- Royal Ascot Day 3: Best bet, each-way selection and treble including:
- Torito to win the Hampton Court Stakes
- Benacre each-way in the Britannia Stakes

It is the main event of the week at Royal Ascot on Thursday as the Gold Cup dominates the afternoon, the latest chapter in the rich history of a race that dates back more than 200 years.

Day 3 - Key info

First race: 14:30 Norfolk Stakes

Feature race: 16:20 Ascot Gold Cup

The Gold Cup is the jewel in the Royal Ascot crown and on Thursday afternoon, the Berkshire turf will be graced by the best stayers in the land, all aiming to write their names into folklore by winning the ultimate prize on the grandest stage.

Frankie Dettori has won the race eight times across more than three decades. Can the lightly-raced and unbeaten 4YO Courage Mon Ami give him the perfect send-off? 

It has been a trying few days for Frankie but few would discount the idea he will bounce back as the week roars on.

Coltrane is the form horse coming into this race for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, while the recent rain has been a positive for Trueshan. Alan King's popular and talented stayer has been out of sorts lately and needs to defy a 100-year trend if he is going to win this for the first time as a 7YO.

Four-year-olds have dominated in the last decade or so, with eight wins in 11, and that points towards the likes of St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov for Roger Varian, Aidan O'Brien's filly, and Dettori's partner, Emily Dickinson. The Gold Cup is the centrepiece of Royal Ascot and a contest not to be missed.

Best bet of the day: Torito to win the Hampton Court Stakes (17:35) @ 9/2

The first two days were tough for Frankie Dettori and he may be out of luck again here. John & Thady Gosden have two aces to play in this Group 3 in the form of TORITO and Epictetus. 

Dettori rides the latter, on whom he won a Derby Trial at Epsom in April. They were beaten in the Dante at York afterwards and again since in the French Derby at Longchamp.

This is a drop in class but perhaps things have stalled for Epictetus, while fellow Kingman colt Torito is on the up after landing an Epsom handicap this month in impressive fashion off a mark of 95. Now rated 105, he commands a place in this company and Benoit De La Sayette keeps the ride here.

Both in the colours of George Strawbridge, Dettori may be green with envy at the finish.

Best each-way bet of the day: Benacre each-way in the Britannia Stakes (17:00) @ 25/1

The Charlie Johnston-trained BENACRE might be one that can cause a minor surprise in the Britannia Stakes. Winner of an Epsom maiden on debut last season, he progressed in the autumn and signed off with wins at Epsom again and Goodwood, both over 7f.

This season began with solid runs in Listed company at Newcastle and Newmarket, latterly when second to subsequent Group 2 second Shouldvebeenaring in the King Charles II Stakes. 

He has been a little disappointing since in the German 2000 Guineas but now back in a handicap, he could still be nicely treated.

Day 3 acca

Everybody loves a Royal Ascot accumulator and we will be pointing towards one on each of the five days this week. On day three, our treble pays over 22/1 return with LiveScoreBet.

Bet 1: Back Elite Status to win the Norfolk Status (14:30) @ 11/8

American Rascal is a potential fly in the ointment for trainer Wesley Ward, who is bidding for a third win in this since 2013, but even allowing for that, Karl Burke's ELITE STATUS looks a cut above. 

He won the National Stakes at Sandown in the style of a very smart juvenile and should take some stopping now.

Bet 2: Back Al Asifah to win the Ribblesdale Stakes (15:40) @ 4/7

John & Thady Gosden wasted no time in allowing Frankel filly AL ASIFAH to step up in class after an impressive opening win at Haydock and they were duly rewarded with an even more taking display at Goodwood 11 days ago. 

She showed push-button acceleration to go away from her rivals in a flash there and can give Jim Crowley more Royal Ascot glory after his dominant success in these Shadwell colours on board Mostahdaf in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Bet 3: Back Emily Dickinson to win the Gold Cup (16:20) @ 5/1

Coltrane is the form horse heading into the Gold Cup but 4YOs have dominated this great race of late, winning eight of the previous 11 renewals, and that brings in St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov, unbeaten Courage Mon Ami and Ballydoyle filly EMILY DICKINSON right into the mix. 

O'Brien has pinpointed this race for her and while she was beaten last month over 1m6f at Leopardstown, this longer trip should bring out the best in her and she is unlikely to make the running again here.