Ben Morgan’s Royal Ascot Day 3 tips – Scandinavia set for landmark victory in Gold Cup on Day 3

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for the action across day three of Royal Ascot 2026.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Racing news you need, subscribe to the Racing Ahead website, digital edition, or magazine from as little as 8p a day.

2.30 – Chesham Stakes – George Scott to Venture into Royal winning enclosure

History will tell you Aidan O’Brien is certainly worth backing blind in this race and his representatives this year deserve maximum respect after their opening runs.

I’d probably side with South Dakota at the prices if I had to back one of them but I was so taken with SEA VENTURE on debut at Haydock that I simply have to put her up here.

George Scott’s regally bred filly took off at the furlong pole after being denied a run prior to that and swooped past her rivals with the minimum of fuss.

I haven’t seen too many horses show that turn of foot at Haydock in the final furlong and although you could question the form, I do feel the visual impression she made was taking and I think the boys will struggle to give her 5lbs especially after further positive comments from trainer George Scott.

3.05 – King George V Stakes – Walker improver could be a Knight of the realm now stamina tested

A competitve handicap, as you would expect, with so many in with chances. An interesting one for me is GOLDEN KNIGHT who steps up from 1m to 1m 4f today for the first time and could be open to any amount of improvement.

Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark have surprised everyone once already this week and the move to step up half a mile in trip may sound brave but when you look at his breeding you would suggest it as a  sensible idea.

By Camelot out of a filly who has produced plenty of stamina laden horses for Coolmore previously, he is certainly bred for this trip and the fact he has manufactured his handicap mark of 87 from running over a mile suggests he could be thrown in now upped to this trip. I’m willing to take a chance at 20/1.

3.40 – Ribblesdale Stakes – Beckett to work his magic again with unexposed filly

I am not convinced with the bare form of the Oaks and therefore see Legacy Link as a smart lay here at her current price.

The form of her rivals may be equally questionable here but I do like the claims of LADY ROISIA who travelled well for a long way on her reappearance last time out at Newbury.

Ralph Beckett trains, who also trained her classic winning Mother, and he made it quite clear that she would step forward for her run at Newbury so I took it as a positive that she ran so well there.

Now, assumingly, much fitter I think she can show her true form here and at 20/1 she rates another solid each way play.

4.15 – Gold Cup – Gold Cup set for Scandinavian voyage 

A really interesting renewal of the Gold Cup where the 4 year old newcomers to this division look to hold a strong hand. I can’t escape the favourite who looked so progressive last season when managing to win a Goodwood Cup before taking out the St Leger in September.

I was very sweet on him that day and although he only beat Rahiebb by a neck that day I do feel he was much the better horse.

The fact he has ran twice already this season suggests top connections have earmarked this race as his main target this season for which he will undoubtebly be at the peak of his powers. He rates one of my stronger bets of the day.

4.50 – Brittania Stakes – Unexposed duo hard to split 

Unfortunately, two horses who I have had my shortlist for a good few weeks now both line up here and I am struggling to split them. I advise split stakes, win only on both WECHAAD and MOONFALL here and hope one of them can do the business.

The former ran a mighty race from an unpromising position at Goodwood last time out, showing that he had improved upon his two year old form which was strong in itself. He remains on a lenient mark in my view and could progress to a Group performer before the year is out.

The latter was a big eye catcher at Chester last time and also possesses some top 2 year old form which again suggests he could be better than his current mark.

They are drawn high and next to each other so hopefully they don’t get in each other’s way as I am sure one if not two can go very close here. 

5.35 – Hampton Court Stakes  – O’Brien holds all the cards in an interesting race

A few of these are on retrieval missions here after some disappointing efforts last time out which makes this race interesting viewing with the remainder of the season in mind.

I do like the O’Brien pair Endorsement and ITALY who both boast some top form especially the former who seems to have been a shade unlucky to have bumped into some very smart horses so far in his career.

However it is the latter who I have plumped for after his encouraging reappearance at Leopardstown behind Endorsement and Derby winner, Christmas Day.

That run would have bought him on and after a busy two year old campaign where he was very naive, I do think he could have more to offer this year. at 13/2 he looks a fair price. 

6.10 – Buckingam Palace Stakes – Fellowes veteran to roll back the years

An ultra competitive 7f handicap to conclude proceedings on Day 3.

There are about 10 horses on my shortlist but I am going to plump for VAFORTINO who under Christophe Soumillon might just roll back the days to find his best form.

A proper ‘7f specialist’ if you like, he has plenty of top form in the book and a recent blowout at York would have put him spot on for this. At 20/1 plus he should give supporters a run for their money.

READ MORE: Andy Newton’s Royal Ascot Tips On Thursday, With Ladies Day 1-2-3 Best Bets