Punters fancy up and coming stayer Kyprios to take a first Gold Cup crown from dethroned king Stradivarius.
Betfred's 13-8 favourite, trained by Aidan O'Brien, has matured into a classy performer this season with wins at Navan and Leopardstown.
On both occasions he has won going away, giving his supporters optimism for the 2m 4f Ascot trip, which Stradavarius thrives on.
Frankie Dettori's mount has ruled on three occasions in the feature race of the week, but was only fourth when he aimed to add to his haul 12 months ago.
Conditions are to his liking for one final bid, while Trueshan, who holds him on last year's form, would prefer the sun to make way for some rain.
Dettori, who takes the ride on the Queen's Reach For The Moon in the Hampton Court Stakes (5.35), will be hoping his luck will change at one of his best tracks.
On Wednesday, Lord North was left in the stalls when his blindfold became stuck – and the pair lost all chance of winning the £600,000 first prize in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Runners and race-by-race tips for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot 2022
2.30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
1 Bakeel
2 Brave Nation
3 Crispy Cat
4 Jungle Fever
5 My First Rodeo
6 Redemption Time
7 The Antarctic
8 The Ridler
9 Thunder Moor
10 Walbank
11 Pillow Talk
TIP: WALBANK had too many gears for his York rivals and is an exciting prospect for David Loughnane's stable. The Kodiac colt is fancied to take the next step up from the filly Pillow Talk, whose trainer Karl Burke is assembling a good team of juveniles this season.
3.05 – King George V Stakes
1 Berkshire Rebel
2 Yashin
3 Israr
4 Mandobi
5 Secret State
6 Schmilsson
7 Mr Alan
8 Franz Strauss
9 Flying Dolphin
10 Surrey Mist
11 Savvy Knight
12 Newfoundland
13 Achnamara
14 Post Impressionist
15 Deauville Legend
16 Inverness
17 Balhambar
18 Vina Sena
19 Teumessias Fox
TIP: FLYING DOLPHIN is an each-way hope in an open renewal. He represents shrewd connections and trialled the headgear he wears in his maiden win. On debut he finished close to Boundless Ocean, who subsequently placed at Listed level and that reads well in the context of this race.
3.40 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
1 History
2 Life Of Dreams
3 Magical Lagoon
4 Mukaddamah
5 Mystic Wells
6 Sea Silk Road
TIP: MAGICAL LAGOON is the type to go forward this year and she took a step in the right direction at Navan on seasonal debut. That looks a solid piece of form and the extra yardage should be appreciated by this daughter of Galileo.
4.20 – Gold Cup (Group 1)
1 Alignak
2 Earlofthecotswolds
3 Stradivarius
4 Trueshan
5 Kyprios
6 Mojo Star
7 Tashkhan
8 Bubble Smart
9 Burning Victory
10 Princess Zoe
TIP: Aidan O'Brien knows exactly what it takes to find an ideal Gold Cup hope and that fills KYPRIOS' backers with confidence. His pedigree indicates the lengthy trip will be right up his street and he has scored with plenty to spare this term at 1m 6f. Burning Victory, well clear with smart stayer Buzz in the 2021 Cesarewitch, is one to note for each-way backers.
5.00 – Britannia Stakes
1 Power Of Beauty
2 Mr McCann
3 Great Max
4 Malex
5 I'm A Gambler
6 Whoputfiftyinyou
7 Oneoforthegutter
8 Saga
9 Ribhi
10 Fiach Mchugh
11 Claim The Crown
12 Harrow
13 Spinaround
14 Tranquil Night
15 Sed Maarkib
16 Amortentia
17 Koy Koy
18 King Of Time
19 Yonafis
20 Atrium
21 My Little Tip
22 On Herberts Reign
23 Wanees
24 Bolthole
25 Blenheim Boy
26 Thesis
27 Barley
28 Lawful Command
29 Kitsune Power
30 Jimi Hendrix
TIP: KOY KOY took the eye when second at Chester and has the scope to progress from a mark of 93.
5.35 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
1 Claymore
2 Cresta
3 Howth
4 Kingmax
5 Maksud
6 Reach For The Moon
TIP: This revolves around the Queen's original Derby hope REACH FOR THE MOON, who should strip fitter for his reappearance behind My Prospero, who lost out by just a neck at the top level earlier in the week.
6.10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes
1 Oo De Lally
2 Tactical
3 Silent Film
4 Ejtilaab
5 Path Of Thunder
6 Rhoscolyn
7 Vafortino
8 River Nymph
9 Documenting
10 Spirit Of Light
11 Al Rufaa
12 Star Of Orion
13 Current Option
14 Baradar
15 Montassib
16 Snazzy Jazzy
17 Mums Tipple
18 Chiefofchiefs
19 Dance Fever
20 Ouzo
21 Fools Rush In
22 Inver Park
23 Above
24 Pistoletto
25 Total Commitment
26 Fastnet Crown
27 Tanmawwy
28 Ropey Guest
29 Soar Above
TIP: The way MONTASSIB picked up to take on and go past leader Marshal Dan from a rear position at Goodwood was striking and 10lb extra may not be enough to stop him winning here. Mums Tipple, who put in a better performance than his finishing position indicated at this track last time and Fools Rush In, with top claimer Harry Davies in the saddle, are two outsiders for the each-way shortlist.
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