Royal Ascot 2026 reaches its third day on Thursday, with the Gold Cup taking centre stage in one of the most prestigious races in the British flat racing calendar. The staying championship is the highlight of the week for many racing fans and always attracts a high-class field.The action doesn’t stop there, with a packed card featuring several Group races alongside competitive handicaps that offer plenty of betting opportunities.From the Gold Cup to the supporting contests, here are my Royal Ascot Day 3 tips, best bets and race-by-race selections for Thursday’s card.Top Royal Ascot offersRoyal Ascot 2026 day 3 (Thursday) quick tips2.30 Sea Venture – 11/2 each way with Betfred3.05 Enceladus – 23/2 each way with SBK3.40 Earth Shot – 11/2 each way with Paddy Power 4.15 Scandinavia – 13/8 with Paddy Power NAP4.50 Moonfall – 10/1 each way with Coral5.35 Endorsement – 9/4 with bet365 NEXT BEST6.10 The Wizard Of Eye – 12/1 each way with BoyleSportsJoe’s best horse racing betting tips for Royal Ascot 2026 Day 3 (Thursday 18th June 2026)Find my top tips for Thursday 18th June 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:Royal Ascot 2.30 Chesham Stakes (Listed) 7f5 of the last 12 winners were favourites and 8 of 12 top 3 in the betting8 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before0 of the last 12 winners had a previous win at Ascot0 of the last 12 winners had a previous Group winAix La Chapelle will undoubtedly prove popular here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore as he got himself out of trouble to win on debut at the Curragh. He has improvement to come and should run well for a yard that won this two years ago with Bedtime Story.There is little value in his price though and SEA VENTURE looks a better bet for George Scott. This filly was impressive on debut winning by three lengths at Haydock and she will love this track along with the extra furlong.It is not just a two-horse race though as Time For The Moon has impressed too and will run well and Aperoll also looked above average scoring first time out at Newbury and shouldn’t be underestimated. Bet on SEA VENTURE each way at 11/2 with Betfred Royal Ascot 3.05 King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 1m4f3 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 6 of 12 top 3 in the betting9 of the last 12 winners carried 9 stone 2lb or less9 of the last 12 winners came from stall 11 or higher11 of the last 12 winners had a rating between 88 and 94Another fiercely competitive race with some nice types lining up. ENCELADUS makes plenty of appeal at the prices as he looks too big at 12/1 at the time of writing.This colt by Sea The Stars improved stretching out in trip at Cork last time and should have more to come again now tackling a mile and a half.Al Azd failed to land the hat-trick at Newbury but that was a good race and the form has already been franked. He likely has more to come and experience can count for quite a bit so he looks the danger.Heyzoom needs to prove he can stay but under Saffie Osborne is another one to note. Bet on ENCELADUS each way at 23/2 with SBK Royal Ascot 3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies’ Group 2) 1m4f2 of the last 12 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 7 of 12 top 3 in the betting5 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before11 of the last 12 winners were rated 94 or higher3 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win in a Group raceLegacy Link ran huge in the Oaks just bumping into one in the shape of Thundering On. She is feared but this is coming soon enough and she had quite a tough race so at short odds I’m happy to oppose.EARTH SHOT looks the one to side with for Wathnan Racing. She hacked up at Newmarket on reappearance and then looked a bit unlucky at Goodwood. She has more to come and could still be a lovely prospect going forward so I’m keen to keep on side here under James Doyle.Gilded Prize had excuses in France last time but had been progressive prior to that and should have a good chance as well.Composing is a big price but she did finish last at Longchamp when last seen so has a bit to prove under Ryan Moore. Bet on EARTH SHOT each way at 11/2 with Paddy Power Royal Ascot 4.15 Gold Cup (Group 1) 2m4f11 of the last 12 winners were aged between 4 and 68 of the last 12 winners have been favourites or joint favourites and 10 of 12 top 3 in the betting10 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before10 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 117 or higherTrawlerman beat Sweet William to win this last year and is respected but this looks a better renewal.SCANDINAVIA has won his last five now including the St Leger and the Goodwood Cup and is difficult to oppose. He is an exciting young stayer who is hard to pass and I expect his stamina to kick in and see him victorious once more.Rahiebb was beaten by the selection in the St Leger but ran a big race and looked good winning on reappearance in the Yorkshire Cup. He has more to come going up in trip again and looks the danger. I’d be fairly confident they finish the 1-2 here.Both Al Riffa and Caballo De Mar are likely but will probably come up a bit short in this company. Bet on SCANDINAVIA to win at 13/8 with Paddy Power Royal Ascot 4.50 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Straight) 1m1 of the last 12 winners were favourites and 4 of 12 top 3 in the betting10 of the last 12 winners carried 9 stone 3lb or less10 of the last 12 winners came from stall 11 or higher9 of the last 12 winners had a rating of between 90 and 97The Britannia is always a tough punting puzzle and it doesn’t look any easier this year! I am keen on one in the shape of MOONFALL though.This horse just got going too late at Chester beaten two lengths and he looks well handicapped off a mark of 90 here. This straight mile should be ideal and if he gets a good trip into this I’m confident he’ll go close.We’re Goosers has speed to burn but he needs to prove he can see this out. Organise was beaten by Laureate Crown at Sandown but has more to come and could reverse that form here and be the danger. Bet on MOONFALL each way at 10/1 with Coral Royal Ascot 5.35 Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 1m2f4 of the last 12 winners were favourites but 9 of 12 top 3 in the betting4 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before11 of the last 12 winners had a rating of 103 or higher9 of the last 12 winners had at least 1 win that seasonAidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won this last year with Trinity College and I’m expecting them to take it again with ENDORSEMENT.This colt won easily at Leopardstown last time and his form stacks up having bumped into Derby hero Christmas Day earlier in the season. He has more to come back down to a mile and a quarter and should justify favouritism here.Morshdi impressed at Newmarket and even though he disappointed somewhat in the Dante could bounce back and be the danger here.Italy looks the second string but is also capable of getting involved in a decent race. Bet on ENDORSEMENT to win at 9/4 with bet365 Royal Ascot 6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) 7f7 of the last 7 winners were aged 4 or older6 of the last 7 winners came from stall 24 or higher2 of the last 7 winners were favourites5 of the last 7 winners were rated between 92 and 99The way THE WIZARD OF EYE won the Victoria Cup last month was impressive and if he is in similar form here he could run another big race. This track suits him well and while this mark demands more he is tough and likeable and could prove up to it.I’m surprised he is so big in the betting and jockey Neil Callan has been in great form of late winning on 3 of his last 4 rides.Obviously lots of dangers probably headed by Blue Brother who had too much to do in the Royal Hunt Cup. He could be off a good mark here if things pan out more favourably.Dance In The Storm is another one that catches the eye and might be worth an each way saver. Bet on THE WIZARD OF EYE each way at 12/1 with BoyleSports My top tip for Royal Ascot 2026 Day 3 on ThursdayIt is all about Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore on Day 3 at Royal Ascot and I’m expecting SCANDINAVIA to extend his winning sequence and ENDORSEMENT to back up his Leopardstown win in the Hampton Court Stakes.The double pays around 8/1 which looks good value. Bet a Win Double on SCANDINAVIA and ENDORSEMENT at 8/1 with bet365 About the authorJoe NorrisI’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTOCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. 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