2023 Royal Ascot: Selections for Thursday

Day 3 of Royal Ascot on Thursday includes the meet centerpiece, the 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup (G1), but we start the Group action off with a pair of races which feature a couple of short-priced favorites.

Race 1 (9:30 a.m. ET) -- Norfolk (G2), WAYI for Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1)

As much as I'd like to take a stand against #4 Elite Status (3-2), he enters with few notable negatives other than he's facing a contentious field in this five-furlong dash. The son of Havana Grey has looked outstanding in two starts to date, winning with ease first out over soft ground at Doncaster and then handling a quicker surface just fine in taking the National S. at Sandown by open lengths. He's shown a terrific turn of foot to separate himself from the competition both times, and I'd be surprised if he didn't show it again in the final furlong or two here.

Trainer Richard Fahey has won this race the past two years with Perfect Power (14-1) and The Ridler (50-1), both of whom I endorsed in this space. He's got another precocious sort in #7 Malc (20-1), who won on debut at Carlisle last month in comfortable enough fashion to suggest he can contend with a mild step forward. Unlike Fahey's last two winners, however, Malc enters the Norfolk off of one start rather than two, and I'm not as bearish on the favorite this time as I was the past two years. I'll kick myself if Fahey registers another upset without my backing, but this one appeared as if he was still a slight work in progress, and additional experience might count in this renewal.

#14 Thunder Blue (15-1) encountered traffic in running first out at Haydock and had to settle for second, but put it all together 11 days ago at Goodwood in fine style. From the first crop of three-time Royal Ascot winner Thunder Blue, he looks promising.

#9 Noche Magica (10-1) had an eye-catching debut at Cork in early April, and looked like a winner of the Marble Hill (G3) at the Curragh last out until the final yards. The form of the latter didn't quite hold up in the Coventry (G2) on Tuesday with Marble Hill winner Givemethebeatboys finishing only a close fourth. #1 American Rascal (3-1), out of two-time Royal Ascot winner Lady Aurelia, waltzed in his debut at Keeneland for Wesley Ward. That was over the dirt, though, and on paper this looks a potentially above average renewal of the Norfolk. I'll fade the U.S. invader at a short price.

Race 3 (10:40 a.m. ET) -- Ribblesdale (G2)

#18 Village Voice (20-1) has yet to run over ground listed anything quicker than soft, but one positive from that is that her stamina has already been strongly tested, even if she officially hasn't gone further than 1 1/4 miles. A debut winner at Thurles against males and a troubled third against a mixed group of fillies and colts in the Eyrefield (G3) in her juvenile finale, Village Voice proved adept on heavy ground in her season debut, taking the Salsabil S. at Navan in late April. Perhaps will find a drier surface to her liking, too, and might not need to improve a whole lot to be competitive here at a price.

#1 Al Asifah (4-5) couldn't have looked any better in her first two starts this spring, and Gosden pere et fils showed little hesitation in supplementing her for this race. Frankly, there is more chaff than wheat in this big field, and if she's as good as advertised she could air here at a short price. However, this will be her third start in four weeks and she's not necessarily guaranteed to stay 12 furlongs as well as 10. Visually, she looks very smart, but is no bargain here.

Before Al Asifah's recent emergence, I thought #2 Bluestocking (6-1) would be the likely filly to beat here following a solid comeback effort at Newbury in which she missed by a head to #19 Warm Heart (12-1), who had the benefit of a couple preps. She might still be, and she has the pedigree to stay, but we'll have to see what kind of bargain she actually is on the board with Frankie Dettori taking the reins.

I'll put in a word on a couple others. #12 Midnight Mile (15-1) successfully overcame traffic to win the Oh So Sharp (G3) in October before back-to-back fourths in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) and Musidora (G3). She could come on from the latter, her season opener, though she's possibly a slight cut below the main players here. The maiden #11 Maman Joon (20-1) ran a lot better than she had a right to when 10 lengths fourth behind Soul Sister in the Epsom Oaks (G1) in her second lifetime start. Further progress possible.

Race 4 (11:20 a.m. ET) -- Gold Cup (G1)

Favorites have won eight of the past 12 editions of this race, and #3 Coltrane (5-2) looks a fairly solid one, too, in my estimation. The good news is that he figures to be a higher price than some of the successful ones of late. Coltrane's form over the past year has been very strong, save a fourth in the Goodwood Cup (G1) over a tricky course and a lopsided runner-up placing behind a lone speed in the Lonsdale Cup (G2). Proven over this distance in the Ascot H. at the Royal meeting last year, he looked better than ever when easily taking the Sagaro (G3) in early May. Entering at the peak of his powers and the conditions underfoot are likely to suit.

#12 Eldar Eldarov (3-1) is also looking for his second straight Royal meet victory, having taken the 1 3/4-mile Queen's Vase (G2) in the final jump a year ago. He followed up later with a win in the St Leger (G1) and then fared poorly in the British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2), but got a good prep in when a closing second in the Yorkshire Cup (G2) last month.

The Gosdens throw #11 Courage Mon Ami (8-1) to the wolves after he stayed unbeaten from three starts by stylishly winning a 1 3/4-mile Class 2 handicap at Goodwood last month. This race might be ripe for a relatively unexposed type to jump up and earn a share or more, though price likely to be deflated with Frankie in the saddle.

Not sure what to make of 2021 winner #6 Subjectivist (10-1), who didn't start again until this past February. Figures to race prominently, but not sure this is the same horse that looked to have the staying division at his mercy before he was sidelined a couple seasons ago.

Race 6 (12:35 p.m. ET) -- Hampton Court (G3)

#14 Torito (6-1) took a noticeable step forward last time in a Class 2 handicap on the Epsom Derby undercard, handling the undulating ground like a pro and drawing away in the manner of a potential Group-quality horse. You could say he's just starting to live up to familial expectations; he's by Kingman and out of the French St Leger (G1)-winning mare Montare, who has already reared the quality fillies Journey, Mimikyu, and Indigo Girl. More likely to come.

#4 Bolster (10-1) returns 10 days after outclassing a modest novice field at Windsor by more than six lengths over this distance, improving his record to 2-for-2 after a career-opening win last October at Leicester. One of three horses in the field carrying Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's noted yellow jacket with black spots, he appears to have some quality to him and perhaps can sneak into the frame at a nice price.

#2 Drumroll (9-2) is a logical contender off his three runs this year for the Coolmore team. Second best in the Tetrarch S. two back to Paddington, who won Tuesday's St James's Palace (G1) convincingly, and last time he was elevated to first after being interfered with in the stretch of the Gallinule (G3). Despite the form lines, he doesn't stand out at what is likely a modest price.

#15 Waipiro (15-1) had the burden of being my selection for the Derby earlier this month when finishing sixth after a slow start. More or less failed to stay that trip, but 10 furlongs should suit him better.