Royal Ascot 2017: Day three round-up

Summary

Coverage of day three at Royal Ascot
Big Orange wins epic Gold Cup (16:20)
Coronet claims Ribblesdale Stakes (15:40)
Benbatl wins Hampton Court Stakes (15:05)
Sioux Nation secures Norfolk Stakes (14:30)

Live Reporting

Frank Keogh and John Hudson

The beautiful, and hidden, side of horse racingpublished at 11:10 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
A lot of hard work and early mornings go into preparing for this week of flat racing, and that often takes place in glorious British countryside.
We've been for a look at the rolling hills around Andrew Balding's yard in Berkshire, which, although it probably looks less appealing at four in the morning in mid-December, is a treat for the eyes.
Media caption,
Take a look at the amazing countryside surrounding Andrew Balding's yard in Kingsclere.
Ascot to open historic new enclosurepublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Adam Whitty
BBC South
Today, Royal Ascot opens its first new enclosure for 100 years - the Village.
Described as "a pop-up summer scene", it has a bandstand and two other stages for jazz and funk in the day and bands and DJs in the evening, plus a village green.
Image source, Ascot
It also stays open late, until 9pm in fact.
So you party animals will surely get your fill.
The big entrancepublished at 10:49 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
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Just look at all those fascinatorspublished at 10:43 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
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The gates are openpublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
The big metal gates have been opened, and day three is now under way.
As well as coverage here through the day, you can listen on BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.
Here is the running order, all times are BST.
14:30: Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 5f
15:05: Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 1 1/4m
15:40: Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 1½m
16:20: Gold Cup (Group 1) 2 1/2m
17:00: Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 1m
17:35: King George V Stakes 1½m
Another winner for Frankel at Ascot?published at 10:33 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport
The legendary racehorse Frankel could have his first Royal Ascot winner as a stallion later today.
Mori, a daughter of Frankel and the brilliant mare Midday, runs in the Ribblesdale Stakes (15:40 BST) for Sir Michael Stoute who needs one more win to become the meeting's all-time leading trainer.
Stablemate Mirage Dancer goes in the Hampton Court Stakes (15:05) while another son of Frankel - Majoris - runs for Hugo Palmer in the King George V Stakes (17:35).
Frankel triumphed in all 14 of his races during a stellar career, including two at Royal Ascot. He won his final contest at the Berkshire course in October 2012 before being retired for a breeding career.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
A statue of Frankel overlooking the parade ring at Ascot
Top of the Topspublished at 10:13 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Adam Whitty
BBC South
These were some of the best hats from yesterday's action, and I'll think you'll agree, there are some very pheasant bits of headwear on show.
See what we did there...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Those clouds must worry these weather presenterspublished at 10:05 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
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Prepare yourself, Ascotpublished at 09:48 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
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Watch out for thundery showerspublished at 09:33 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Thundery showers are being forecast this morning, but they are expected to clear before noon.
Temperatures will peak at 22C - that's down around 10C on the scorching highs we enjoyed during days one and two.
Giddy up?published at 09:30 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Unfortunately Matthew, I don't think you'll be able to ride in on that pillow.
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Who has Mother Nature got her money on?published at 09:12 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
They've watered the course, but Mother Nature may have her eye on a softer going, with some rain forecast for this morning.
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horse-racing
Big crowd expected at Ascotpublished at 09:07 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Thursday is Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot with a crowd of about 65,000 expected at the Berkshire course.
The Gold Cup (16:20 BST) is the feature race where last year's winner Order Of St George will bid to follow up for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
O'Brien is seeking his eighth win in 12 years in the two-and-a-half mile contest.
Opposition includes dual Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange, trained by Michael Bell, and Ralph Beckett's 2015 St Leger winner Simple Verse.
Image source, Getty Images
Day two: Highland Reel wins Prince of Wales's Stakes for Aidan O'Brienpublished at 09:03 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
In yesterday's racing action, Highland Reel showed his class to win the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
The 9-4 shot, ridden by Ryan Moore, fought past runner-up Decorated Knight, with Ulysses in third.
Highland Reel prevailed by one and a quarter lengths for the sixth Group One victory of his career and the 300th top-level triumph for his trainer.
Coming 19 days after his Coronation Cup win at Epsom, it was O'Brien's first success of the 2017 Royal meeting.
There were two French victories earlier in the day with Qemah winning the Duke of Cambridge Stakes after Le Brivido took the Jersey Stakes.
Image source, ALLSPORT/Getty Images
Welcome to the most glamorous of dayspublished at 09:00 British Summer Time 22 June 2017
Adam Whitty
BBC South
Can you hear that siren? The fashion police are well and truly in town.
We have a day ahead filled with fabulous frocks, sublime shoes, and some fascinating fascinators.
Be honest though, you also want to have a look at a few of the fashion disasters.
Welcome to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot 2017.
Image source, Getty Images