Four horses who should thrive now Ascot has missed the worst of the rain

Ascot has dodged all but the most minor showers overnight and the 2.4mm of rain that has fallen has done no more than replace the moisture that came out of the ground on Wednesday.

Here are four horses whose connections will be thanking the heavens that the storms didn't come and who should thrive on day three's good to firm going.

MohaafethHampton Court Stakes (3.05)

If William Haggas and the family of the late Hamdan Al Maktoum were prepared to pass on the Cazoo Derby with Mohaafeth when the rain arrived, then it would surely have been touch and go whether they let him take his chance in the Hampton Court, if the ground had turned soft, albeit the 1m2f at Ascot would have been less of a stamina test.

The fact remains he was deemed second only to Bolshoi Ballet in the betting for the Derby on the evidence of an effortless fast ground success at Newmarket on Guineas weekend, and this Group 3 challenge may not require nearly as much of a step forward in form.

His two turf wins this season have been on going officially described as good and good to firm, while a draw in stall three means Jim Crowley can take the shortest way round.

Who is Frankie Dettori riding on day three at Royal Ascot on Thursday?

Gold Cup (4.15)

The modest way Joseph O'Brien conducts himself means his pre-race comments will always be measured, but there was no disguising his preference for Ascot to miss the worst of the rain as he applied the finishing touches to Twilight Payment's preparations for the Gold Cup.

His front-running Melbourne Cup win – a fast run affair by modern standards – came on Australian good ground, which will have been pretty rapid by European standards.

Twilight Payment: has a good chance of seeing out the extra half mileCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

And while yielding conditions won't be the only explanation for two defeats this spring, today's set-up gives him the best chance of preserving his class and seeing out the extra half mile.

Of course the history seeking Stradivarius will also enjoy top-of-the-ground, but at an each-way price, good to firm going suits Twilight Payment better than a number of rivals with place prospects.

ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each race on ITV on day three

Norfolk Stakes (2.30)

Cadamosto sits slightly uneasily atop the market for the Norfolk, but the absence of rain means he has the potential to shorten significantly.

Cadamosto only has an all-weather win at Dundalk by way of publicly advertising his wares but don't let that fool you – Aidan O'Brien has kept him off turf specifically because he believes the son of No Nay Never wants quick ground.

Now the British summer has delivered what the Irish spring could not, we will get the chance to witness what those lucky enough to see work mornings at Ballydoyle see.

'It seems we've been pretty lucky' – Ascot going remains good to firm

Britannia Stakes (5.00)

Keith Dalgleish sends Summa Peto down from his Lanarkshire base for the Britannia over the straight mile.

Bought as a yearling in Kentucky and with an all-American pedigree, the son of Dialed In relished the good to firm ground at Ayr when skipping six and a half lengths clear of his rivals in April.

The Racing Post analysis that day pointed out that "he bends his knee, suggesting fast ground is a necessity".

Summa Peto backed that performance up with a Class 3 success on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and he is still only 11lb higher than his initial handicap rating, given prior to those two victories.

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Thursday's Royal Ascot previews:

2.30 Royal Ascot: 'Course form is the best form' – find out which trainer is feeling bullish

3.05 Royal Ascot: Mohaafeth bidding for redemption for William Haggas after late Derby withdrawal

3.40 Royal Ascot: Noon Star out to be best of the rest as classy fillies clash in Ribblesdale

4.20 Royal Ascot: 'We could have done without it' – rain the worry as Stradivarius chases history

4.20 Royal Ascot: what does it take to beat Gold Cup favourite Stradivarius? (Members' Club)

5.00 Royal Ascot: 'He's on a big upward curve' – key quotes before the Britannia Stakes

5.35 Royal Ascot: can favourite Sir Lamorak advertise his Classic potential in open handicap?

6.10 Royal Ascot: 'Any rain should help his cause' – the trainer who hopes the storms arrive