Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips
THURSDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 2.30 – Norfolk Stakes
Charles Darwin (5/4 fav) looks a good thing to me.
He’s a full relation to Blackbeard and looks more straightforward. He’s been very impressive on his last two starts and five furlongs at Ascot won’t be a problem to him.
There’s likely more to come, and he also has the experience edge over several of his rivals, too.
Megan’s Tip: Charles Darwin WIN
Ascot 3.05 – King George V Stakes
It could be a good week for Wathnan Racing as I like their Sing Us A Song (13/2) here.
He won pretty decisively at Sandown on his seasonal reappearance and had some good form as a two-year-old as well.
Sing Us A Song has yet to run on ground as quick as this, and he is a son of Camelot, but he’s been fine on good ground so I’m not too worried.
The step up to 1m4f will really help him too.
The each-way one could be Daiquiri Bay (16/1). Alan King’s horses have been running well and providing his runner handles the ground, he’s got a decent chance on handicap debut.
He was narrowly beaten under a penalty last time but that was a bit of a muddling race and the winner could be quite smart, so I think he can run well at a nice price.
Megan’s Tip: Sing Us A Song WIN; Daiquiri Bay EW
Ascot 3.40 – Ribblesdale Stakes
I’m with Serenity Prayer (3/1 fav) in the Ribblesdale.
She was a fair way behind Whirl at York where she showed some immaturity before running on to pass horses late. That form has obviously worked out nicely with Whirl running so well in the Oaks at Epsom earlier this month.
Serenity Prayer will surely have learnt plenty from that same run and stepping up in trip here should suit her massively too.
Megan’s Tip: Serenity Prayer WIN
Ascot 4.20 – Gold Cup
It’s Candelari (3/1) for me in the Gold Cup.
I’m told he should be five from five as he was left too much to do in a Group Three at Longchamp in April and had to settle for a close third. He reversed the form at the same track in May, this time in Group One company, and I think he’s got a big chance here.
He’s a very strong and talented stayer, who looks like the one who could have more to come over this trip.
Megan’s Tip: Candelari WIN
Ascot 5.00 – Britannia Handicap
This is always one of the most competitive races of the whole meeting.
As always, you can make a solid case for several in here, but the one I’ve come down on is another Wathnan runner in the shape of Consolidation (9/1).
He steps up to a mile and I think the stiff mile at Ascot will really suit him. He won at Goodwood last time over seven furlongs where he looked to get a little outpaced, before running on pretty well.
He’s up five pounds for that but I still think a mark of 95 is workable and the form has been boosted subsequently too.
Megan’s Tip: Consolidation EW
Ascot 5.35 – Hampton Court Stakes
I really like Jackknife (11/2) in this.
He caught my eye at Sandown when I saw him last time, and his trainer Roger Varian has done well with this family in the past.
That run in the Heron Stakes at Sandown last time was very eye-catching, and the way he finished off the race suggests this step up in trip will be a big positive.
There should be lots more to come and I’m pretty confident this is a proper horse for the future.
Megan’s Tip: Jackknife WIN
Ascot 6.10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes
BetMGM are six places each-way on this race and you’re going to need them!
I’ll back Oliver Show (12/1), who goes very well fresh and has had a wind-operation since his very good second in the Lincoln.
The stiff seven furlongs won’t be a problem and while he’s off a career-high mark, he’s been thriving of late and I think he is a very solid each-way proposition.
Megan’s Tip: Oliver Show EW
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation