Royal Ascot Festival 2023 Day 3 Tips: Back this 14/1 fancy for the Gold Cup

We've reached day 3 of our Royal Ascot previews and our horse racing enthusiast Izzy returns with four selections for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, starting with a selection in the King George V Stakes.

15:05 King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Selection: Bertinelli 

Bertinelli appears to have some of the best form on offer here with his win in the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his most recent outing; because of that he’ll have top weight to defy but conditions look to be ideal. He should have what it takes to out-class these rivals.

15:40 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies' Group 2)

Selection: Warm Heart

There are some impressive Frankel fillies in the field but I quite like the look of Warm Heart by Galileo. She had a couple of these in behind when victorious at Newbury last time out - including the favourite in that race Bluestocking (that she re-opposes here). She should have no issues with the extra furlong and she’s running for the in-form A P O’Brien operation, who have already been seriously impressive this week and are now operating on a 27% strike rate.

16:20 Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Selection: Eldar Eldarov or Echoes In Rain E/W 

Eldar Eldarov has form at Royal Ascot having won the Queen’s Vase last year. He followed this up with a victory in the St Leger where he appeared to stay on well. In his seasonal reappearance at York last time out he looked to need the run but again appeared to be showing his stamina in the closing stages, hinting that he should be ready for a step up in trip. He is classy and as long as distance doesn’t prove his undoing he should relish this.

Echoes In Rain on the other hand should have no concerns with the trip. She’s a seriously classy mare who’s coming here off the back of a Grade 1 win in the Irish Mares Champion Hurdle. Willie Mullins has already shown with Vauban this week that he means business, bringing some of his top string hurdlers to the Royal Meeting. She could perhaps do with a drop of rain and a bit more give in the ground but I think regardless she’ll give a good showing of her abilities.

17:00 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 

Selection: Racingbreaks Ryder

This race is great for a bit of each way value and at first glance it really does feel like a lottery. One I like is Racingbreaks Ryder. He’s a very consistent horse who has never been out of the places in all but one of his starts. He’d be bidding for a five timer here but stranger things have happened. He should have no issues with the surface or the distance and I think he appears a fairly reliable each-way option.