Royal Ascot 2021 - Day 3


Another profitable day yesterday with a few places but no winners. Selections for day three come with a word of caution though, there is a deluge forecast which could mean the surface changes from rattling quick to testing conditions in a matter of hours. I’ve based my research on ground on the softer side of good but we all know weather forecasts are far from cast in stone so I’d recommend treading carefully here.

I have only covered two races as it stands but may update this page at some point tomorrow with further selections dependent on weather changes and morning odds.


2:30 - Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 5f

Adam Kirby hasn’t ridden a winner since the derby but I think he has a good chance in the opener teaming up with Clive Cox, who is normally a good man to follow over sprint trips here. INSTINCTIVE MOVE finished off his race nicely at Bath on debut and was clearly well thought of being sent off as a 9/4 shot. The stiff 5f here at Ascot should suit nicely based on that run and his dam was a multiple winner on soft ground, including a listed race out in Germany, so if the rain does materialise then he should have a good chance of handling it.

INSTINCTIVE MOVE 8/1


6:10 - Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) 7f

Despite the fact we did have some winners from high draws yesterday, I am still very much sticking to those drawn high in the handicaps as this draw bias tends to be accentuated when the ground is on the softer side. LORD RAPSCALLION will be my main play here from the bottom end of the weights for an in form Stuart Williams (operating at 23% strike rate in last 14 days). He looks well treated on the pick of his Irish form and caught the eye a couple of starts back at Goodwood when rattling home to be beaten less than a length, that was despite meeting trouble in running and being held up in rear in a race where the winner made all. I think he had excuses at Epsom again last time out and this course is likely to suit much better. The majority of firms are offering 6 places each-way and apprentice jockey Marco Ghiani showed how valuable his 3lb claim can be when overcoming a difficult draw in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday.

I’m also going to have a smaller play on BIELSA after his staying on second when beaten just a nose at Haydock last time out. He hasn’t fulfilled his promise he showed a couple of years ago but has been running well this season without managing to get his head in front. Kevin Ryan’s charge is versatile ground-wise and the way he has shaped in recent starts suggests this step up to seven furlongs could suit.

LORD RAPSCALLION 20/1

BIELSA 18/1

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