BY THE TEDDINGTON TIPSTER (Nick Luck)

I feel like I can look you in the eye now after Sir Busker romped home in the first yesterday at 12/1. With Russian Emperor and Tactical going in as well, it was a pretty good day all round. [BTactical[.B] was one of the best backed horses of the week so far, which had plenty chuckling at the idea of his owner cleaning out the big firms of all the morning prices. Hats off, Your Majesty!

On to day three, Gold Cup day, and I'm taking more than one wild swing this afternoon.

1.15 Golden Gates Handicap

I like Acquitted here, and I am not alone, as the booking of Ryan Moore suggests. Time may tell he was attempting the impossible trying to beat Palace Pier at Newcastle and the step up in distance should be right up his street. Tritonic and [.B]Cepheus are two that could go well at bigger prices.

1.50 Wolferton Stakes

This is a pretty spicy race for its grade, which makes Regal Reality a very backable price here. He is very capable, but a bit quirky: if the gelding operation puts his mind on the job, he should be quite hard to beat on his best form.

2.25 Jersey Stakes

Of those at the front of the market, King Leonidas and [.B]Celestin[.B] interest me most, but I would urge an each way interest on Ropey Guest. Although he has never won a race, he plied his trade in top company all of last season and was pretty consistent. At 50/1, he is 10 times the price of Molatham, who he beat on their one meeting last season.

3.00 Chesham Stakes

Battleground is about the best bred horse running this week - by top US stallion War Front out of the Champion race mare Found - and can take a big step forward from a considerate introduction to his career last week. He has been very well found in the market, but this looks a perfect opportunity for his stable to take another edition of this race.

3.35 Gold Cup

All eyes on Stradivarius here as he looks to win a third straight Gold Cup and his fourth Royal Ascot race. His prep hasn't been quite as smooth this time, but that has been forced by circumstances and this is probably the weakest Gold Cup he has contested. He should win, but - if he doesn't bring his A game - I would be tempted by Moonlight Spirit, who is low mileage and could have more improvement over this marathon distance.

4.10 Britannia Stakes

Enemy can prove your friend here. He looked to need the race quite badly on his comeback run at Yarmouth, and that has probably put him spot-on for this. He should certainly improve a good bit for the step up to a mile and the handicapper has had precious little evidence to figure out how good he is. His stablemate Cherokee Trail is interesting at a bigger price, though a low draw on the straight track has so far been a disadvantage.

4.40 Sandringham Stakes

African Dream looks yet another John Gosden-trained handicapper with an outstanding chance, but you'll not get rich backing her, so I'd suggest piling on Onassis each way. She was a quiet improver last season and is bred to be way better than her current rating. In addition, she represents the trainer and jockey successful with a very lightly weighted filly in this race last year.

Today's Royal Ascot Race Card