Royal Ascot Day 3, Free Picks, Predictions and Preview (6/16/22)

According to numberFire Racing's analysis, these are the best bets and plays to make on TVG on Thursday, June 16th.

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R1: NORFOLK STAKES (Group 2)

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This looks a red-hot Norfolk, with THE ANTARCTIC taken to remain unbeaten with a third success. A full brother to the mighty sprinter Battaash, he's not been fully extended as he's won his first 2 starts in Ireland and has plenty more in the locker. Walbank stormed clear at York and looks the obvious danger with further improvement to come. Pillow Talk also won well second time up on the Knavesmire and has more to offer.

Betting Forecast : 5/2 The Antarctic, 11/4 Walbank, 8/1 Bakeel, 17/2 Brave Nation, 12/1 Pillow Talk, 14/1 Crispy Cat, 25/1 Thunder Moor, 28/1 The Ridler, 40/1 Redemption Time, 66/1 Jungle Fever, 250/1 My First Rodeo

R2: KING GEORGE V STAKES (HERITAGE HANDICAP)

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The way ISRAR won at Newbury suggests he's well ahead of the handicapper, so he gets the marginal vote to go in again in what is usually one of the hottest 3-y-o handicaps of the season. Post Impressionist, Secret State and Mandobi are serious players also.

Betting Forecast : 13/2 Post Impressionist, 8/1 Secret State, 9/1 Israr, 12/1 Mandobi, 12/1 Surrey Mist, 14/1 Yashin, 14/1 Savvy Knight, 14/1 Newfoundland, 14/1 Deauville Legend, 22/1 Franz Strauss, 25/1 Achnamara, 28/1 Balhambar, 33/1 Schmilsson, 33/1 Flying Dolphin, 33/1 Vina Sena, 40/1 Inverness, 40/1 Teumessias Fox, 66/1 Berkshire Rebel, 66/1 Mr Alan

R3: RIBBLESDALE STAKES (Group 2)

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MAGICAL LAGOON showed improved form when narrowly denied in a Navan listed event on her reappearance and, with that form working out well, she's an appealing candidate, especially with her pedigree pointing towards further progress over this longer trip. Sea Silk Road and Life of Dreams are also very promising and rate big threats.

Betting Forecast : 9/4 Sea Silk Road, 10/3 Magical Lagoon, 7/2 Life Of Dreams, 13/2 Mukaddamah, 17/2 History, 33/1 Mystic Wells

R4: GOLD CUP (Group 1)

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A tightly-knit affair that could go the way of the improving BASHKIROVA provided she's not undone by a relatively quick turnaround. She was impressive at Epsom last time and could take another step forward to get the better of Saffron Beach and Mother Earth. French-raider Sibila Spain also arrives on the up and warrants respect.

Betting Forecast : 3/1 Bashkirova, 7/2 Saffron Beach, 7/2 Mother Earth, 7/1 Sibila Spain, 7/1 Novemba, 25/1 Primo Bacio, 40/1 Kennella, 50/1 Thunder Beauty

R5: BRITANNIA STAKES (HERITAGE HANDICAP)

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Having saved both TRANQUIL NIGHT and King of Time for this following impressive wins in April, Charlie Appleby probably holds the aces despite the field size. The latter is unbeaten and could be a Group horse but the former's strength in the finish at Newmarket was striking and he is just preferred at the prices. Of the rest, Thesis has yet to win a race but could easily advance his form with this big-field scenario sure to suit.

Betting Forecast : 5/1 King Of Time, 10/1 Whoputfiftyinyou, 10/1 Tranquil Night, 16/1 Saga, 18/1 Yonafis, 18/1 Wanees, 20/1 Amortentia, 25/1 Atrium, 25/1 Kitsune Power, 25/1 Jimi Hendrix, 28/1 Bolthole, 28/1 Thesis, 33/1 Malex, 33/1 Fiach Mchugh, 33/1 Koy Koy, 33/1 Lawful Command, 40/1 Spinaround, 40/1 Oh Herberts Reign, 40/1 Barley, 66/1 Mr Mccann, 66/1 Great Max, 66/1 I'm A Gambler, 66/1 Ribhi, 66/1 My Little Tip, 80/1 Power Of Beauty, 80/1 Harrow, 80/1 Sed Maarib, 100/1 Claim The Crown, 100/1 Blenheim Boy, 150/1 Oneforthegutter

R6: HAMPTON COURT STAKES (Group 3)

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REACH FOR THE MOON missed the Derby with a setback but returned with an most-encouraging effort when runner-up in a listed event at Sandown 4 weeks ago. John & Thady Gosden's charge is clearly highly regarded (holds a couple of Group 1 entries) and with this step up in trip holding no fears, he's a confident choice to get back to winning ways. Claymore's most recent effort is easily excused so he shades the vote for the forecast spot over Maksud.

Betting Forecast : 4/7 Reach For The Moon, 13/2 Claymore, 10/1 Maksud, 11/1 Cresta, 20/1 Kingmax, 33/1 Howth

R7: BUCKINGHAM PALACE STAKES (HANDICAP)

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MONTASSIB missed the whole of 2021 having won on debut at 2 yrs but he's quickly making up for lost time, supplementing his Wetherby reappearance victory with an impressive display on handicap debut at Goodwood 4 weeks ago. He promises to do better still and can put up a bold bid. Victoria Cup scorer Vafortino and low-mileage Tanmawwy are others to consider, as are Silent Film and George Boughey's Inver Park.

Betting Forecast : 8/1 Montassib, 12/1 Silent Film, 14/1 Vafortino, 18/1 Tactical, 18/1 Inver Park, 18/1 Tanmawwy, 22/1 Oo De Lally, 22/1 Al Rufaa, 22/1 Fastnet Crown, 25/1 Path Of Thunder, 25/1 River Nymph, 25/1 Chiefofchiefs, 25/1 Dance Fever, 28/1 Fools Rush In, 33/1 Ejtilaab, 33/1 Rhoscolyn, 33/1 Baradar, 33/1 Total Commitment, 40/1 Star Of Orion, 40/1 Snazzy Jazzy, 40/1 Ouzo, 40/1 Above, 40/1 Soar Above, 50/1 Spirit Of Light, 50/1 Current Option, 50/1 Ropey Guest, 66/1 Documenting, 80/1 Mums Tipple, 100/1 Pistoletto