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Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 3 preview

 A bit briefer today, too many events on this week to keep up!


14.30 CHESHAM STAKES

Aix La Chapelle - looked a nice type winning on debut only a fortnight ago, defeating an odds-on stablemate and a well-tried Amo Racing colt who had also finished behind Great Barrier Reef and Confucius. Regally bred, hard to beat.

Nola Soul - won nicely at Leopardstown a month ago, beating a couple of decent benchmarks from the Aidan & Joseph O'Brien stables. I liked the way he put his mind to the task when asked, only needed a couple of taps with the persuader and then the engine revved right up. That was on debut, he's also by Justify like the favourite, expect continued improvement.

On Just Terms - a debutant by Justify, that's a bold move coming straight here. But look into the ownership and you see that a bunch of Aussies are involved. And the name is a reference to the classic Aussie film, The Castle. Probably just here to have a runner and hope for the best, but he was bought at the breeze-ups so obviously showed something early.

Pikachu - please let's not have a Royal Ascot winner with a name like this. Beaten on debut in a Thirsk novice. Well bred but more required.

Revels - cruised to victory at Redcar on debut and there's been a subsequent winner behind him. Might be a decent price.

Romanza - interesting one from an Australian angle, by Frankel out of Con Te Partiro, an American mare who not only won at Royal Ascot (Sandringham, 2017), but also won G1s including the Coolmore Classic for Gai Waterhouse in Australia. I don't know the owner, P Hickman, but considering he had another horse with Charlie Fellowes called Bradman, it's pretty likely he's an Aussie too. Was left behind by more sprinting types on debut, will have learned from that. JMac aboard, probably gets to a silly price.

South Dakota - ran fourth on debut behind Sergei Diaghilev (fav for the Windsor Castle on Wednesday) and two colts who won their next start. Education job that day, was third string for the stable, ran a little green but showed enough to think he might be a nice type. Can't see him beating the stablemate here though.

Sword Salute - easy win at Lingfield after finishing behind Revels on debut. Needs more.

Time For The Moon - took a big step forward from his debut to destroy his rivals in a novice at Musselburgh a fortnight ago. Aussie angle - he's a brother to Caulfield Cup winner Durston. Must have a chance.

Aperoll - subject to a decent betting plunge at Newbury on debut and won well. Trainer rates her highly, this will test that opinion.

Sea Venture - really caught the eye at Haydock on debut, was hard against the outside rail behind the pack, patiently waiting for a gap and then quickened very sharply. The form in behind hasn't turned out though but even if they were trees, the acceleration says she's a very good horse.

VERDICT

Aidan O'Brien has won this race seven times, including five in the last ten. Aix La Chapelle looked very professional on debut, he's the one to beat. Nola Soul showed he has a lot more to come and the turn-of-foot from Sea Venture can't be ignored.

AIX LA CHAPELLE, Nola Soul, Sea Venture

============

15.05 KING GEORGE V STAKES

Tierra Del Toro - a new purchase for Wathnan Racing, having run third in the London Gold Cup, a leading 3yo handicap at Newbury in May. Yet to miss a place in four runs, in the mix.

Cannes - nice type, with seconds to James J Braddock (Derby third) and Asakir (one of the chances in the Queen's Vase on Wed) before breaking his maiden at Leopardstown a month ago. That form has turned out well, the third & fourth have both won since (second yet to run again).

Al Azd - going very well this season, with a trio of seconds and a pair of wins before a midfield result in the London Gold Cup, dropping back in trip. He ran on nicely towards the end, and back to 1m4f, should be competitive. One thing to note with trainer Roger Varian - his record at Royal Ascot with non-favs is awful. 8/13 winners with SP favourites, 4/135 with non-favs.

Joulany - gelded since running second to Galiyan (Queen's Vase fav) last time and third to Maltese Cross (Derby second). Still a maiden and beaten three times at odds-on. The big snip might have the desired effect, otherwise I can see him being purchased to run in Australia. Sea The Stars runners first time after the snip win at 13.5% in the past 10 years. Worth a look at double figure odds.

Atomic City - broke through to just win a Cork maiden last time. From a powerful stable, particularly with stayers, first time in a handicap, don't ignore.

Dial Me In - another from Joseph O'Brien, ran second (giving 5lbs) to an Irish Derby-entered stablemate last time and comfortably ahead of a couple of useful last time out maiden winners. We've seen already that any of the JOB string can win, not just the top seeds. And gets the JMac touch...

Enceladus - just beat one who then lost to Cannes next time out. Way shorter in the betting than Dial Me In and Atomic City but with less score on the board. Ryan Moore will be riding this because of the connections who have several with Aidan, I do not think this is a choice or rank thing. Has a chance but no more than many others IMO.

Believed - bolted in at Dundalk last time, after a second to Johanna Walsh who runs in the Ribblesdale. Oisin Murphy takes over on this handy filly, Johnny Murtagh can train a decent one. Yet another in the mix.

Into The Light - after two promising early runs, ran second to Lost Boys at Sandown in late April, before that horse won the London Gold Cup. Charlie Appleby is yet to land a winner this week, although he's had three running in the first three. Leading chance in a tough race.


too many more to mention but can't really rule anything out in this race!

VERDICT

History suggests a wider draw is preferable here on the round course. I think Dial Me In is a great each-way bet although only drawn eight, Cannes comes from very wide, and Al Azd is drawn wider than midway. Waterford Castle for the exotics.

DIAL ME IN, Cannes, Al Azd, Waterford Castle

==========

No time for the others but tips...

15.40 Legacy Link, Johanna Walsh, Dark Lucinda

16.20 Trawlerman, Rahiebb, Al Riffa


17.00 throwing darts here... Noelan Star, Runman, Exclusive Code, Wechaad, Conclave


pass on the last two


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