Royal Ascot Tips: Vintage Norfolk Stakes and on-song Stradivarius

Day Three at Royal Ascot promises to be a cracker as Stradivarius and Order of St George lock horns in the Ascot Gold Cup.

We’re backing our man Frankie to slay Aidan O’Brien’s charge in the feature race.

And we’ve tipped up the other five contests too, including the Norfolk Stakes and the Ribblesdale Stakes, on what promises to be another exciting afternoon of action on ITV4.

Check out our selections below…

NAP – Stradivarius – 4:20, Ascot

There’s no mucking about on Day 3 at Royal Ascot. So we’re steaming straight in on the feature race and tipping Stradivarius to edge out rival Order of St George in the Ascot Gold Cup.

John Gosden’s staying star shaped well on his return in the Yorkshire Cup to pick up a third black-type victory of his career.

While he’ll need to find more here over 2m4f, the good news is the 2017 Goodwood Cup winner has plenty left in the tank to tackle the longer distance with ease.

He finished third behind Aidan O’Brien’s runner on Champions’ Day at Ascot last year. But given an extra 4f here – and with man-of-the-moment Frankie Dettori on board – we think he can edge out the six-year-old in what should be one of the battles of the meeting.

NB – Vintage Brut – 2:30, Ascot

There’s plenty to like about Tim Easterby’s sprinting sensation Vintage Brut in the Norfolk Stakes.

The Dick Turpin colt is two from two so far after hacking up by 7l on debut at Thirsk and landing a Listed contest at Sandown last time out.

He’ll hold no fear about today’s competition either. Wesley Ward’s favourites have flattered to deceive at the meeting, while the selection beat fellow market leader Konchek comfortably into third when they last met.

Can the progressive two-year-old rack up a hat-trick in the opener? We think so.

Lively Longshot – Downdraft – 5:35, Ascot

Depending on who you listen to, Downdraft could be the play of the day. The three-year-old colt goes in the King George V Stakes after chinning The King on the post at Navan last time out.

And that run over 1m2f could be hugely significant. Why? Because he’ll get an extra 2f here. If his success in Ireland is anything to by, the son of Camelot should relish the extra distance afforded to him.

An 8lb jump won’t help his cause, but we’re confident he can get the job done nonetheless.

ITV Racing Tips:

• 2:30 Ascot – Vintage Brut (NB)
• 3:05 Ascot – Key Victory
• 3:40 Ascot – Wild Illusion
• 4:20 Ascot – Stradivarius (NAP)
• 5:00 Ascot – Moqarrar (each-way)
• 5:35 Ascot – Downdraft (Lively Longshot, each-way)

All Odds and Markets correct as of date and publication