Royal Ascot Day 3 Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Jun 19)

The feature race of the week at Royal Ascot is set for Thursday, June 19, as the Gold Cup will headline the card. Aside from the feature, there are three further group races, including the G2 Norfolk Stakes, which kicks off the day at 9:30 AM ET. You can find our Royal Ascot Day 3 picks here.

Royal Ascot: Event Information

Royal Ascot Day 3 Picks

Ascot Gold Cup (R4- 11:20 AM ET)

The historic Ascot Gold Cup has been contested since 1807, and it is the standout race on the calendar for stayers. The race covers a total distance of two miles and three furlongs, and a thrilling renewal is expected for Ladies’ Days in 2025.

Some of the shine has been taken off the race this year following the news that superstar stayer Kyprios has been retired. However, Aidan O’Brien will still have a strong hand as he bids to extend his record of nine wins in the race.

Ascot Gold Cup Contenders

Illinois will likely be a hot favorite for the 2025 edition of the Gold Cup this year. The O’Brien runner was second in the St Leger last September, before easily winning in Group Two company in France. Returned to the track with a visually impressive display at Chester to get the better of Al Qareem in the G3 Ormonde Stakes. But, stamina concerns may ensure value lies elsewhere.

Candelari is the runner from France in this year’s Gold Cup, and he will be considered as the value play for many. The four-year-old is proven over a mile and seven, winning on good to soft ground at Longchamp at the end of May. Has tons of stamina, but he may like slightly more rainfall than is forecast.

Trawlerman is the proven stayer in this field for John & Thady Gosden. The seven-year-old was beaten just a length by Kyprios in last year’s Gold Cup, and he resumed his progress with a dominant five-length win over Coltrane in the G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown in May.

Wonder Again could be an interesting runner at a bigger price. The five-year-old for James Ferguson has no issue with the distance, having already won over two miles and excelling over a mile and six. Is yet to prove himself at the highest level, but is unlikely to go down without a fight.

Ascot Gold Cup Pick

Questions hanging over a number of the market leaders, meaning that there could be value in siding with Sweet William for John & Thady Gosden.

The lightly-raced six-year-old has won five from 14 career starts, and was beaten just two lengths by Kyprios over a mile and seven in the G2 Champion Long Distance Cup at the end of last season.

Likely needed the run last time out when a close third behind Rebel’s Romance, but is a chief danger to many market leaders if bringing his A-Game to a track where he has plenty of experience.

Other Royal Ascot Day 3 Picks