Royal Ascot 2018 horse racing tips: Runners to back on Day Three

Standard Sport runs the rule over the horses to back on Day Three at Royal Ascot 2018.

The third day of Royal Ascot 2018 has a lot to saviour with four group races and two fiercely competitive handicaps.

The Ascot Gold Cup 2018 is the highlight on day three and is supported by some excellent group races including the Ribblesdale Stakes, the Norfolk Stakes and the Tercentenary Stakes, all offering something slightly different. There is over £1,000,000 in prize money on offer on day three and as such there is much to enjoy.

Race 1, 2:30pm, The Norfolk Stakes

Vintage Brut: Tim Easterby's 2-y-o might just be underestimated because he comes from a stable not known for tasting success in the south, but this precocious type really impressed when landing the National Stakes at Sandown (despite racing very freely in rear for the first two furlongs), and is open to more improvement as he settles down in a strong run/bigger field contest that he will certainly get here for the first time.

Race 2, 3:05pm, The Hampton Court Stakes

Massaarr: Roger Varian has his team in terrific form as the height of the summer approaches, and this improving sort has been notably strong in the market in all career starts so far, having an excuse when a shade disappointing last time out.

Race 3, 3:40pm, The Ribblesdale Stakes

Sun Maiden: With Lah Ti Dar ruled out, Sir Michael Stoute's filly is taken to take this leap up into Group class in her stride. She was one of the most impressive winners seen for years in her novice stakes at Salisbury on seasonal debut, cruising twelve lengths clear on the bridle from toiling rivals, and will appreciate this stiffer test of stamina on quick ground.

Race 4, 4:20pm, The Gold Cup Stakes

Stradivarius: John Gosden's top class stayer has returned better than ever this season, and did not need to come off the bridle to win in style at York on his reappearance. He is a smooth traveller with a sharp turn of foot for these sort of races, and the likely strong run race here should set things up ideally for a late burst at the business end.

Race 5, 5:00pm, The Britannia Stakes

Corrosive: Hugo Palmer has his team peaking a the right time for this valuable meeting, and his progressive perfomer made a winning start in handicaps over this course and distance last time out. He has loads of scope to keep improving as he matures for more racing, and can take this step up in class in his stride.

Race 6, 5:35pm, The King Georges V Stakes

First Eleven: This progressive handicapper has potential to be a lot better than this mark after just five career starts so far, and his trainer is an expert at laying one out for this meeting.

Race 1, 2:30pm, The Norfolk Stakes

Vintage Brut: Tim Easterby's 2-y-o might just be underestimated because he comes from a stable not known for tasting success in the south, but this precocious type really impressed when landing the National Stakes at Sandown (despite racing very freely in rear for the first two furlongs), and is open to more improvement as he settles down in a strong run/bigger field contest that he will certainly get here for the first time.

Tips provided by bettingexpert.com