Hugh Taylor has three picks for Day Three at Royal Ascot, together with a two factors play within the Hampton Courtroom Stakes – watch all seven races stay on Sky Sports activities Racing.
GILDED WATER took a giant step ahead on his first begin over 1m2f at Chepstow final time, and he would possibly discover additional enchancment over 1m 4f within the King George V Handicap (3.05).
He made his debut solely two months in the past however left his first two runs a good approach behind at Chepstow, readily pulling clear from a Sir Michael Stoute colt who had confirmed loads of promise on debut.
He was nonetheless extending his benefit on the line regardless of being eased, and gives the look he’ll enhance once more over 1m 4f, which would not be a shock as his half-brother Circle Of Hearth, who additionally runs within the Royal colors, gained the Grade One Sydney Cup over 2m earlier this 12 months.
Gilded Water does lack expertise for a race of this nature, however in all probability makes up for it in potential and there is each probability he might progress into being higher than a handicapper.
The progeny of Farhh have a notably higher report as three-year-olds than as juveniles, so it in all probability should not be stunning that VOLTERRA confirmed much-improved from when successful on his seasonal debut at Newmarket, and regardless of his subsequent 9lb rise he nonetheless appears of curiosity within the Britannia Handicap (5.05), as there may be additional enchancment to come back.
That reappearance win was forewarned by the market, however he in all probability deserves additional credit score as a result of he took a powerful maintain in the course of the early levels of the race and within the circumstances did nicely to see out his race strongly, nicely on prime on the line.
The runner-up gained in good fashion subsequent time over the identical course and distance however had the advantage of a earlier run this season when he confronted Volterra and is just 2lb higher off with him right here.
Volterra did win at a modest degree as a two-year-old, however Farhh’s report with juveniles – 20 wins from 192 runs (10.42 per cent), 0.85 precise over anticipated, and a degree stakes lack of 85 factors – does not come near the report of his three-year-old progeny – 99 wins from 457 runs (21.66 per cent), 1.35 precise over anticipated, and a degree stakes revenue of 120 factors.
It appears unlikely we’ve seen the very best of him after simply 4 profession runs, and he is drawn subsequent to a few horses who’ve made the operating or raced prominently not too long ago, so he would possibly be capable of get a lead if connections want.
KING’S GAMBIT appears set to emulate a few of his secure’s earlier London Gold Cup winners by occurring to a lot better issues and he appears very a lot the one to beat within the Hampton Courtroom Stakes (5.40).
He was finally a really spectacular winner on that Newbury seasonal and handicap debut, briefly trying as if he would possibly wrestle to choose up the leaders approaching the two-furlong pole however choosing up as soon as he discovered a niche after which surging clear in nice fashion within the last 100 yards.
His last furlong was sooner in keeping with the Whole Efficiency Knowledge sectionals than that of Diamond Rain, favorite for the Ribblesdale Stakes earlier on this card, who herself completed strongly to win a way more steadily-run race later within the day, the truth that she was slower than King’s Gambit in that last furlong regardless of recording an total time greater than two-and-a-half seconds slower paying a giant praise to the colt’s efficiency.
The Charlton secure’s London Gold Cup winners have accomplished extraordinarily nicely subsequently, together with at Group One and Group Two degree, and King’s Gambit can take this as his subsequent step on the ladder.
Hugh’s finest bets (1-5 factors)
3.05 ROYAL ASCOT – 1pt win GILDED WATER
5.05 ROYAL ASCOT – 1pt win VOLTERRA
5.40 ROYAL ASCOT – 2pts win KING’S GAMBIT
Watch each race from Royal Ascot stay on Sky Sports activities Racing this week.
