Royal Ascot: Dave Nevison's horse racing tips for day three

It’s a long time since Assessor, which is the only really good stayer I can associate with the Hannon family, was racing, but I am hopeful they may have another serious contender for the top staying races here.

Mojo Star has only actually won a four-runner maiden in his career, but he hasn’t always enjoyed great luck in running and has produced some fantastic efforts in defeat.

I am taking the view that his second in the Cazoo Derby last season might represent the best form on offer here, despite Stradivarius being in opposition, and he was staying on well when second in the St Leger last season.

He does need to prove he stays this marathon trip, but the guard has to change eventually in this division, and this doesn’t look the strongest renewal of the Gold Cup, in my opinion.

The best contenders in this race may be drawn near to each other on the stands’ side, and Clive Cox’s charge might have to get past a wall of blue to score.

He definitely has a chance here, though, as he is unbeaten in four starts and he came from a long way back to defeat Mighty Ulysses at Haydock when last seen.

That rival was beaten less than a length in the St James’ Palace Stakes on Tuesday, so the form is undoubtedly strong, and the handicapper raised Whoputfiftyinyou by 10lb for his Haydock success. However, it would probably have been more if he was re-assessed now, given how close Mighty Ulysses went in the Group One contest on Tuesday.

The selection clearly enjoys having a strong pace to aim at, which looks assured here, Adam Kirby is on board for the first time, which is no negative.

Montassib, who is unbeaten in three runs, has the look of a handicap blot here. The handicapper has had a tough time with this four-year-old as he gave him a rating of 87 after he won his second start, a four-runner event at Wetherby, in a canter and he won very easily again on his handicap debut at Goodwood last time out, despite getting a rough passage through.

Even though he has been raised 10lb since, I am convinced he is a Group horse in the making and should not have a rating below 100.

He is drawn in stall one here, which might have been a potential worry, but what pace there is seems to be gathered in the middle of the field, so it looks as though Montassib will be able to latch on to the pack up the centre of the course and hopefully weave through them to score.

I will be having a saver on Vafortino who did this column a favour in the Victoria Cup when last seen, and I believe he may be on his way to becoming a Group Three performer.