Royal Ascot as it happened: Ombudsman dominates in Prince of Wales's - Joseph O'Brien and Billy Loughnane end day with 33-1 winner

Ombudsman: the star of the showCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Right, that's all for today.

Thanks very much for joining - from Blue Bolt to Ombudsman, it's been great fun and hopefully more of the same awaits tomorrow.

Remember to check out our comprehensive Raceday Intel package and the best tipping insight before we return for day three. And you can read all of the fallout and reaction from today at racingpost.com or on our app.

Whether you're watching the match at home or in the pub tonight we've also got you covered - our experts will be bringing live updates throughout the evening here.

I'm off for a pint. Cya!

Anthony Gordon: starts against CroatiaCredit: Getty Images

Before I head off, I'll leave you with a bit of England team news - Anthony Gordon has got the nod ahead of Marcus Rashford, with Noni Madueke starting on the right.

England: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Gordon, Bellingham, Madueke; Kane.

You can read our match preview and find out our best bets and predictions here.

Harry Kane looks overpriced to score in England's clash with CroatiaCredit: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

One of the Racing Post's top football minds, Dan Childs, has put together a 6-1 bet builder for tonight's game. 

Just 90 minutes until England kick-off against Croatia - still time for you to get 60-1 about them to avoid defeat in Dallas, Texas. Yeeeehawwww!

Tom Segal has got seven day three tips for us including a household name in the Gold Cup - but maybe not the one you'd expect. Find out his Thursday fancies here.

Well here you can see him in full flow . . .

Find out the day three thoughts of Ross Brierley, Keith Melrose and Paul Kealy on tonight's instalment of In The Know.

42,315 made their way through the gates today - up 1.8 per cent on last year's 41,571.

Despite being a long-suffering Spurs fan, Mark Langdon is a top judge when it comes to all things association soccer.

His World Cup bet of the day has landed in six of the last eight days - find out his top tip for today's footy here.

Ombudsman: performance of the dayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

It's been a brilliant first two days at Royal Ascot but the standout showing so far has surely come from Ombudsman, who was jaw-droppingly good today. 

It was the type of performance which reminds you why you love sport in the first place.

But what next for the Gosdens' superstar? 

The Ante-Postman, Robbie Wilders, is a superstar in his own right and he has looked at what Ombudsman's season could look like from here.

Kia Joorabchian: spent more than £100 million on bloodstock since 2024Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

By Peter Scargill

Kia Joorabchian, who is well represented at Royal Ascot this week with runners for his Amo Racing entity, has borrowed a further £15 million from a US private equity giant.

You can read the full story here. 

DJ speaks to bookmaker Ray Mulvaney in the Royal Ascot ring - doesn't seem best pleased, does he?

We're just a couple of hours away from the Three Lions opening up their Fifa World Cup campaign.

Our team have put together a bumper match preview for England's clash with Croatia, which kicks off at 9pm UK time, featuring match details, betting tips, predictions and TV info.

England are 8-11 to win tonight and skipper Harry Kane is 13-10 with bet365 to score anytime.

By Scott Burton at Royal Ascot

With temperatures set to creep further into the mid-twenties for Gold Cup day and after quick ground times all through Wednesday's card, Ascot will water again ahead of day three of the royal meeting. 

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "It's been good to firm ground and the times have indicated that, so we will be putting on five millimetres tonight. I think temperatures do go up tomorrow and we're looking at 26 degrees. 

"On the round course the rail that has been in place from about nine furlongs out to the home bend and which pushed them out about four yards will be removed, and the track will be at its widest configuration all the way round. It will be fresh ground on the inner from about nine furlongs out. "

After that 33-1 winner Joseph O'Brien said: "This is the toughest place in the world to come and we've been coming here for a good few years and leaving with our tail between our legs. 

"We thought we had a good squad coming here and they were in good shape. To see that translate into winners this week is really special."

Toughest place in the world? He's making it look easy.

After securing another huge win on Bow Echo yesterday that's Billy Loughnane's second of the week and a third for Joseph O'Brien.

King Of Cloughan (yellow cap, right) wins the Windsor CastleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Loughnane said: "Joseph is a genius. He’s having so many winners this week and he’s just prepping these horses so well. He made my job very easy today.

"A winner on both days doesn’t get any better. I’m very fortunate to be in the position to be picking up spare rides like this, and very grateful."

Paul Kealy fired in a 28-1 winner today and has a magnificent seven tips up his sleeve for Thursday's racing - find out who he fancies here.

England head into the 2026 World Cup among the favourites to lift the trophy, and bookmakers are celebrating with a host of enhanced odds and exclusive sign-up offers for new customers.

Whether you're backing Harry Kane to score, expecting England to avoid defeat, or simply looking to make the most of the tournament's biggest promotions, we've rounded up the best World Cup offers available ahead of the Three Lions' opening fixture against Croatia on Wednesday.

View here.

O'Brien's brilliant week continues, King Of Cloughan a 33-1 winner with that lad Billy Loughnane doing the steering. Not been a bad few days for the two of them so far!

Sale Shark shipped Oisin Murphy on the way to the start so there's another hold up here, but they're loading now.

Portugal are beating DR Congo 1-0 thanks to an early Joao Neves header for anyone who's interested.