ROYAL ASCOT DAY THREE TIPS: Kyprios tuned up for top prize… while Mukaddamah has plenty of promise

Sportsmail’s expert tipster Sam Turner delivers his verdict ahead of day three at Royal Ascot. 

2.30: WALBANK shaped with considerable promise on his debut at this venue behind Noble Style and enjoyed a runaway success at York last time. He tackles notable competition in unbeaten Irish colt The Antarctic, but the stiff five furlongs should suit the selection. Bakeel is respected, while Crispy Cat should outrun his odds. 

Selection: WALBANK 

Danger: CRISPY CAT

3.05: Just one winner from a single-figure draw in the last 10 years (Hukum in 2020) suggests it is fine to be drawn wide so ISRAR, a workmanlike winner of a prestigious Newbury handicap over 10f last time, may prove the answer. As long as he is in contention turning for home, he boasts the pedigree and class to launch a major challenge. Two that look attractively treated are Mandobi and Balhambar. 

Selection: ISRAR 

Danger: MANDOBI

3.40: A small field, but a tricky puzzle with preference for MUKADDAMAH based on her price. The selection shaped with plenty of promise over what appeared an inadequate 10f at Newbury but, with the winner Nashwa running well subsequently in the Oaks and runner-up Stay Alert winning since, the form looks useful. 

Selection: MUKADDAMAH

Danger: MAGICAL LAGOON

4.20: An intriguing Gold Cup with young pretender KYPRIOS bidding to establish himself as a genuine Group One stayer as Stradivarius bids to sign off with a historic fourth win in Royal Ascot’s marquee event. Kyprios was only weeks old when Stradivarius landed his first win in this race, which says plenty about the latter’s durability. However, Kyprios looked a stayer with speed at Navan and Leopardstown and may just have too much for Stradivarius. Of the outsiders, Burning Victory appeals.

Selection: KYPRIOS 

Danger: STRADIVARIUS

5.00: ATRIUM is 2-2 at this track and signalled his improvement with a smooth three-length win here from a subsequent winner last time. His come-from-behind style and ability to travel strongly stand him in good stead and he makes some appeal at a decent price. Saga looks to have had this race as a target all season, while Whoputfiftyinyou did plenty wrong at Haydock yet still won tidily and is progressing fast.

Selection: ATRIUM (nap) 

Danger: WHOPUTFIFTYINYOU

5.35: REACH FOR THE MOON faces just five rivals and he will take some beating if home reports are to be believed. Once regarded as a Derby hope, his career hasn’t gone to plan but this represents an ideal opportunity to get back on track. There may be improvement to come from Claymore now he steps up in trip and he could prove the biggest threat to the selection.

Selection: REACH FOR THE MOON 

Danger: CLAYMORE

6.10: VAFORTINO impressed when landing the Victoria Cup here on his second start for new connections. His stable has enjoyed a good run of late and his rider has returned from an absence in superb form. Chiefofchiefs, a veteran of this type of handicap, should be competitive given some fortune.

Selection: VAFORTINO 

Danger: CHIEFOFCHIEFS

Newmarket – 5.00 King Of Time (nap); 5.35 Reach For The Moon (nb).

Northerner – 2.30 Pillow Talk (nap)