LiveScore Racing Preview: Royal Ascot day three, June 17, 2021

It's the mid-point of Royal Ascot on Thursday and what a day to savour the action as the mighty stayer Stradivarius bids to become only the second four-time winner of the Gold Cup. 

All eyes will be on Frankie Dettori — just the way the 'King of Ascot' loves it — come the big race at 4.15pm as he attempts to bring John & Thady Gosden's star home once more. 

It's another formidable Royal Ascot card, with some tough handicaps after the Gold Cup, and we've selected five horses worth following. 

2.30pm - Norfolk Stakes (Group 2, 5f)

The Norfolk Stakes has been good to Aidan O'Brien lately, with two wins since 2015, and the Ballydoyle supremo saddles likely-looking CADAMOSTO here under Ryan Moore. 

A precociously bred son of No Nay Never, he lived up to market billing in his debut at Dundalk on the Polytrack in April, showing lots of early dash and a good turn of foot late on for a decisive win from a subsequent scorer. 

He should build on that now. Wesley Ward also has a fine record in this Group 2 and his pair — Nakatomi and Lucci — join Instinctive Move (Clive Cox) and C&D winner Go Bears Go (David Loughnane) amongst the lurking dangers.

LiveScore Selection: Cadamosto

3.05pm - Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f)

Having been forced to abandon plans to run in the Epsom Derby at the last minute after the ground went against him, MOHAAFETH will instead go in search of a fourth straight win this season in the Hampton Court Stakes. 

William Haggas' team are positively flying right now — 38 per cent strike-rate lately — and the trainer should get areward for his conservative call at Epsom earlier this month. 

This son of Frankel disdainfully brushed aside his rivals in a Newmarket Listed race last month (the re-opposing Secret Protector five-lengths back in second) and can take the next step up the ladder now. 

Movin Time is an improving rival with something to offer, while One Ruler should give a good account despite conceding 4lb to the field. 

LiveScore Selection: Mohaafeth

4.15pm - Gold Cup (Group 1, 2m4f)

Clearly, Stradivarius' quest for a fourth Gold Cup is the key narrative on day three of Royal Ascot. 

He won well over 2m here on his comeback and his easy win on soft ground at this meeting last June was quite some performance but there are more dangers lurking on Thursday amongst the biggest field he's ever faced in this race. 

It would be magical to see Frankie Dettori bring him home in front — and he may well do — but there are alternatives for those seeking value on the places. 

Spanish Mission and Trueshan are two, but 2020 Melbourne Cup hero TWILIGHT PAYMENT could run a big race in the hands of Tom Marquand for trainer Joseph O'Brien. 

He's run two good races in Ireland this season and his Flemington win in November surely bodes well for this marathon trip. He might give Stradivarius and Frankie cause for concern. 

LiveScore Selection: Twilight Payment

5.35pm - King George V Stakes (Handicap, 1m4f)

The last three races on the card are exceedingly tough handicaps. That said, unbeaten LORD PROTECTOR should go well in the King George V for Ralph Beckett and Rob Hornby. 

A Kempton winner in November over a mile, he's added a Wetherby novice (good) and Salisbury handicap (soft) this season over 1m2f, beating Sir Michael Stoute's Wahraan into second on both occasions. 

He gave that rival significant weight last time but was still strong enough in front to repel his challenge. 

Up a further 6lb in this stronger race now, the increased trip should be favourable and he looks set to run well again. 

LiveScore Selection: Lord Protector

6.10pm - Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap, 7f)

Dance Fever could have a major say in the finale, though it's a concern for Clive Cox's four-year-old that this will be his first start since July. 

In-form Boardman and Aldaary are big players along with Haydock winner Persuasion but DANYAH just about edges the verdict. 

Owen Burrows' Invincible Spirit gelding was perhaps too keen in the Lincoln at Doncaster on his return — finishing fourth — but he built on that with a close second afterwards in Newbury's Spring Cup behind Nugget. 

That form is reliable and a 3lb rise in the ratings looks fair. He now drops back to 7f and a strongly-run race over that distance here could be optimal. 

It certainly shouldn't be a shock if he's in the picture in the very competitive day three finale.

LiveScore Selection: Danyah