'Take on Charles Darwin with this big eyecatcher' - Andrew Dietz answers the big questions for day three at Royal Ascot

What's the big story?

No doubt about it, the Gold Cup (4.20) is the biggest show in town all week. With two-time winner and all-time staying great Kyprios retired, Illinois has huge shoes to fill but he looked the heir apparent on his Chester comeback, having won the Queen's Vase and finished second in the St Leger last year.

Illinois could prove the next off the Aidan O'Brien production line as the trainer bids to take his Gold Cup wins into double figures, but dangers abound.

Trawlerman went down by just a length to Kyprios last year and sets the standard four-year-olds Illinois and Candelari have to reach. Candelari has done a lot in a short space of time having won four of his five starts since his debut in December, most recently the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

What else is there to get excited about?

Put simply, Charles Darwin in the Norfolk (2.30). One of the shortest-priced runners of the meeting, the Ballydoyle colt has won his last two starts in great style to bounce back from a surprise defeat on his debut.

Charles Darwin, a brother to Prix Morny and Middle Park winner Blackbeard, looked to have the requisite speed for the minimum trip when winning at Naas last time and his price has continued to contract.

So, is Charles Darwin the day-three banker?

I'm not so sure. The Norfolk has been a graveyard for favourites, with the last to win way back in 2008, and the O'Brien-trained Whistlejacket was turned over last year at 10-11.

I'll be with Naval Light who ran on eyecatchingly to finish a close second having completely blown the start in Beverley's Two Year Old Trophy, a race the selection's trainer Karl Burke won with subsequent Norfolk winner Shareholder last year.

Naval Light14:30 Ascot

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Jky: James Doyle Tnr: K R Burke

Any fancies for the handicaps?

Never So Brave did everything but win on his stable debut for Andrew Balding at Chester last time against the bang in-form Myal, who is in opposition again, and he looks the standout for the Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.10).