Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Royal Ascot 2026 Day 3 Best Bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck is back with his best bets on the third day of Royal Ascot.
Thursday, Royal Ascot
NOLA SOUL can go well in the opening Chesham Stakes (2.30) on Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot. A stoutly bred son of Justify, he is likely to be well suited by slick conditions and made quite an impression with his finishing effort on his debut at Leopardstown. Connections had a smart colt run well in this last year, and they look to have the right sort of ammunition this time.
JOULANY makes some appeal in the King George V handicap (3.05). Although still a maiden, he has some very smart form, with his effort behind Maltese Cross looking all the better now. He bumped into a good one at Chester last time, simultaneously protecting his handicap mark, since when he has been gelded.
GILDED PRIZE gets the narrow vote in the battle of the Juddmonte fillies in the Ribblesdale (3.40). She disappointed in the Saint-Alary, but that’s excused easily enough on account of soft ground and no cover. Prior to that, Francis Graffard was thinking of her in terms of his best Oaks/Diane filly, and identified plenty of speed in her pedigree, suggesting this faster surface ought to suit much better. With Legacy Link being asked to back up fast off the Oaks, it may pay to side with the French raider.
TRAWLERMAN can produce a heroic comeback in the Gold Cup (4.15). His eyesight issues have now been well documented, and it is suboptimal that he hasn’t had a prep run. That said, it is easy to forget just how dominant he became in this sphere last year, when knocking out the fastest Gold Cup winning time since 1988. All that after being the only animal to really serve it up to Kyprios during his own dominance.
MOONFALL is the pick in the Britannia (4.50). He ran a lovely race on his comeback at Chester, poorly drawn and without a clear passage. Conversely, he might just have the best of the draw here, should enjoy this track, and gets Zac Lloyd, who has really looked the part in his short spell in the UK to date.
GLACIUS is a big price pick in the Hampton Court (5.35). It’s risky, as he lacks a race-fitness edge, but his form from last year is looking rock solid, he’ll love the ground and should really come forward for another couple of furlongs. Billy Loughnane is booked.
ARCTIC DAWN is a sporting choice in the Buckingham Palace (6.10). He’s returned a completely different horse since his break and looks to be relishing racing. He bolted up at Doncaster the other day, and a nine-pound rise may not be enough to stop him.
