THURSDAY 17 JUNE

Race of the day

The Gold Cup (4.15) and its three-time winner Stradivarius (right) deservedly take centre stage as Bjorn Nielsen’s superstar stayer goes in search of history as he bids to win his fourth Gold Cup (and his fifth consecutive race at Royal Ascot). To further add to the intrigue, he tackles Subjectivist, a horse Mark Johnston has described as his best chance of beating Stradivarius, and last year’s Derby winner Serpentine among a host of high-class stayers in what looks a vintage renewal of the race.

Bet of the day

In three career starts, Nagano (5.35) has shaped very much as a potential stakes performer of the future and can take plenty of beating now he tackles 1m4f for the first time in the King George V Stakes. An opening handicap mark of 94 looks to considerably underestimate his potential.