Royal Ascot Day 3 betting tips: Templegate’s best bets preview for all ITV races on TODAY

ROYAL ASCOT

1.15

GLOBAL STORM can blow away his rivals for the boys in blue. He had a good juvenile season last year and finished off by winning a nursery handicap at Newmarket with ease.

There’s always a worry about how they will train on from two to three but he eased those fears with a gutsy success on comeback at HQ 11 days ago.

He picked up really well there and was value for further than the official short-head margin. That was over this trip and he can have a big say carrying a 5lb penalty.

Maori Knight was a winner on the all-weather at Chelmsford in February and ran close to that form when a good second on comeback at Haydock earlier this month. He saw out this distance nicely enough and there’s something to build on.

Acquitted won twice last season and shaped well in a hot contest at Newcastle 12 days ago. That was over a mile and he looks ready for this longer distance.

Hypothetical comes from John Gosden and Frankie Dettori and is dropping in class after a solid fourth in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on comeback. He went well until the lack of a recent run appeared to take its toll. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t take a step forward from that.

1.50

REGAL REALITY has spent most of his career in Group races so this is a major drop in class for Sir Michael Stoute’s five-year-old.

He was last seen pitched into the Champion Stakes over course and distance but that was a bridge too far. He held his own in other high-class contests including when third in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown after earlier winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes there.

If this was a handicap he’d be giving weight away to all-comers but is actually getting 5lb from one of his rivals. He should be right there at the finish.

Fox Tal is another having his sights lowered after being beaten three lengths by Magical in the Champion Stakes where he finished ahead of my fancy. He’s not been the easiest to train and this is just his seventh run. His wins have been in minor contests but he clearly has ability.

Sir Dragonet is classy but this trip looked on the sharp side when he was held at Naas on comeback and he may just lack a bit of toe when the speed goes on.

Frankie Dettori has picked Crossed Baton over the other John Gosden runner Dubai Warrior. On form that doesn’t appear to make sense because the latter won the Winter Derby in fine style at Lingfield in February.

But Crossed Baton must be showing plenty at home and he had a couple of lengths in hand when scoring in this Listed class at Lingfield in November.

Dream Castle has William Buick on board and he has been holding his own in Group contests in Dubai. He was fourth in the prestigious Jebel Hatta last time and shapes as though this trip will suit.

SEE OVER £1500 IN FREE BETS HERE

2.25

MOLATHAM showed much his best form over this specialist trip last season when winning his maiden at York before a gutsy Listed success at Doncaster.

The ground was lively for those victories and the muddy conditions combined with stepping up to a mile meant he was only third in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October. He wasn’t helped by running on his own up the middle of the Rowley Mile.

He should develop into a really nice three-year-old and could end up running in a higher grade than even this.

King Leonidas caught the eye with a convincing success over a mile at HQ on comeback. It wa just his second start and Frankie didn’t have to touch the son of Kingman to land an easy win. He can take a big step forward here.

Lord Of The Lodge was second in a Group 2 at York last term and didn’t have to break sweat when scoring at Newcastle in February. It he’s ready to go after a break he’ll be dangerous.

Celestin held his own in the hottest company at Deauville 17 days ago and comes over from France with live claims. Some rain would help his chances.

3.00

BATTLEGROUND was extremely green on debut at Naas earlier this month but still managed to create a good impression in coasting home to finish fifth of the 18 runners.

He should take a quantum leap forward from that and trainer Aidan O’Brien usually brings one of this very best juveniles for this race.

Charlie Appleby trained Pinatubo to win this 12 months ago and has every chance of following up with Modern News. Mickael Barzalona was on board when he got off the mark on debut at Newmarket.

The Belgian needed no more than hands and heels to record a pretty comfortable victory in the end. He should leave that encouraging start behind.

Mark Johnston teams up with Frankie Dettori who takes over on Golden Flame. He went from the front on debut at Haydock and saw out this seven-furlong distance very nicely when finishing a close second. There was a long way back to the third and he can put his proven stamina to good use again.

Bright Devil gives champion jockey Oisin Murphy a live chance. He went from the front on debut at Newmarket and saw off all challengers to win with a bit left in the tank. Andrew Balding continues to go well and he won’t be far away.

3.35

I’M feeling Strad all over. STRADIVARIUS can join the greats like Yeats by winning his third Ascot Gold Cup on the spin.

He may have lost that amazing unbeaten streak last season but only when dropped down below two miles at the end of a long season in the Long Distance Cup here in October.

Before that he had been his usual brilliant self including when taking this race by a cosy length. He came back to run a solid third in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket last time when 1m4f was never going to suit. Stand by for a flying dismount from Frankie.

With Kew Gardens out with a setback, place money is up for grabs and Cross Counter should be the one to chase the great stayer home.

He ran well in this 12 months ago when held up out the back but he has proven his staying power now so can be ridden more aggressively.

He was beaten just a length in the Melbourne Cup in November and he tried to give loads of weight away in Saudi Arabia last time.  He can bounce back from that.

Technician is the rising star after winning the Group 1 Royal Oak over just shy of two miles at Longchamp in October. That was a step up in trip and form so he’s a threat if getting this marathon distance.

4.10

FINEST SOUND caught the eye with a bloodless success at Haydock. The handicapper had clearly let him in lightly so a 5lb penalty should not be enough to put the brakes on. He’s another who already wants every yard of this distance.

Path Of Thunder had just three rivals to beat when last seen at Newmarket in July. But he did the job well and looks a nice prospect. If he’s fit on comeback William Buick’s mount won’t be far away.

Frankie Dettori is also in the Godolphin blue on board John Gosden hopeful Verboten. He ran down the field in the Group 1 Futurity but the fact he was there at all speaks volumes. He finished off strongly over 7f at Lingfield last time and will relish the mile.

The boys in blue have another massive chance with Dubai Mirage. He has excellent 3lb claimer Cieren Fallon in the plate which could be decisive in such a tight race. This son of Dubawi battered a field of maidens at Kempton last week and can take a step forward.

SEE OVER £1500 IN FREE BETS HERE

4.40

AL RASMAH left last year’s form behind with a solid third on handicap debut at Haydock. She relished every yard of the mile and has a fighting chance in an open race.

African Dream looks thrown in for her handicap debut after a cracking effort in a Haydock novice event on comeback. She should relish stepping up to this mile and could well win but looks a really silly price in a race where horses could improve a massive amount from their last run.

Declared Interest would have a chance if repeating the form of her Chelmsford win back on turf.

Soffika was beaten just over a length in a Group 3 last year so is clearly classy and must be on the shortlist, while Wejdan did well last season and will like this trip for top-class William Haggas.

Waliyak impressed on the AW at Wolver so should figure too. Huboor looks all over a miler after a good second at Lingfield on comeback.

ROYAL ASCOT

1.15 GLOBAL STORM (NAP)

1.50 Regal Reality

2.25 Molatham (nb)

3.00 Battleground

3.35 Stradivarius (treble)

4.10 Johan

4.40 Al Rasmah

NEWMARKET

1.00 Sunset Breeze

1.30 Yibir

2.05 Sir Titan

2.40 Ricetta

3.15 Junoesque

3.50 Al Aasy

4.25 Lyrical

5.00 Matewan

REDCAR

4.20 Secret Handsheikh

4.50 Isle Of Lismore

5.25 Sibaaq

6.00 Buccaneers Vault

6.30 Ginger Max

7.00 Tombolo

7.30 Bollin Joan

8.00 Make It Rain

8.30 Chinese Alphabet

9.00 Whiskey And Water

SEE ALL FREE BETS HERE