YEATS can write another glorious chapter in Royal Ascot history with a record fourth Gold Cup triumph.

Having sealed his hat-trick last year, Aidan O’Brien’s wonderful eight-year-old bids for a record fourth success in the 2m4f Group One.

And although he disappointed on his only start this season, when down the field in soft conditions at Naas, he is always at his best at Ascot.

The younger brigade like Veracity and Patkai will give him a test, while old adversary and last year’s runner-up Geordieland has looked better than ever this season.

But Yeats can bring the house down and cement his place as the greatest stayer with a fourth success.

O’Brien and Johnny Murtagh can double up with FREEMANTLE in the Hampton Court Stakes (4.55pm).

A close-up second to stable-mate Black Bear Island in the Dante Stakes at York, the Galileo colt bypassed the Derby. And that could look a shrewd decision because although he may have been a bit out of his depth at Epsom, he looks to have the class and ability to land this Listed contest.

Sir Michael Stoute also bypassed an Epsom Classic with LEOCORNO and can profit in today’s Ribblesdale Stakes (3.05pm).

The Pivotal filly has only run twice, but is unbeaten and although this Group Two contest is a big step-up in grade and trip to her win at Sandown in May, she looks set to triumph.

Mark Johnston has a superb Royal Ascot record with 28 winners and can add to it with QUAI D’ORSAY in the concluding Hampton Court Stakes (5.30pm) – a race he has won three times in the past seven years.

Others of interest are YOGARRO in the Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm) and TARZAN in the Brittania Stakes (4.20pm).

ROYAL ASCOT (Day Three):

2.30pm Yogarro

3.05pm Leocorno

3.45pm (Gold Cup) 1 YEATS (NAP) 2 Geordieland 3 Veracity

4.20pm Tarzan

4.55pm Freemantle

5.30pm Quai d’Orsay