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Ascot
Royal Ascot Day 3: O’Brien goes for four-in-a-row but can the Gosdens strike gold?
We have another excellent seven-race card to look forward to on Day 3 of Royal Ascot and there could be some titanic clashes. Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore will be bidding for a fourth consecutive victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes so we’ve taken a look at their chances, whilst John & Thady Gosden could be the trainers to follow. Our race of the day is the Gold Cup so we’ve previewed the main event. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Four in-a-row for O’Brien and Moore?
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore have been unstoppable in the Ribblesdale Stakes in recent years, winning each of the last three renewals. They are represented by Composing this time around and connections will be hoping she can make it four-in-a-row.
This filly showed a significant amount of potential at two, winning the Group 2 Debutante Stakes impressively, but her form tailed off towards the back end of the season. She will need to improve on her two starts so far this season too, but she has the form to feature, if back to her best.
Could it be John & Thady Gosden’s day?
The father and son training duo have some very good chances on Day 3 and Ribblesdale Stakes runner Legacy Link is right up there with the best of them. She won the Musidora at York last month and her second behind Thundering On is probably the best form on offer here.
Trawlerman is the defending champion in the Gold Cup so it’s no surprise that the eight-year-old is popular in the betting. He absolutely bolted up in last year’s race but it does look like a stronger affair on this occasion. No prep run is a slight concern but he’s proven and that means a lot in this race.
Oxagon was fairly useful as a two-year-old but things haven’t quite gone to plan in his last couple of starts. He did win the Kraven Stakes however and should be going close now back in Group 3 company.
Gold Cup preview
Defending champion Trawlerman is the one they all have to beat here, as he kicked clear impressively to win by seven lengths in 2025. John & Thady Gosden’s gelding hasn’t been seen since winning the Long Distance Cup here in October and will need to arrive in peak condition.
Scandinavia is the young pretender looking to usurp the king and his profile suggests the trip is going to be fine for him. Aidan O’Brien’s colt landed both the Goodwood Cup and the St Leger last term and is two-from-two so far this season. His market popularity makes a lot of sense.
Roger Varian’s Rahiebb is closely matched with Scandinavia on the St Leger form and Al Riffa looks like the potential class angle, if he stays the trip. Prix du Cadran winner Caballo De Mar is proven over the trip and is worth giving ago if you can get a double-figure price.
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