Royal Ascot Day 3 tips as Eldar Eldarov napped for Gold Cup success

ELDAR ELDAROV (4:20) can go the distance for Roger Varian in the Gold Cup on Day Three of Royal Ascot. The colt looked a top-class stayer in the making when chinning Zechariah in the Queen’s Vase here. The bay then didn’t handle dropping down to 1m 4f when fourth in Group 1 company at Longchamp. However, he relished returning to 1m 6f when hammering New London in the St Leger at Doncaster. The four-year-old was then beaten by fatigue rather than the two-mile trip when flopping back here. He set himself up nicely for this historic prize with a superb comeback second to Giavellotto at York. The bold-galloper should relish the demands of this 2m 4f marathon so he can join the staying elite.

ELITE STATUS (2:30) can fully live up to his name for Karl Burke in the Norfolk Stakes. The two-year-old justified significant market support by slamming Battaah on debut at Doncaster. That triumph earned him a swift promotion to Listed company in the National Stakes at Sandown. The colt duly rewarded that decision by absolutely bolting up from fellow improver World Of Darcy .

The son of Havana Grey looks a top-class sprinter in the making so he can deny some exciting foes. Sir Michaels Stoute excels at this meeting so I’m on PERFUSE (3:05) in the King George V Stakes. The three-year-old kicked off his career with an excellent second to Knockbrex at Pontefract. He made no mistake when storming to victory from Rogue Sea at Nottingham next time out. The colt defied a step up to 1m 4f on faster ground when caining Inquiring Minds at Doncaster. The son of Lope De Vega looks potentially Group-class so he can claim this red-hot handicap.

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WARM HEART (3:40) makes plenty of appeal for Aidan O’Brien in the Ribblesdale Stakes. The filly was an eye-catching second to Curvature on her comeback over a mile at Leopardstown. The bay then stayed 1m 2f well when decisively defeating Aghadowey back at the Foxrock venue. However, she really excelled herself when edging out Bluestocking in the Fillies’ Trial at Newbury. The Ballydoyle raider should be even better over 1m 4f so she can see off her old rival once again.

JUST AN HOUR (5:00) can time it to perfection for Joseph O’Brien in the Britannia Stakes. The colt looked a nice prospect when a good second to Kalikapour first time out at Dundalk. He ran well again despite not staying 1m 2f when third to San Antonio at the same venue. The bay improved again when pipping San Antonio over a mile switched to Turf at Killarney. This huge prize has been the aim ever since so this pacey type can shade a trappy handicap.

TORITO (5:35) rates the best of the Team Gosden’s squad in the Hampton Court Stakes. The colt returned with a convincing defeat of Sir Raj over a mile in a strong Nottingham maiden. The bay was then very unlucky to encounter the talented Artistic Star upped in trip at Sandown. He gained due compensation when comfortably denying Silver Sword in a warm Epsom handicap. There is plenty more to come from this strong-traveller who can bag a highly competitive Group 3.

WARRIOR BRAVE (6:10) looks lethal for skilled Ross O'Sullivan in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. The five-year-old finally came good with an impressive defeat of Coumshingaun at Listowel recently. The gelding took his form up another notch by cosily denying Master Matt up in class at Fairyhouse. The bay was staying-on strongly so he can complete a hat-trick over today’s well-run seven furlongs.

HURSTWOOD (2:50) looks regal for Peter Niven in the competitive Grantley Hall Handicap at Ripon. The gelding returned to form by comfortably despatching Giselles Izzy over course and distance. The speedster still lurks on an attractive mark so he can follow-up from a kind draw in Stall One.

Ruth Carr is hitting form so I’m picking TWELFTH KNIGHT (3:25) in the Ladies Day Handicap. The sprinter ran another stormer when narrowly denied by It Just Takes Time over track and trip. The five-year-old didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages so he can turn the tables with a better run.

The runners turn into the straight during The Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

RIEVAULX RAVER (4:45) can run wild for Team Fell & Murray in the Kirby Thomas Handicap. The gelding underlined his liking for this track when dead-heating with the useful Laser Guided. The three-year-old remains fairly-treated so he can claim outright glory in this weaker contest.

BARROLO (5:15) can keep Grant Tuer’s bandwagon rolling in the Harrogate Handicap. The grey improved markedly for the step up to a mile when easily denying Ribkana at this venue. The gelding scored with plenty in hand so he can shrug off a reasonable 3lb hike in a better event.

TOMSHALFBROTHER (2:05) can extend Robert Cowell’s superb run at Chelmsford. The seven-year-old looked as good as ever when pipping Lilkian on Turf at Yarmouth. The gelding goes well here so he can take full advantage of an inviting mark and draw.

ONE STEP BEYOND (5:05) can top the charts for thriving Gary Moore in the last. The six-year-old showed Last Hoorah no mercy on debut for the Sussex handler at Kempton. The gelding wasn’t stopping at the business end so he can cash-in on a lenient-looking mark.

CHANCER DANCER (6:00) can call the tune in the handicap hurdle at Worcester. Noel Kelly’s horse got her act together when a sterling second to Lord Caprio at Hexham. That was a decent contest so the mare can show some exposed foes a clean pair of heels.

BLUE SHARK ( 7:40 ) can cruise to the seventh win of his career for Jonjo O’Neill. The hurdler still looks ahead of the handicapper after brushing aside Chti Balko at Southwell.