Horse Racing Tips: Trawlerman bids to retain crown

Day three of Royal Ascot takes place with the biggest race of the entire week, the Gold Cup, running at 16:15. It’s a fascinating race featuring several young contenders looking to knock Trawlerman off his perch

Away from Royal Ascot there is action from Ripon, Yarmouth, Lingfield, Southwell and Leopardstown. We’ve picked out three tips for you to follow including one in the Gold Cup.

16:15 Ascot  -Trawlerman @ 3/1

TRAWLERMAN sets a very high standard in this year's Gold Cup and arrives as the defending champion after his dominant seven-length success in the race 12 months ago.
That victory formed part of a superb four-race winning streak which also included victories at Sandown, York and Ascot on Champions Day, establishing him as Europe's leading staying performer following the retirement of Kyprios.

While there have been reports of a less-than-ideal preparation this spring, his class and proven credentials at the highest level are impossible to ignore.

Unlike several of his rivals, there are no questions surrounding either the trip or his ability to perform in elite staying contests. William Buick knows him inside out and he boasts an outstanding record over staying distances.

Several of the younger contenders have plenty of potential but still have something to prove.

Scandinavia has yet to fully convince at the top level this season, while the St Leger first and second are tackling this demanding 2m4f trip for the first time, a significant test that may come relatively early in their careers. Trawlerman, by contrast, is the established benchmark.

16:25  Yarmouth - Sea Suite @ 10/3

SEA SUITE has enjoyed a productive campaign so far this season, winning twice from five starts and looking a much-improved performer for James Owen. He got off the mark at Southwell in March before producing a string of solid efforts, including when narrowly denied by just half a length over a mile at Wetherby in April.

That form has worked out well and he backed it up with another creditable fourth at Musselburgh before returning to winning ways over 7f at this track last month.

That Yarmouth success suggested he remains on an upward curve and a 3lb rise in the weights looks fair. The return to a mile should suit too. By Sea The Stars out of a mare by Exceed And Excel, he is bred to appreciate this trip and potentially further in time. Expect him to go close one again.

19:10 Lingfield - Rouge Empire @ 8/15

ROUGE EMPIRE arrives in great form and is bidding to complete a hat-trick after a pair of impressive victories over staying distances.

He opened his account with a decisive five-length success here at Lingfield in May before following up with an equally convincing win at Kempton earlier this month.

The four-year-old has shown marked improvement this season. Those recent victories have come in good style and the manner in which he has finished his races suggests there could still be more to come despite a rise in the weights.

This is a stronger race than the contests he has been winning, but nothing else in the race arrives in the form he has.