Royal Ascot Thursday Tips: Mark Milligan's three to follow includes a King George V Stakes fancy at 10/1

Chesham Stakes, 14:30, Royal Ascot - Back Aix La Chapelle (NAP) @ 7/42.75

1 (7)

Aix La Chapelle (Usa)

• J: Ryan Moore
• T: Aidan O'Brien, Ireland
• F:

Aidan O'Brien has won the Chesham Stakes seven times previously and has strong claims of making it eight with Aix La Chapelle in Thursday's opener.

The son of Justify looked a good prospect when winning his sole start over this trip at the Curragh on debut, looking a little green when first asked to go about his business but picking up to come home a length and a half clear of Bull Shark.

He's bred to be a good one and there's every chance he'll improve significantly with that initial run under his belt for a stable that already looks to have its usual strong hand of juveniles.

Of the opposition, George Scott's Sea The Stars filly Sea Venture also produced a taking winning debut and it would be no surprise if she proves the biggest threat, particularly as she gets a handy 5lb weight allowance against the opposite sex.

Charlie Johnston's Time For The Moon is another one to factor in having also won nicely last time, but it could be that the best of this one won't be seen until he tackles longer trips next season.

King George V Stakes, 15:05, Royal Ascot - Back Enceladus E/W @ 10/111.00

10 (13)

Enceladus (Ire)

• J: Ryan Moore
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F:

The King Geoge V Stakes looks an absolute belter, and it would be no surprise if plenty of these are plying their trades in better races than handicaps come the end of the season.

Joseph O'Brien went into Tuesday's Ascot Stakes mob-handed and he throws four at this contest, with Enceladus and Cannes looking the pick of his quartet.

The latter is partnered by Dylan Browne McMonagle, who would presumably have had the pick, and there's nothing wrong with this one's form as he comes into the race on the back of a win in maiden company, a success that was franked by both the third and fourth winning next time.

However, I narrowly prefer the claims of stable companion Enceladus, who won't lack for assistance from the saddle with Ryan Moore engaged to ride.

The selection was also a winner of a maiden on his most recent outing and that form was itself done a couple of favours, with several of the beaten horses winning subsequently. Bred to be better than a handicapper, I have no qualms with Enceladus starting out in this sphere from a mark of 89 and can see him being rated much higher than that come the end of the season.

This looks a tremendously deep race, though, so it's best we take advantage of the five places available on the Sportsbook and back Enceladus each-way.

Ribblesdale Stakes, 15:40, Royal Ascot - Back Gilded Prize @ 7/24.50

5 (3)

Gilded Prize

• J: Oisin Murphy
• T: Francis-Henri Graffard, France
• F:

Whichever way you slice it, the Ribblesdale goes through Oaks runner-up Legacy Link and she'll take all the beating if turning up in the same sort of form that saw her finish second to the impressive Thundering On. However, she did have a reasonably hard race there on easy ground and, backing up less than a fortnight on, I have my doubts as to whether she's really one to be with at a relatively short price.

If she's in top form she wins, but I'm prepared to take my chances with owner-mate Gilded Prize, who has been passed over by retained jockey Colin Keane but hardly has a poor substitute in Oisin Murphy.

Francis-Henri Graffard has established himself as one of the world's top trainers in recent years and he wouldn't be coming here if he didn't think Gilded Prize had a good shot at beating Legacy Link.

She'd looked a filly of some potential when winning her first three starts and was firmly on course for the French Oaks before her bubble was burst somewhat when only finishing fifth of six in the Prix Saint-Alary last time.

I'm not convinced that was Gilded Prize's true running and I'd much prefer to judge her on what she'd done prior to that. I'm hopeful she'll get her season back on track here.

Mark Milligan's Day 3 Royal Ascot double

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis each day of Royal Ascot, and the multi that makes the most appeal is a win double using Aix La Chapelle and Gilded Prize. I've made cases for both above and the double pays just over 11/112.00 should they both go in.

Now read the rest of our Royal Ascot tips here!