Royal Ascot tips: Day 3 Best Bets, Picks and Horses to Watch

Article By Matthew Crist

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Last Updated: Jun 22^nd, 2023

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Arguably the biggest and most important day of this five-day meeting, Thursday promises to be another superb afternoon of racing at Royal Ascot, the highlight of which being the illustrious Gold Cup, which gets underway at 4.20. 

We have all our Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips in one place, as our horse racing expert takes a look Wednesday's action at the 2023 Royal Ascot meeting and has a selection for each of the seven races taking place throughout what's sure to be a dramatic afternoon...

Royal Ascot 2023: Day 3 Picks

• 14:30 - DEVIOUS
• 15:05 – TAGABAWA
• 15:40 – WARM HEART 
• 16:20 – EMILY DICKINSON
• 17:00 – ONE NATION 
• 17:35 – TORITO
• 18:10 – WITCH HUNTER

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14:30 - DEVIOUS

A stunning five-length winner of the National Stakes at Sandown to make it two wins from two, Elite Status is entitled to be a warm order for the Norfolk Stakes, which kicks off day two, but Karl Burke's charge will face a lively adversary in the shape of American Rascal, who lines up for Wesley Ward. A son of former King's Stand winner Lady Aurelia, American Rascal is well bred to deliver here and the pair should serve up an enthralling clash. However, both are short in the betting and the one that catches the eye at bigger odds is Donnacha O'Brien's DEVIOUS, who was impressive when winning in softish going at Naas on his sole start and he's sure to improve significantly on his second start. The Starspangledbanner colt will need to build on that effort on quicker ground, but he quickened nicely that day and with double-figured odds available he has to be a leading each-way alternative to the aforementioned front two in the betting.

15:05 - TAGABAWA

Last year, Charlie Appleby and William Buick achieved victory in this race with Secret State, and they have the potential to dominate once again with TAGABAWA, the current favorite. TAGABAWA, a three-year-old offspring of New Approach, showcased remarkable performance by securing a four-length triumph at Kempton Park in his previous outing. However, it's worth noting that he has been assigned a weight increase of 12lbs, which will present a much more challenging test. Nevertheless, TAGABAWA has the potential to develop into a Group-level competitor. Aidan O'Brien's Bertinelli displayed resilience as the winner of the London Gold Cup at Newbury in his last race, but he has received a weight increase of 5lbs and carries the burden of top weight. Other notable contenders in this highly competitive race include Burglar, a recent victor at Redcar, and Perfuse, aiming for a hat-trick. The depth of competition in this race makes it one of the toughest betting challenges on day three of the event.

15:40 - WARM HEART

After an impressive performance at Goodwood in her last outing, Al Asifah, trained by John & Thady Gosden, has been added to the lineup for this event and is considered the strong favorite for the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes. As the daughter of Frankel, she possesses great potential and appears to be a rising star in the making. With a remarkable burst of speed demonstrated in her previous race, Al Asifah aims to secure her third consecutive victory and appears to be a reliable choice in a relatively weak field. However, despite being heavily favored, it may be worth considering an each-way alternative. In their most recent encounter at Newbury, Aidan O'Brien's filly, Warm Heart, managed to outperform Ralph Beckett's Bluestocking. Nevertheless, bookmakers anticipate a reversal of fortunes in this race, offering single-digit odds on Bluestocking. Nonetheless, the Ballydoyle filly is currently in excellent form and there is no reason to believe that she cannot replicate her performance from Newbury. With enticing double-digit odds, she represents a valuable wager.

16:20 – EMILY DICKINSON

Eldar Eldarov, trained by Roger Varian, showcased his talent by emerging victorious in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last year, and he continued his success by triumphing in the St Leger at Doncaster. As a result, he stands out as a strong contender for this prize. Another notable contender is Coltrane, a previous winner at Royal Ascot who claimed the Ascot Stakes twelve months ago. Both horses arrive at the event in excellent form, making them rightful frontrunners in the betting. Nonetheless, Aidan O'Brien is a seasoned expert in winning the Gold Cup, having previously trained the multiple champion Yeats as well as last year's victor, Kyprios. His leading contender this time is Emily Dickinson, who is making a comeback after her triumph in the Vintage Crop Stakes earlier this season. Although she fell short in her most recent outing at Leopardstown as the heavily favored runner, there is no question about her exceptional abilities. This stamina-demanding race may play to her strengths, especially considering her previous victory in a Group 2 race over two miles. Emily Dickinson possesses the class to dominate the field and secure a historic ninth win in the race for Ballydoyle.

17:00 – ONE NATION

In the highly competitive Britannia Stakes scheduled for Thursday at 17:00, Docklands, trained by Harry Eustace, enters the race aiming to secure a remarkable hat-trick after two consecutive victories. As a result, Docklands stands as a prominent contender in the betting market. Quantum Impact, on the other hand, has been catching attention with impressive performances lately and possesses untapped potential over a mile. The horse will strive to provide Frankie Dettori with a memorable farewell victory at Royal Ascot. At a larger price, Charlie Appleby's runner, One Nation, could be a worthwhile gamble. Recently, One Nation has been competing in Meydan, where the horse achieved two second-place finishes. Having previously triumphed on British turf, this Godolphin contender will need to carry a significant weight burden compared to some of its rivals. However, following a break, One Nation has the potential to exceed expectations and potentially outperform its current odds of around +2100. Therefore, it is a tentative yet intriguing choice for an each-way bet in this challenging contest.nd out the list of suggestions.

17:35 - TORITO

John & Thady Gosden are set to field a formidable team in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at 17:35, with Epictetus and Torito emerging as strong contenders for owner George Strawbridge. As of now, Epictetus holds the position as the clear favorite. After triumphing in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, the colt by Kingman secured fifth place finishes in both the Dante Stakes and French Derby. Although this race presents a much easier challenge compared to those two events, it is Torito who appears to hold the greatest appeal and stands as the favored choice. In the most recent outing, Torito showcased immense power and dominance by securing a commanding victory in a handicap race at Epsom on Derby day. The colt displayed potential as a high-caliber Group-level horse, demonstrating a strong acceleration to win by a margin of over two lengths. Like Epictetus, Torito is also a son of Kingman and exuded a calm and composed demeanor throughout the Epsom contest before unleashing a commanding burst of speed. This element of class could prove vital in securing victory in a race where Aidan O'Brien's Drumroll will attempt to disrupt the Gosden party.

18:10 –  WITCH HUNTER

The day concludes with a notably challenging edition of the Buckingham Palace Stakes, where bettors will face a formidable task in identifying the winner of this 7-furlong handicap. However, considering the numerous each-way positions available, it may be worthwhile to take a chance on a long-shot contender to secure a place in what is undeniably one of the most perplexing betting puzzles of the event. One entrant that holds a slight allure at approximately +4000 odds is Witch Hunter, trained by Richard Hannon. Although positioned toward the top of the weights, this horse has shown promise throughout the season and possesses the ability to make up ground and pass tiring rivals in the final stages of the race. While Witch Hunter occasionally experiences difficulties in breaking from the starting gate, the presence of jockey Jamie Spencer should mitigate this concern. Furthermore, Witch Hunter demonstrated his ability to surge forward in the closing moments when finishing closely behind Revich at Chester in his two previous starts. With Spencer's patient guidance, Witch Hunter may seize a place finish just before the finish line.

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Claiming Royal Ascot free bets is simple and easy to do, especially as we have five days worth of action to enjoy across the whole meeting.

The first step is to choose which offer you would like to take advantage of, from those we have listed above.

After this, click on the offer which should take you to the bookmaker’s landing page for that deal, and sign up to a new account.

Check out the terms and conditions to make sure you adhere to those, and when you have completed the sign up process, it’s time to place your bets.

After these have been settled, you should receive the free bets from your bookmaker, giving you those to spend on the rest of the royal meeting.

When is Royal Ascot?

Royal Ascot begins on Tuesday, June 20 and will run through to Saturday, June 24. 

Where is Royal Ascot?

The meeting is held at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, just 20 minutes outside of London.

How do I watch Royal Ascot in the US?

NBC traditionally provides coverage each day from Tuesday to Saturday, through its livestreaming service Peacock.

What are the biggest races at Royal Ascot 2023?

For bettors who like playing on elite-level racing it doesn’t get much better than the royal meeting, which features eight Group 1 races across its five days. They are:

The Queen Anne Stakes – Horses aged four and over clash on Ascot’s straight mile

The King’s Stand Stakes – Elite sprinters battle over the minimum trip of 5f

The St James’s Palace Stakes – The next big 1m test for three-year-old colts after the 2,000 Guineas

The Prince of Wales’s Stakes – A 1m 2f contest for middle-distance stars aged four and over

The Ascot Gold Cup – This 2m 4f contest for the very best stayers is the meeting’s signature race

The Commonwealth Cup – Three-year-old speedsters clash over 6f

The Coronation Stakes – The leading three-year-old fillies fight it out over a round mile

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – An all-age speed test for the top 6f sprinters. Renamed from Platinum Jubilee Stakes in 2022.

There are so many huge races taking place every day during the five days of Royal Ascot meeting, but we've taken a look at what we consider to be the race to watch on each day, as well as our expert pick, too!

Tuesday June 20

Race to watch: In the upcoming King's Stand Stakes, the spotlight is on two formidable contenders: Highfield Princess, the seasoned Yorkshire-bred runner who has consistently improved with time, and Coolangatta, the exceptional filly hailing from Australia. Highfield Princess has displayed remarkable progression as she has matured. With each passing race, her speed and performance have reached new heights, making her a force to be reckoned with in this competition. Coolangatta arrives on the scene as a highly touted filly from Australia. With a reputation for excellence, she has garnered significant attention and anticipation. Her exceptional skills and pedigree mark her as a top contender in this prestigious race.    

Tip of the day: Zoulu Chief in the Coventry Stakes (3.05pm). A 150-1 winner of his last start, the result has been dismissed all round. Never came out of his comfort zone winning by five lengths that day and sure to start a big price again. 

Wednesday June 21

Race to watch: The highly anticipated event to watch out for is the Prince of Wales's Stakes, where the 2021 Derby champion aims to secure his first Group One victory over a distance of one mile and a quarter, solidifying his reputation as a potential stallion. He will face tough competition from Bay Bridge, who emerged victorious over him in the Champion Stakes. However, with the ground conditions favoring a faster track, the tables could turn this time around.

Pick of the day: Intellogent in the Royal Hunt Cup (5pm) likes fast ground and Ascot. He was runner-up in this race 12 months ago only beaten half a length. This year he comes in 1lb lower in the ratings - which should give him half a length to spare! 

Thursday June 22

Race to watch: The Norfolk Stakes is a race that demands your full attention, as it flashes by in the blink of an eye. While it's been a while since we witnessed American two-year-olds displaying their blistering speed on this track, Wesley Ward's American Rascal appears to be a standout contender. In his sole start at Keeneland, he triumphed convincingly over four and a half furlongs, leaving his rivals trailing behind by a remarkable margin of 10 and a half lengths. It's worth noting that American Rascal is the offspring of Lady Aurelia, a formidable mare who claimed victory in both the Queen Mary and King's Stand Stakes under Ward's guidance. 

Pick of the day: Two years ago Subjectivist was as good a Gold Cup winner as there had been for a long time. An injury looked like putting paid to his career but he’s been brought back. He’s been a bit rusty but two runs should have put him right and in an open Gold Cup (4.20pm) he looks a steal at 8-1.

Friday June 23

Race to watch: The King Edward VII Stakes, often regarded as the Derby consolation race, presents an opportunity for the King and Queen to secure a victory at the esteemed Royal meeting this week. Circle of Fire emerges as their most promising contender in this event. Despite a subpar performance on the all-weather surface in the previous race, Circle of Fire is expected to thrive on turf, making a significant improvement in his performance. 

Pick of the day: Shaquille in the Commonwealth Cup (4.20). Little Big Bear will be a short priced favorite but he came up the golden highway when impressive at Haydock and it might be worth opposing such a short-priced runner.

Saturday June 24

Race to watch: The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes marks a significant moment in the career of Richard Gibson, a prominent trainer originally hailing from Northumberland. Gibson has been regarded as one of the finest exports from our shores, having achieved great success in both France and Hong Kong. As he approaches his final season in the Far East, all eyes are on Wellington, one of the sprinting stars in Hong Kong, to see if he can provide Gibson with a victorious send-off at Royal Ascot. It will undoubtedly be an intriguing spectacle as we witness if Wellington can secure a memorable win and bid farewell to Gibson's tenure in Hong Kong with a resounding triumph.

Pick of the day: Chipstead in the Wokingham Handicap. An improving sprinter whose brother was Oxted who won the July Cup and King’s Stand Stakes, an impressive winner at York last time. 

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As we approach Day 3 of the Royal Ascot, sports enthusiasts in Kentucky have something extra to look forward to. Starting this September, sports betting will be launching in the state. This means you'll be able to place your bets on your favorite horse races. Don't forget to check out the best Kentucky sportsbook promos to enhance your betting experience.

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Matthew Crist

Last Updated:   Jun 22^nd, 2023

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