Royal Ascot 2026 Tips: Race-by-Race Preview for Day 3

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Thu 18 Jun 2026 03:43

Jon Vine 1 hour ago

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Legacy Link, Sea Venture, Arc Ole Ole, and Laureate Crown are standout betting tips
Ascot Gold Cup, pattern races, and competitive handicaps highlight the schedule
Expert analysis spots value and form horses for punters aiming for an edge

The Ascot Gold Cup headlines a quality Day 3 program at Royal Ascot. (Getty)

Royal Ascot 2026 reaches its middle day on Thursday, and punters have got another competitive card to sink their teeth into.

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 3 Preview
Race 1 - Chesham Stakes Tips
Race 2 - King George V Stakes Tips
Race 3 - Ribblesdale Stakes Tips
Race 4 - Ascot Gold Cup Tips
Race 5 - Britannia Stakes Tips
Race 6 - Hampton Court Stakes Tips
Race 7 - Buckingham Palace Stakes Tips
Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips Recap

The Ascot Gold Cup headlines the schedule, which also features a couple of pattern races and some interesting handicaps.

Below is our race-by-race look at day two of Royal Ascot 2026, while Live Racing & Sports Updates features the latest previews, analysis and coverage across all major sporting codes.

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 3 Preview

Race 1 - Chesham Stakes Tips

The Chesham Stakes has been moved from day five to the opening slot on day three. Aidan O'Brien boasts an exceptional record in this contest, and Aix La Chapelle looks a worthy favourite based on his debut success at the Curragh.

Fillies often outperform market expectations in the Chesham, with the fairer sex winning three of the last nine renewals. 15. Sea Venture impressed on debut at Haydock and looks capable of improving again over this longer trip.

George Scott's filly was forced to wait for a gap along the rail as the leaders set strong early fractions. Danny Tudhope eventually angled her into the clear and Sea Venture quickly put the race to bed, coasting home once she established a decisive advantage.

The daughter of Sea The Stars is a full sister to two mile winners, and Scott has expressed no concerns about quicker ground. Tudhope is a jockey worth following throughout the Royal meeting, and Sea Venture looks one of his better opportunities of the week.

Race 2 - King George V Stakes Tips

This is another typically competitive renewal of a high-quality handicap. Godolphin, Wathnan and Qatar Racing all have strong claims, but 16. Arc Ole Ole appeals as a runner capable of continuing his rise through the ranks.

Dylan Cunha's colt finished fifth on debut at Newmarket before opening his account in comfortable fashion at Bath a week later. He then landed handicaps at Doncaster and York, continuing his progression with each start.

Arc Ole Ole raced keenly for much of the contest at York but still powered clear late to score by three widening lengths. That performance suggested there is plenty more to come.

Rowan Scott should have few concerns about stall 20, with recent renewals favouring those drawn high. Having already proven his stamina over this trip, Arc Ole Ole looks well placed to take another step forward.

Race 3 - Ribblesdale Stakes Tips

Despite a potentially awkward draw in stall one, 9. Legacy Link stands out as the clear class runner in this year's Ribblesdale Stakes.

John and Thady Gosden's filly did well to win the Musidora on her return, especially given reports she would improve significantly for the outing. She then produced an excellent effort in the Oaks, travelling strongly before Thundering On swept home late to deny her.

The Gosdens and Aidan O'Brien have dominated this race in recent years, and Ballydoyle's sole representative this year is the out-of-form Composing.

Unless her Oaks effort has left a mark, Legacy Link looks the one they all have to beat and should take plenty of stopping.

Race 4 - Ascot Gold Cup Tips

Trawlerman's participation adds an important dimension to the Gold Cup, as he is one of the few guaranteed front-runners in the field. He dominated from the front 12 months ago but returns from a lengthy absence and faces stronger opposition this time around.

The exciting four-year-olds Rahiebb and Scandinavia bring fresh depth to the staying division, but 7. Carmers appeals as the value play.

Paddy Twomey's star was an impressive winner of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last year, defeating both Further and Rahiebb. He then ran with credit behind Pride Of Arras in the Great Voltigeur before finding conditions less suitable in the St Leger.

Carmers looked in need of the run when returning behind Scandinavia in the Vintage Crop Stakes, but improved sharply to win the His Majesty's Plate at Down Royal, comfortably conceding weight to some useful older rivals.

Fast ground clearly suits this imposing colt, as he showed at Royal Ascot last season. His latest run suggested two miles will hold no fears, and there could still be significant improvement to come from this lightly raced four-year-old.

Race 5 - Britannia Stakes Tips

Jamie Spencer has not won the Britannia Stakes since riding back-to-back winners eight years ago, but he looks to have a strong chance of ending that drought aboard 7. Laureate Crown.

Hugo Palmer's colt won his maiden on fast ground at Ascot and returns seeking a handicap hat-trick. After scoring at Wolverhampton in March, he followed up with a strong finishing effort in a valuable Sandown handicap.

A poor draw rather than ground concerns appeared the main reason for missing the Silver Bowl Handicap at Carlisle. Organise, whom Laureate Crown defeated at Sandown, heads the market here and the handicapper's five-pound rise looks fair.

Another worth considering is 22. Capall Rasa, who entered the Esher Cup on the back of two all-weather wins. Forced to make the running, he stuck on well to finish fourth behind several talented rivals.

The step up in trip didn't quite work in the London Gold Cup at Newbury, where he struggled for racing room before finishing one-paced. A return to a mile looks ideal, and Richard Kingscote's reunion with Tom Dascombe's charge adds further appeal.

Race 6 - Hampton Court Stakes Tips

Ryan Moore won this race from the front aboard Trinity College last year and may attempt similar tactics aboard Endorsement, who sets the standard on this season's form. Generic and My Love Is King also bring strong credentials.

At a much bigger price, 5. Glacius looks worth chancing.

Hugo Palmer had initially hoped to run this son of Too Darn Hot in a Derby Trial, but circumstances have delayed his return until Royal Ascot. His juvenile form suggests he possesses plenty of ability.

Glacius made a winning debut on Newmarket's July Course before competing with credit in the Ascendant Stakes and Autumn Stakes against smart opposition.

His pedigree points towards improvement over this ten-furlong trip, and the decision to send him straight into a Royal Ascot Group race after an absence suggests connections think highly of him. He could easily outrun market expectations.

Race 7 - Buckingham Palace Stakes Tips

Five of the six winners of the Buckingham Palace Stakes have emerged from stall 24 or higher, and the high numbers once again look advantageous.

The first to consider is 6. Elarak, who signed off his three-year-old campaign with an emphatic handicap victory at Newmarket. Charlie Hills' gelding has run well in defeat on both starts this season, including a solid effort when attempting to race alone on the inside rail in the Nifty 50 Handicap.

A lack of obvious pace should allow Billy Loughnane's mount to secure a prominent position from stall 31. Still lightly raced in handicaps, Elarak may yet develop into a stakes-class performer.

The other at a price is 8. Vafortino, who returns for a third crack at this race. Charlie Fellowes' veteran has finished midfield in previous editions and also ran respectably in last year's Wokingham.

Although he has spent recent seasons switching between distances and race types, large-field handicaps over seven furlongs remain his ideal scenario. With Christophe Soumillon taking the ride, Vafortino has the class and experience to make his presence felt.

Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips Recap

Race	Tip 1	Tip 2
1	Sea Venture
2	Arc Ole Ole
3	Legacy Link
4	Carmers
5	Laureate Crown	Capall Rasa
6	Glacius
7	Elarak	Vafortino

Verdict

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 3 Preview

Our best & value bets for Royal Ascot day three are:

Legacy Link

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Sea Venture

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Arc Ole Ole

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Laureate Crown

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