Royal Ascot: Five horses to follow on Day Three

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 13-2.

Ballydoyle have dominated the juvenile races so far and have another short price favourite here in Aix La Chapelle. But at the prices I'm again tempted to oppose them.

Sea Venture overcame adversity to win on debut at Haydock where she repeatedly found herself short of racing room, she eventually switched to the middle of the track from where she showed a smart turn of foot.

That win came over six furlongs and, given her stout pedigree, it would suggest she's above average. The extra furlong and stiff track she encounters here are entirely to her benefit and, in receipt of the valuable fillies allowance, she can deny Aidan O'Brien an eighth win in this race.

Tipster: RaceiQ nap of the day (Andy Stephens).

Best odds: 10-1.

Cannes was fastest to 20mph, clocked the top speed and had the best Finishing Speed percentage when impressing at Leopardstown last time.

His previous efforts have also worked out well and the data suggests his draw in stall 21 gives him an instant length and a half advantage over those drawn very low.

Joseph O'Brien has had a winner on each of the first two days and can keep the ball rolling.

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 9-2.

Roger Varian’s son of Frankel looks a shade of value at his current odds.

The progressive stayer was a model of consistency last year, only winning once, but finishing in the frame in five of his six other starts, including second on four occasions.

His best piece of form came when running Scandinavia to within a neck in the Betfred St Leger in September. In comparison, Aidan O’Brien’s charge is as short as 5-4 for the Gold Cup.

That Classic assignment came just six months after his debut and it was his first foray into Group One company on ground softer than ideal - there is every chance he can improve again this season and bridge that gap to the Ballydoyle favourite.

His reappearance effort at York again suggested he should relish this marathon trip and with last year’s winner Trawlerman still yet to race this season, Rahiebb looks a solid choice.

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

Best odds: 10-1.

If you haven’t already, I suggest you watch a reply of the Xenon Workplace Handicap that Moonfall finished fifth in on his return from a 299-day absence last time out. 

With Billy Loughnane opting to ride stablemate McMurray (sent off the well-backed 13-8 favourite), jockey bookings suggested Moonfall was the lesser fancied of the two George Boughey-trained contenders, but he produced a hugely eye-catching effort in defeat.

Held up from his wide draw under Ryan Moore, the son of Starman raced keenly before suffering traffic problems in the straight, and stayed on strongly once in the clear, despite not being given the hardest time. It was no surprise he clocked the highest Finishing Speed Percentage (according to the RaceiQ data) there, and remains on a rating of 90 following that effort.

Moonfall’s novice form from last year over inadequate trips has been working out relatively well, and his only blip was in the bet365 Superlative Stakes, where he finished last, although something may have been amiss there, given he wasn’t seen again until this year.

The fact he contested a Group Two suggests connections believe he is better than a rating of 90, though, and his latest effort also suggests he is nicely treated.

His half-sister, Soprano, who relished fast ground, landed the Sandringham Stakes in 2024 (off a rating of 100), and the selection should sneak into this contest off a low weight (Billy Loughnane may need "a few quiet days on the food", according to Boughey!), so looks an each-way play at the 10-1 on offer.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 12-1.

High drawn horses have won four of the last five runnings of this seven-furlong cavalry charge and playing strong percentages, I have only really considered horses drawn above 20 for my selection.

Mezcala has plenty going for him in stall 30 in that he is a hold-up performer who looks to be still improving judged by his two runs this season. He won the Spring Mile at Doncaster in very good style and ran really well when third at Newbury on his latest start.

I feel he showed there that he may be well suited by the drop to seven furlongs in a race like this might suit him very well. Mezcala travelled very strongly and hit the front just inside the final furlong but was headed close home. This very stiff seven-furlong test could be ideal.