Kevin Blake has three picks for day three at Royal Ascot, an afternoon headlined by the Gold Cup.
Day three of Royal Ascot brings us towards the halfway point of this wonderful meeting. Hopefully it has been lucky for you so far and if not, don't panic, the road is long and so is Royal Ascot week!
The Chesham Stakes (2.30) is always a really fascinating contest and it goes without saying that stamina is a big key to victory over the seven-furlong trip. One that seems to be slipping under the radar somewhat is the Fozzie Stack-trained NOLA SOUL.
The son of Justify realised $220,000 at Keeneland as a foal and was quietly fancied for his debut in a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown that has a strong record of producing future group winners. He was quite green through the race, but once he straightened for home and opened up his long stride, he took control inside the final furlong and won with a bit to spare.
Stamina is an asset for him as he is a particularly long and slow strider that is likely to be seen to even better effect on a stiff, straight track. He seems sure to improve from that experience and a big effort could well be forthcoming.
The Britannia Stakes (5.00) is one of the toughest handicaps of the week, which is saying something, but I'm going to have a swing at one at a big price in the shape of JAMESTOWN.
The son of Ulysses has improved with each of his four starts, most interestingly finishing an excellent short-head second to Bobby McGee in a strong handicap over a mile at Naas in April. The form of that race has worked out well and he came from an unpromising position that day, so the promise of it was clear.
He reverted to maiden company thereafter and turned a seven-furlong contest at Dundalk into a procession, winning by seven lengths. The handicapper put him up 6lb for that win, but he needed every one of those pounds to sneak into the very bottom of this race. His trainer David Marnane has a wonderful record in handicaps at this meeting having won the Wokingham and the Royal Hunt Cup in the past, two races that Irish-trained horses have found it particularly tough to win over the decades.
It wouldn't be at all surprising if Jamestown makes a bold bid to add the Britannia to Marnane's Royal Ascot haul.
The Hampton Court Stakes (5:35) is a fascinating race and Aidan O'Brien might well hold the key with ENDORSEMENT.
The son of Wootton Bassett has proven to be progressive throughout his career and has improved from start to start this season. His form from his runs in the Derby trials at Leopardstown earlier this season reads well after he finished close to the Derby winner Christmas Day and the Derby third James J Braddock - as well as the Group 1 winner Pierre Bonnard.
He had his sights lowered on his most recent start in the King George V Cup at Leopardstown and duly bolted up by seven lengths from his stable mate Amadeus Mozart.
This represents a step back up in class and a drop back in trip, but he very much looks to be the form pick and can continue his progression with another success here under Ryan Moore.
