STAR RACING PREVIEW: Royal Ascot 2026

A glorious week of midsummer sport awaits us, and Royal Ascot has good claims to being the highlight, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

Five days full of top-class and extremely competitive fields with a good haul of international raiders for good measure should lead to a fine racing spectacle, with the ground also set fair – kudos to the team there for their work in preparation.

⭐ STAR SPORTS RACING MARKETS ⭐

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🎩 2:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1m (Str)

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The meeting starts with an absolute cracker, as most of the main characters in European milling meet again after clashing in either the Lockinge Stakes, the Bet365 Mile or both. Notable Speech’s Lockinge win was spectacular to watch and there’s no doubt that at his very best he sets an imposing standard, although he’s been beaten twice at this meeting before (albeit unlucky last year) and there’s little in the price now. More Thunder made fine late progress to take second in the Lockinge, a run that can be marke dup given his freshness early on and the fact he gave a generous start to Notable Speech on his seasonal reappearance.

Assuming he takes a big step forward, and there’s reason to think that he can do so, he could have a fighting chance of pushing Notable Speech hard, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was still improving. Opera Ballo was all class in the Bet365 Mile and looks the biggest threat although he should face more pace pressure upfront here against fitter horses. Docklands adores Ascot and could be each/way value.

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🎩 3:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) 6f

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As ever a whole host of untapped potential here. Ballydoyle’s record in this is second to none so Confucius will be popular but Great Barrier Reef has done nothing wrong in his two wins, trashing his field at the Curragh on his debut before then showing a good attitude and overcoming some greenness to take the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh. Ryan Moore has jumped ship but collateral formlines don’t have much between the pair and assuming some luck with the draw a big run would be no surprise.

Siouxperb was strongly backed ahead of his impressive debut at Yarmouth, when he smashed up the useful subsequent dual winner O’Gorman with a sharp turn of foot in the final furlong. Valorant racing has since bought into him for Archie Watson, who knows what it takes to win this contest having landed it with Bradsell in 2018. Others on the longlist were Night In Vegas, Cut A Dash and Mrair, whilst Ruler’s Pride made the most appeal of the Wathanan brigade.

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🎩 3:40 – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) 5f

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Australian sprinters have enjoyed real success at this meeting and Overpass’s best form – namely a fourth in the Everest behind Ka Ying Rising and group 1 winners Tempted and Jimmystar, with Saturday’s big race favourite Joliestar just behind, and sets an imposing standard on his Group 1 efforts since. He drops back in trip (although he is a 5 furlong winner), and that may be no bad thing given that he’s found a few too strong at the end of his races down under. This track and trip should suit, so with a clear run he’s the choice.

Last year’s winner American Affair was a massive improver who relished every inch of the hill to grab glory in the last 100 yards, and this year he arrives having chased Night Raider (also a major player) home in the Temple, bouncing back from a throwaway run on his reappearance at York. If peaking in the same style again, few will be finishing faster and he can get involved.

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🎩 4:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo) 1m (7f213y) (Rnd)

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The race of the day, as the hugely impressive 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo and runner-up Gstaad, since an impressive winner of the Irish Guineas, rematch, with both joined by the incredibly impressive Heron Stakes winner Talk Of New York and Puerto Rico, one of last year’s top two-year-olds.

The vote goes to Bow Echo to beat Gstaad once again, although a closer race wouldn’t be a surprise at all here. However, it was impossible not to be hugely impressed with the way he powered home at Newmarket, nor the turn of foot he showed beforehand, and Talk of New York will have to be exceptional to match that for all he looked it in the Heron and was fought of as Godolphin’s potential Guineas horse – or one of them – beforehand.

Purerto Rico could well get the run of the race upfront which would be interesting considering how impressive he was when front running to win the Champagne Stakes, the Lagardère and the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, although his French Guineas effort was perhaps underwhelming considering how strongly he ended his juvenile season. A race to watch and enjoy!

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🎩 5:00 – Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) 2m 4f

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There’s no doubt that a royal success for Reaching High would be very well received and with better luck than last year he’s got a big shout but he’s now 2/1 for one of the most competitive handicaps of the year and some luck will be needed once again. Puturhandstogether had no luck in the Chester Cup, with a slow start and stumble after the first furlong putting him near last before he didn’t get a run, but he did well to make the late headway he did and if things fall more kindly today previous flat evidence tells us he’ll take some stopping.

Galileo Dame was fourth there as favourite and she’s possibly unexposed at staying trips on the flat, having won upto 2m4f over hurdles, and if the gaps come she’s still over of interest in a wide open contest.

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🎩 5:35 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1m2f (1m1f212y)

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One of the most competitive contests of the week with every runner having a realistic chance. Last year’s winner Haatem is entitled to respect as is Galen, runner-up on that occasion, although Nahraan has the most potential by a mile and would be the pick of the bunch, although the market may tell plenty and he’s now racing on the fastest ground of his career.

This is a fascinating stable debut for Ghostwriter, a Group 1 performer for Clive Cox who hasn’t been seen since the Hardwicke last year. At his best he’d have to take a huge amount of beating but it would be no surprise if he wasn’t better for this run. At their best, Map of Stars and Royal Rhyme would have big chances although that’s taken on trust given their performances this season.

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🎩 6:10 – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) 1m6f (1m6f34y)

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Valiancy may be a group horse in a handicap here, and it’s not a surprise that James Doyle has chosen him from the Wathnan brigade. Again, much like Reaching High, he’s 2/1 for an incredibly competitive race with the potential of traffic problems. Daiquiri Bay couldn’t quite get going in time when eighth in the King George Handicap last year, but he’s since steadily improved, and his defeat of Gamrai, previously an impressive winner of the Roseberry Handicap at Kempton, shapes very well. Sing Us A Song couldn’t live with the very exciting Klassleader in the Jorvik Handicap at York but he’d beaten him over this trip at Haydock in September and after being gelded, he appears to be stringing his runs together properly now. A repeat of his level since then will probably have him on the premises.

Now, as you know, the fun doesn’t stop there – here’s a guide to the rest of the week….

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🎩 WEDNESDAY 🎩

Wild Blossom’s 10-length destruction of Crowdbreaker was unbelievable to watch, and she has to be kept onside in the Queen Mary (2.30) even if the time wasn’t as strong as some might have liked. Senorita Bonita did very well to get the better of Fast Track at Nottingham on debut in what looked a good race whilst Victorious will finish very strongly having ground out victory in the Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas over 6 last time. There’s a sizeable US contingent of which More Champagne makes the most appeal whilst Love A Giggle will be finishing last late if the Marygate is anything to go by.

A trappy renewal of the Queen’s Vase (3.05), might go to Limestone for Joesph O’Brien who has just thrived going up in trip, there might not be much between several in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (3.05), where Blue Bolt looks the right favourite although several would be interesting if coming back to their best including Godspeed for Wathnan Racing.

The Prince of Wales’s (4.20) is arguably the race of the week with precious little between Arc winner Daryz and last year’s winner Ombudsman at their best. On faster ground Ombudsman has less to prove but victory for either wouldn’t be a surprise and if Minnie Hauk is back to her best after flopping behind Almaqam last time out in the Tattersalls Gold Cup then a classic could be on the card.

The Hunt Cup (5.00) is always impossibly competitive but the Spring Cup form from Newbury looks strong and the 1-2 from that day in Linwood and Classic can go very well whilst Indalo is unlucky not to be a Cambridgeshire winner. Fifth Column could be interesting at a price if able to back up his Newmarket effort.

In the Kensington Palace Stakes (5.35) Stateira could be an inspired addition to the Wathnan Racing team. She’d been improving rapidly on the AW but her eye-catching run when third in the Lanwades Stud Stakes (didn’t get the gaps when needed, would have been second at least with a clean run), suggests she’s not done yet and even off topweight, she can give each/way punters a great run for their money.

The new look Windsor Castle (6.10) will take some working out, but Controlla did incredibly well to push Victorious as close as she did in a Group 3 on debut and she should take a lot of beating here.

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🎩 THURSDAY 🎩

Aix La Chapelle and Sea Venture currently dominate the Chesham (2.30) betting but there are a few useful types there as always and other betting opportunities make more appeal. In the King George V Handicap (3.05) the London Gold Cup form (Lost Boys third, Sahara King second, Tierra Del Toro third) looks the line to follow and all three should be on shortlists. Tierra Del Toro could relish this trip most of all and might be the choice.

The Ribblesdale (3.40) could be very open as Legacy Link had a brutal race in the Oaks whilst Gilded Prize needs to bounce back from her no show in the Saint-Alary. A tough outing at Epsom would also be against Sugar Island and Cameo if they turned up here. Johanna Walsh was impressive last time and looks to have another step forward whilst Earth Shot should have learned plenty in defeat at Goodwood.

Scandianvia is a short favorutie in the Gold Cup (4.15) but there was just a neck between him and Rahiebb in the Leger last year and Caballo De Mar and Al Riffa (appealing each/way at the current prices) also need respect here in a race that’s more open than the betting might suggest. Last year’s winner Trawlerman is making his seasonal debut and it would be some feat if he was to repeat the feat on his first start of the season.

We don’t have the draws yet but on paper Wechaad is the selection in the Britannia (4.50), having looked unlucky in a good handicap at Goodwood on his return with this extra furlong sure to suit. Morshdi, if back to form, might be the answer to the Hampton Court (5.35), although whichever Ballydoyle contender runs will surely be of serious interest and a few have more than one entry at the time of writing. Some of the topweights in The Buckingham Palace (5.30) are interesting including Victoria Cup winner The Wizard of Eye before the final fields.

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🎩 FRIDAY 🎩

In the Albany (2.30), Sun Goddess will be extremely popular whilst Silent Beauty was really taking at York when beating two decent yardsticks and the gap between the two in the market might be closer than expected. Jolivette was a promising winner on debut at Newmarket when looking much like her trainer’s 2021 Albany winner Sandrine. Like the unbeaten Dark Issue, Libertango and Shimmering Sun.

Venetian Sun is a strong shout for the Commonwealth Cup (3.05), although the price won’t be to the liking of quite a few. Coppull and Havana Anna deserve respect, whilst Into The Sky would be very appealing if he ran each/way.

The Duke of Edinburgh (3.40) didn’t have the same appeal as some other contests, but Nighttime Dancer’s form is stacking up nicely from last season and his return was respectable.

Precise is the clear top pick in the Coronation Stakes (4.20), although the price reflects that. The Prettiest Star, fourth in the 1,000 Guineas, might be the each/way play and True Love shouldn’t be far away at all. The booking of Oisin Murphy for Glyfada in the Sandringham speaks volumes although it’s interesting that Francois-Henri Graffard has Repel entered here. Act of Kindness brings pattern form here for Godolphin and might be big at this stage for all that we don’t yet know the draws.

Water To Wine has looked incredibly impressive in two runs, and his Newbury debut win looks all the better after Alderman’s big Derby run, for all he’s been found in the market. I wouldn’t be keen to have Benvenuto Cellini and Ancient Egypt so soon after the Derby, and Endorsement might well be the main threat.

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🎩 SATURDAY 🎩

Carry The Flag might well be short for the Norfolk (2.30pm), depending on what happens during the week but at the moment his form sets the standard for all that plenty of formlines will be tested. Orthodox impressed on his debut at Salisbury whilst Flight Signal did the same at Bath and Where Love Lives took the National Stakes at Sandown, beating two well-touted rivals, and might be overlooked.

We have a strong renewal of The Hardwicke (3.05) where Kalpana is the choice. Jan Brughel had a grueller in the Coronation Cup along with Lambourn so interest would be with Giavelloto and Ethical Diamond to post the biggest threats to the favourite on paper, for all we’ve seen Goliath show some of his better form recently.

Five-time Australian Group 1 winner Joliestar sets a high standard on appearance and will take the beating if reproducing that form here in what looks like it could be a fine renewal. Satono Reve was just beaten in this last year and has continued to run fine races since whilst Lugal’s two runs this year have him in the thick of things on ratings. Comanche Brave was very impressive in the Greenlands and, along with Sajir, leads the European charge with a fair few familiar names.

There’s a lot of love for Saber Strike in the Jersey (4.20) who looks a colt with no end of potential, although Into The Sky would be the clear choice if he ran here after his Guineas form to the table. Similar comments apply to Alparslan, the Greenham winner who was fifth in the Irish Guineas, whilst Godolphin have several entered, including Avicenna (second in the Craven, well beaten in the Guineas, and Time To Turn).

There’s obviously the draw to come here, but so deep is the impression that Double Rush has left in his two handicap wins at Newmarket that he has to be the main selection in the Wokingham Stakes (5.00). He looks like a group horse in a handicap – much like last year’s runner-up More Thunder – and is the horse that leaps off the page.

If Lost Boys went to the Golden Gates Handicap (5.35), then he’d be the clear pick for all that Accredit and Harmonics have taken the eye in style on their recent reappearances. Joulany’s a maiden, but his form is looking very handy whilst Evanesco was super impressive at Newmarket last time, comments which apply to Perisher too, having won so well at Leopardstown.

The marathon that is the Queen Alexandra (6.10) ends the week, and at the moment it appears Le Destrier will go off favourite for Willie Mullins after a fine run in the Saval Beg on his yard’s debut. What the O’Briens decide to run – A Piece of Heaven, perhaps? – will shape the rest of the market whilst French Master has stamina questions to answer on paper.

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RECOMMENDED BETS

BACK More Thunder in the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 7/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Great Barrier Reef in the Coventry (3.05 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 11/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Siouxperb in the Coventry (3.05 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt each/way at 14/1 (⭐ ?  CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Overpass in the King Charles III Stakes (3.40 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 5/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK American Affair in the King Charles III Stakes (3.40 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt each/way at 15/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Puturhandstogether in the Ascot Stakes (5.00 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 11/2 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Galileo Dame in the Ascot Stakes (5.00 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt each/way at 12/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Daiquiri Bay in the Copper Horse Stakes (6.10 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 6/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Sing Us A Song in the Copper Horse Stakes (6.10 Royal Ascot, Tuesday) 1 pt win at 6/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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PROFIT/LOSS (JUN 2026): 13.08 points

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