect to see a more polished performance today.
- Selection: Jackknife 9/1
- Danger: Detain 10/3
