Kevin Stott’s William Hill Blog: Could be Thundering home on Day Three of Royal Ascot

Not a bad start to Royal Ascot with my rides running well on Day One, including a nice third from Bucanero Fuerte in the Coventry. Hoping for a bit of luck now for the rest of the week and to get a winner (or two!) on the board.

Thursday, Ascot

First up on Thursday is Thunder Blue in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm) over five furlongs. He’s a lovely horse who’s debut at Haydock was really exceptional. He was a real eyecatcher and followed that run up with a three-and-a-half length win at Goodwood. Those two races were six furlongs and this is a stiff five and a red-hot race, so he will have to step up a bit.

I think, though, that his odds of 25/1 are ridiculous and he can outrun those. Whether he’s good enough to win or not, we’ll find out, but he should do himself plenty of credit here.

Next is Maman Joon in the Ribblesdale (3.40pm) over a mile and a half. She’s only had two starts, but was fourth in the Oaks which was pretty promising. The quicker ground on that day, compared with the softer ground on her debut at Newbury, definitely helped her so the conditions at Ascot should be ideal. She will have to step up again, but I’d expect a solid race from her.

It’s a very competitive card, but the track should suit her better than Epsom did as it’s less undulating. She is drawn fairly wide, which isn’t really ideal over a mile and half but, if we can get a nice position and a bit of cover, she should be able to do her best.

Then there’s Forca Timao in the Britannia (5.00pm) over a mile. Dropping back in trip from 10 furlongs last time will help him improve from his last run, where he had the make the running, which didn’t suit him too well. He did run nicely, but just got a bit tired when meeting rising ground in the final stages.

He is a competitive horse, who’s gone well in two handicaps this season – especially at Newbury back in May when he was fifth of 14. He’s drawn in the middle here, which gives us some choice of where to go and get a good lead.

Fourth of the day is Tony Montana in the Group 3 Hampton Court (5.35pm) over 1m2f. He’s got a good draw in Stall Two and, although he’s only raced twice and is yet to win, he has shown plenty of promise and can progress.

When he was third at Newbury last month, he looked like he was set to win, before tiring in the final furlong. We can forgive him that, because he had been off for a long time. He’ll now build on that run and will be better for it.

Despite being 33/1, we don’t think he’s that far behind the other two Gosden-trained horses (Epictetus and Torito), so he should be outrunning those odds.

Finally on Thursday is Baradar in the Buckingham Palace (6.10pm) over seven furlongs. He’s drawn in 10, which forces us over to the far side, but he’s been in really good form this season from his two runs. Nothing really went right for him last time here in the Victoria Cup, but he still managed to finish sixth of 22 runners and he could do better today.

His best form is on softer ground but, having said that, he’s been working very nicely on the grass at home on similar going. He should be ultra-competitive here and win is on the cards for him very soon. He’s got a solid chance, and I hope his winning moment comes here.