Royal Ascot horse racing picks and predictions for Thursday 6/16: Princess Zoe can strike gold

Frankie Dettori does a flying dismount from Star Catcher after winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019.
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Phil Agius

Horse Racing

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I've been writing about the NFL and a host of other sports for the UK's top daily betting paper the Racing Post for more than 20 years. An incurable Browns fan (1-31 survivor), I also specialise in all kinds of motorsport betting including F1, MotoGP, IndyCar and NASCAR. For Phil Agius media enquiries, please email contact@pickswise.com.
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Royal Ascot is one of the biggest weeks in the British horse racing calendar. Every race is being broadcast live on NBC Sports, with the remaining action on Thursday and Friday being shown on Peacock and the final day on Saturday available on both Peacock and NBC.

Elite horses from across Europe and worldwide stables have gathered at the famous track, with a number of American contenders taking their chance.

We gave three winners for Royal Ascot on Wednesday, so let’s try to keep cashing those bets!

Here at Pickswise we will be providing free picks and predictions for every single race, so let’s see how our experts see the third day’s racing going. Odds shown are a guide for information only.

Race 1 (Norfolk Stakes): Walbank (7/4), 9:30 am ET

The Antarctic should make a bold bid to remain unbeaten but narrow preference is for WALBANK, who looked like a really promising juvenile when he charged clear at York last month. Newmarket trainer Michael Bell saddled The Lir Jet to win this race in 2020 and his easy Doncaster winner Brave Nation is another contender.

Race 2 (King George V Stakes): Yashin (14/1), 10:05 am ET

Post Impressionist has a great chance in this race as he steps up in trip, with his form boosted by the win of Eldar Eldarov on Wednesday. Newfoundland worth considering from the Aidan O’Brien stable, but YASHIN offers value at double-digit odds after beating Vina Sena over 10 furlongs  last time out. He should appreciate the extra 2 furlongs of this race.

Race 3 (Ribblesdale Stakes): Life Of Dreams (5/1), 10:40 am ET

The step up in trip looks just what LIFE OF DREAMS needs, and she may well have gone up against a superstar when brushed aside by Emily Upjohn at York. She gets the vote ahead of Sea Silk Road — who finished well at Goodwood last month — and Magical Lagoon.

Race 4 (Ascot Gold Cup): Princess Zoe (7/1), 11:20 am ET

Veteran Stradivarius remains a strong contender for this marathon test of 2 1/2 miles. He’s won this famous race 3 times. PRINCESS ZOE finished ahead of him in 2nd last year, though, and no longer seems to need soft ground to impress. Aidan O’Brien’s Kyprios is going beyond 14 furlongs for the first time and former Epsom Derby runner-up Mojo Star is another who could improve for this stamina test. Alignak is interesting at big odds.

Race 5 (Britannia Stakes): Saga (12/1), 12:00 pm ET

This is a typically tricky big-field Ascot handicap race. SAGA disappointed in his handicap debut last month, but had previously looked to have the ability to compete at an even higher level than this. King Of Time and Yonafis are dangerous contenders with lower weights, while Amortentia and Whoputfiftyinyou are also worth considering.

Race 6 (Hampton Court Stakes): Reach For The Moon (1/2), 12:35 pm ET

Frankie Dettori could ride a Royal Ascot winner for the Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year on hot favorite REACH FOR THE MOON, who has the best form in the race and should enjoy today’s step up in trip. Claymore had excuses for a disappointing run in the French 2,000 Guineas and could be best of the rest, ahead of Howth.

Race 7 (Buckingham Palace Stakes): Montassib (9/2), 1:10 pm ET

MONTASSIB looked great in his handicap debut at Goodwood on ground that was thought to be too soft for him. Silent Film is another unexposed runner to consider, while Vafortino, Tactical and Ouzo could also get into contention in the final race of the third day.

All of our horse racing predictions and handicapping information at Pickswise come with full analysis, brought to you by industry leaders with decades of experience. Check out our latest Horse Racing Picks today!

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