![Royal Ascot day 3 Placepot tips: Expert picks for Thursday June 20](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/betting/better-collective-new/royal-ascot-placepot.jpg?imwidth=680)
Royal Ascot day 3 Placepot tips: Expert picks for Thursday June 20
Read our expert Royal Ascot Placepot picks for Thursday’s card. Find out which runners to include as we target the Tote Placepot pool
![Royal Ascot day 3 Placepot tips: Expert picks for Thursday June 20](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/betting/better-collective-new/royal-ascot-placepot.jpg?imwidth=680)
The middle afternoon of Royal Ascot comes up today, and of course that means Gold Cup Day on the celebrated Berkshire turf as Kyprios bids to take back his crown for Aidan O’Brien.
Royal Ascot Tote Placepot picks – Thursday predictions
Get the lowdown on how the Placepot works and selection strategies in our Placepot guide.
Try your luck on the Royal Ascot Placepot today with this Tote offer
Already got a Tote account? Take advantage of the latest free bets offers for new customers.
Royal Ascot Tote Placepot picks – Thursday predictions
Race 1: Royal Ascot, 2.30
Aidan O’Brien has made little attempt to hide the esteem in which he holds Whistlejacket. The No Nay Never colt was surprisingly beaten on debut, though the winner ran well here in the Coventry on Tuesday, but has since won a Listed race at the Curragh (5f, soft) when beating a subsequent Group 3 victor. The 500,000-guinea yearling looks tailor-made for this contest and is given a confident vote in leg one.
Selection: No 13 Whistlejacket
Race 2: Royal Ascot, 3.05
William Haggas and Tom Marquand won this race 12 months ago and should harbour high hopes again with Gilded Water in the royal silks. The gelding has improved in each start so far, easily winning a Chepstow maiden three weeks ago when stepped up to 1m 2f. With his stamina further tested on his handicap bow, he looks a key player. Aidan O’Brien fires four at this target and it is Gallantly who appeals the most. He powered home in his Chester maiden win in early May after having to wait to get off the running rail and go about his business. Again, the extra yardage looks to be a positive for him now.
Selections: No 6 Gilded Water, No 13 Gallantly
Race 3: Royal Ascot, 3.45
Charlie Appleby may not have many better chances this week than Diamond Rain, his unbeaten Godolphin-owned daughter of Shamardal. She is 2-2 so far and won a Listed contest at Newbury last month in the style of a rapidly improving filly. This is not a vintage Ribblesdale and William Buick’s charge should take some halting.
Selection: No 2 Diamond Run
Race 4: Royal Ascot, 4.25
The 2022 victor Kyprios returns to the scene of that first Group 1 win and is very much the leading candidate now. He missed the race last summer and was twice beaten afterwards, but he is 2-2 this season in Ireland and seemingly right back on track. Anything that topples him should end up with the prize. Vauban’s stamina is yet to be proved for this test and so the safety-net option is Gregory. He also won here last season and, while he is 0-3 since, he has been running well in good-quality races. In last month’s Yorkshire Cup comeback, he stayed on at the end of 1m 6f under James Doyle. They may relish the test served up now.
Selections: No 3 Kyprios, No 9 Gregory
Discover the best casino bonuses and bingo bonuses for 2024
Race 5: Royal Ascot, 5.05
Volterra began this season as he ended his juvenile term, with a win, as he scored at Newmarket in May over this mile trip. Kevin Ryan’s charge readily accounted for a next-time-out victor at HQ and, while he is 9lb higher now, he is one to keep onside. This is fiercely competitive stuff. Qirat made a winning comeback in a £51k handicap at Goodwood, represents a Ralph Beckett yard in top form of late and is also set to go well. Arctic Thunder was a game winner over 7f at this course on his handicap/turf bow and is entitled to build on that up in trip for the Andrew Balding team. Having three onside in this cavalry charge is not a bad play.
Selections: No 19 Qirat, No 20 Arctic Thunder, No 21 Volterra
Race 6: Royal Ascot, 5.40
King’s Gambit looked every inch the proverbial Group horse in a handicap when he won the London Gold Cup at Newbury last month on his seasonal/handicap bow, with subsequent Epsom winner Persica advertising that form since. Harry Charlton’s three-year-old should progress again on his second start at this distance and is unlikely to let placepot punters down in the final leg. André Fabre’s First Look ran a mighty race when second in the French Derby 18 days ago, only held by the hitherto unbeaten winner, and comes here with strong claims under James Doyle, having been snapped up since by Wathnan Racing.
Selections: No 5 First Look, No 7 King’s Gambit
Want more Royal Ascot betting content?
Read more expert Royal Ascot betting predictions.
Betting | Telegraph Media Group provides extensively researched, expert analysis, tips and odds to ensure readers are best informed when placing bets on football. Read more about our publishing principles here