Royal Ascot Day 3 arrives with the Carnival in full swing, and Thursday’s card delivers one of the true highlights of the week.
The Gold Cup takes centre stage, a searching 4014m test that always separates the genuine stayers from the rest.
Trawlerman returns looking to defend his 2025 crown, while Scandinavia heads the market as he aims to deliver Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 10th Gold Cup.
With a deep field of proven stayers engaged, expect a race built on tempo, tactics, and staying power.
Let’s dive into the key races and find the best plays on the card.
AIX LA CHAPELLE (1) is an impeccably bred Justify colt out of dual Group 1 winning mare Immortal Verse.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained two-year-old started his career in fine style last start over this distance at Curragh where he let down strongly to salute by 1.5 lengths.
He’ll be better for the experience and will strip fitter second-up.
Ryan Moore will likely settle in a prominent position.
| 1. Aix La Chapelle (7)SCRATCHED: | |||
INTO THE LIGHT (12) was very good in his first race on grass last start in the Ozzy Osbourne Memorial Handicap at Sandown.
Following a win on debut and runner-up finish second-up, both on synthetic, the Charlie Appleby-trained colt hit the line hard to just miss running down Lost Boys by a head.
That’s great form for this given Lost Boys has won three consecutive races and looks a real talent.
Given the way Into The Light powered through the line last start, the rise in distance looks ideal.
| 12. Into The Light (11) 56kg122 |
LEGACY LINK (9) was no match for Thundering On in the Group 1 Epsom Oaks last start, but her performance places her as the main chance in this year’s Group 3 Ribblesdale Stakes.
The Juddmonte-owned filly gave her all but couldn’t go with Thundering On in the final furlong to finish 3.75 lengths second but she was a massive six lengths ahead of third.
Prior to that, she resumed with a comfortable win in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes.
She maps to enjoy an economical run and gets in extremely well under the set weight conditions of the race.
| 9. Legacy Link (1) 58kg14×12 |
RAHIEBB (9) looks a more furnished horse this preparation based on his impressive return in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup Stakes.
The Roger Varian-trained son of Frankel proved too strong at the end of 2787m to salute buy 2.25 lengths.
He gives the impression that he’ll be better over further and was taking ground off Scandinavia with every stride in the final 100m of the Group 1 St Leger Stakes when finishing a neck second to end last preparation.
He looks a horse still short of his ceiling this preparation and is clearly trending the right way through the staying ranks.
| 9. Rahiebb (10) 58.5kg342×1 |