Royal Ascot day 3 racing tips: Best free bets for Thursday, June 19

If Ascot's Gold Cup (1620) isn't enough to get the mouth watering, there's six other races to enjoy including two Group 2s and a Group 3.

Let's begin with a quick run through of our tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.

If you fancy a punt or two, visit Betway which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)

Thursday Royal Ascot tips:

14:30 (Ascot) Naval Light

15:05 (Ascot) Boatswain

15:40 (Ascot) Serenity Prayer

16:20 (Ascot) Illinois

17:00 (Ascot) La Botte

17:35 (Ascot) Detain

18:10 (Ascot) English Oak

14:30 (Ascot) Naval Light

Naval Light caught the eye when runner-up to a nice performer debuting at Beverley in May.

This Karl Burke-trained colt was staying on nicely through the line that day and arguably would have won if getting away on better terms.

May take a step forward in the Norfolk Stakes and is selected to come out on top for the Wathnan Racing team.

The more experienced Charles Darwin looked good winning at Naas and Navan and holds major claims representing the Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team.

Impressive American debut winner Sandal's Song commands respect having joined Wathnan since, while Wise Approach might yet have more to offer.

15:05 (Ascot) Boatswain

The King George V Stakes is a competitive handicap full of unexposed three-year-old runners.

Simon and Ed Crisford train Boatswain who looked in need of the 1m4f journey when denied by a useful performer at Leicester last time.

This opening mark may challenge however he is open to considerable improvement and could be up to the task.

Dangers include the Aidan O'Brien-trained Serious Contender and the William Haggas chance Merchant.

The former made a winning handicap debut over 1m2f at Leopardstown 81 days ago and may provide a bold bid now stretching out in trip off a 8lb higher mark, while the latter relished this distance beating a nice type at York in May and cannot be ignored up 9lb.

Masai Moon and Gunship are others to note.

15:40 (Ascot) Serenity Prayer

Not the strongest of renewals for the Ribblesdale Stakes.

Serenity Prayer stayed on well through the line to finish 5.5L behind in the G3 Musidora Stakes at York.

The winner was subsequently denied in the G1 Epsom Oaks giving form a boost and this daughter of Dubawi may return to winning ways now up in trip.

Catalina Delcarpio brings a similar profile to the main selection and commands respect following a good second-place finish in the 1m2f G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes at Navan.

Garden Of Eden won the Listed Oaks Trial Stakes last time out and is another with more to give climbing in distance. Life Is Beautiful cannot be ruled out.

16:20 (Ascot) Illinois

The retirement of Kyprios has left the door open for a new Gold Cup champion and it could be his stablemate Illinois trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Landed the G2 Queen’s Vase Stakes at this meeting before finishing runner-up in the G1 St Leger Stakes last year and could be set for this following a reappearance success in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

Trawlerman followed home the winner of this twelve months back and is an obvious leading player securing a prep-run victory in the G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

French raider Candelari remains lightly raced as a stayer and cannot be left out of the equation after his smooth win in the 1m7f G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp.

17:00 (Ascot) La Botte

The Britannia Stakes is a fierce looking handicap. Harry Eustace won this two years ago and may do so once more with La Botte.

He raced on the wing when a promising fourth behind the subsequent G1 Irish 2000 Guineas second in the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket and will relish stepping up to 1m making handicap debut.

Form of a Fifth Column success at Sandown looks solid. Respect up 7lb with first-time cheekpieces applied.

Ralph Beckett trains Consolidation who stayed on well managing to get up late over 7f at Goodwood last time out. Expected to enjoy this stiffer stamina test.

Teroomm holds sound claims having provided a winning handicap debut tackling 1m at Haydock, while Parole D'Oro also merits consideration.

17:35 (Ascot) Detain

Detain lost little in defeat when an excellent third in the 1m2 1/2f G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly eighteen days ago. May take some beating in the Hampton Court Stakes if this doesn't come too soon.

Trinity College finished a head further back in fourth on that occasion and could be right in the mix once again racing for the Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combination.

There might be more to come from High Stock who receives a nice draw in stall seven. Worth including after his neck second in the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester second time out.

The progressive Glittering Legend cannot be discounted now up in trip revisiting turf following a narrow victory in the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle.

18:10 (Ascot) English Oak

English Oak landed the Buckingham Palace Stakes off 1lb higher twelve months ago.

Not maintained the same form since. Hinted a return to best when sixth in a decent handicap at Newbury last time and could be sparked back to life by the fitting of first-time cheekpieces.

Gleneagle Bay posted an excellent effort in defeat when a head third over course and distance 40 days ago. Can remain competitive off 3lb higher.

Never So Brave did well in the G3 Jersey Stakes tackling track and trip at this meeting last year. Might get involved after an unlucky second-place finish resuming at Chester nineteen days ago.

Both Roi De France and Oliver Show hold each-way appeal.

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