Everything you need to know about day three of Royal Ascot on Thursday

Big races

The undoubted highlight on day three of Royal Ascot comes in the form of the meeting's highlight race, the Gold Cup (4.15).

Multiple winners of the 2m4f Group 1 are not uncommon, although Yeats created history by winning the marathon contest a record four times in a row between 2006-2009.

All eyes will be on Stradivarius as he attempts to emulate the Ballydoyle record-breaker this year.

Elsewhere on the card, the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40) showcases some of the best three-year-old fillies around. John Gosden has made the race his own in recent years, winning three of the past four runnings including for the last two years.

The Norfolk Stakes (2.30) – a Group 2 5f sprint for two-year-olds – should get the card of to a flyer and feature a two-strong attack from American trainer Wesley Ward, who saddles likely favourite Lucci and Nakatomi.

Big horses

Stradivarius is the obvious star attraction on day three. The John and Thady Gosden-trained seven-year-old boasts a sensational Royal Ascot record having won the Queen's Vase in 2017 before his three successive Gold Cup triumphs.

Despite some rumblings of retirement following three runs without a win last Autumn, Stradivarius bounced back to his best with a perfect prep run at the Berkshire track when winning the Sagaro Stakes last time out and is well fancied to emulate the great Yeats.

Frankie Dettori celebrates after Stradivarius won the Gold Cup at Ascot for the third time last JuneCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Mark Johnston-trained Subjectivist offers an interesting angle in after impressive back-to-back wins at Longchamp and Meydan respectively, although his two previous trips to Ascot have yielded little reward.

Last year's Queen's Vase winner Santiago will attempt to continue his perfect Royal Ascot record, while last year's ruwaway Derby winner Serpentine steps dramatically up in trip for the first time.

Trueshan, who lowered the colours of Stradivarius at the track in the Long Distance Cup last October, and Group 1 winner Princess Zoe also provide extra spice to a top-class race.

Mohaafeth will be out to prove that William Haggas made the right judgement call for his Derby absence in the 1m2f Hampton Court Stakes ).

The son of Frankel was deemed not to have a chance of winning in at Epsom due to the ground and was a last-minute withdrawal by the Newmarket trainer from the Classic.

Haggas, who won the race in 2008 with Collection, will be hoping that the decision to look after the horse will pay dividends.

Will Noon Star confirm the form of Oaks winner Snowfall?

Noon Star, trained by Royal Ascot's winning-most trainer Sir Michael Stoute, will be aiming to go one better than her 2nd in the Musidora Stakes last time out.

The Juddmonte-owned filly finished only three and three quarter lengths behind Snowfall at York, who went on to win the Oaks in emphatic style by 16 lengths.

Noon Star currently leads the market in the Ribblesdale Stakes, a race Stoute has won on three occasions, ahead of Divinely, who finished a distant third behind Snowfall in the Epsom Classic.

Can Noon Star confirm the form of Oaks winner Snowfall and given Sir Michael Stoute a fourth win in the Ribblesdale Stakes?Credit: Pool (Getty Images)

Stay ahead of the field with the Racing Post

The Racing Post has you covered every day of Royal Ascot. From the morning, with a bumper Racing Post newspaper available to purchase from all good newsagents, throughout the afternoon, with host Dave Orton, Bruce Millington and the might of the racing world guiding you through the action on Racing Post Live, through to the evening, with leading Racing Post tipsters Tom Segal and Paul Kealy joining Ross Brierley on our live show, In The Know (7-8pm, Monday to Friday).

You can download the following day's Racing Post from 9pm the night before. Subscribe to Members' Club Ultimate for unlimited access to the Racing Post newspaper, online and via the app, saving more than £100 a month on the cover price. Find out more here.

You can also keep up-to-date with the latest news, previews, reports and tips on racingpost.com and on the Racing Post mobile app every day during what promises to be an awesome Royal Ascot.

Thursday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Friday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange
7-8pm: In The Know in association with Coral

Plus What A Shout and the Racing Postcast

Saturday
2-6.20pm: Racing Post Live with the Betfair Exchange

All live shows are available to watch via YouTube and Facebook, with the Postcasts available via the usual podcast platforms

Read more on Royal Ascot 2021:

Royal Ascot tips: Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and Tom Collins share their best bets

The Punting Club Royal Ascot special: 'She's my best – and only – bet in a two-year-old race'

Confirmed runners and riders for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot

Check out the Racing Post Royal Ascot microsite for the latest tips and odds for the royal meeting. The best Royal Ascot betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.