Today at Royal Ascot: Scandinavia out to take Trawlerman's Gold Cup crown in day three feature clash
Scandinavia the favourite to lift Gold Cup this year at Royal Ascot, but he has to overcome a strong field including defending champion Trawlerman; watch every race from Royal Ascot live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.30pm
Thursday 18 June 2026 06:56, UK
It is all eyes on the Gold Cup on day three of Royal Ascot as defending champion Trawlerman faces a strong field of rivals, headlined by Scandinavia, all live on Sky Sports Racing.
4.15 Royal Ascot - Scandinavia, Rahiebb & Trawlerman clash
It is a mouth-watering renewal of the feature Gold Cup where Scandinavia will head the betting for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.
Ballydoyle have dominated this prize, winning it on nine occasions, and last year's St Leger champion looks to have strong claims. Such a relaxed individual, he should be suited by this stiff test and could make it six wins on the bounce.
Rahiebb rates a huge danger for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. He was just a neck behind the O'Brien runner at Doncaster and oozed class when running away with the Yorkshire Cup on his return.
Defending champion Trawlerman has guaranteed stamina but has not been seen claiming the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day in October. If fit enough, he could prove hard to pass.
Caballo De Mer and Al Riffa have each-way chances.
3.40 Royal Ascot - Juddmonte pair Legacy Link & Gilded Prize headline
Juddmonte duo Legacy Link and Gilded Prize headline a field of 12 for this super-looking Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes.
Legacy Link made a winning reappearance in the Musidora at York before chasing home the impressive Thundering On in the Oaks at Epsom. That form entitles her to go close, but she did have a hard race in Surrey.
Francis-Henri Graffard's Gilded Prize burst onto the scene with a trio of easy victories but tasted her first defeat when disappointing on soft ground at ParisLongchamp last month. On this better surface, she is taken to improve but has a little to prove.
Others to note include Eart Shot and Brilliant Star.
5.35 Royal Ascot - Endorsement & Italy popular for Ballydoyle
An excellent renewal of the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes sees Ballydoyle's Endorsement and Italy feature among a field of 10.
Endorsement brings in some solid form and returned to winning ways with an easy success at Leopardstown earlier this month. He dips back to 10 furlongs and Ryan Moore is a notable booking.
Italy has always been held in high regard and ran with credit behind Derby winner Christmas Day in the Ballysax back in April. Off since then, he is worth a watch in the market.
Craven winner Oxagon ran respectably in the Guineas before failing to land a blow in the French Derby and should appreciate these calmer waters, while Morshdi and Generic are worth a second look.
Watch every race from Royal Ascot all live on Sky Sports Racing, with Alex Hammond leading the coverage from the track from 1.30pm.
