Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 2 Preview

A great first day, may the momentum continue!

14.30 QUEEN MARY

Alta Regina - debuted with a dominant win at Lingfield in quick time. The race report said she ran a bit green but I thought that was more reacting to other horses not running straight. Drawn the grandstand rail with James McDonald aboard, big ticks.

Armor Supreme - won nicely on debut at Goodwood, enough to inspire Valor Racing to buy into her. Then was nosed out on the line in the Marygate at York, always a decent guide. Also drawn high, Rossa Ryan aboard and he's in great form, winning four races on Sunday and Monday. A chance at odds in a really tough race.

Bint Archange - impressive winner here six weeks ago but with average rating figures. Stable have a high opinion of her, but needs to step up considerably to figure.

Celtic Dispute - first of the American fillies. Kicked off her career with a second on the dirt then found the line first on her turf debut. Not a pure speed machine, sat behind the lead for that win. One of many chances.

Crystal Queen - won the Hilary Needler comfortably at her second start, running on nicely, after being left behind by Ruler's Pride on debut. Quite a step up required here.

Drazinda - not sure what she was up against at Chantilly on debut but won very nicely, working her way through the field off a fast pace, then ran away with it given a slight urging by Mickael Barzalona. Ignore the 'very soft' track rating, that's about as genuine as a politician's promises and the time was good. By same sire as Alta Regina, her sire won the Norfolk on good-to-firm ground. She's quick and a real chance at juicy odds here.

Fast Track - narrowly beaten by the favourite Senorita Bonita last time at Nottingham, but it appeared like she'd given everything while the fav had more up her sleeve. Tested.

Havana Lightning - took a big step forward at her second run, winning easily at Yarmouth ahead of a winner next time out and another runner beaten a similar distance next time by today's fav. Sharp connections, another step forward wouldn't surprise.

Kentucky Rain - could be a springer at a huge price. Was locked up badly on debut at Goodwood (SP 25/1) then ran home very nicely to take second, enough to convince Amo Racing to pay £380k for her on Monday night at the sales. If you've not heard of trainer Lemos De Souza, he's the partner of Amy Murphy who now trains out of Chantilly, and has been working with Henry Dwyer on Asfoora. He's no mug and will be underrated here. Will be having pocket change each-way on this one.

Love A Giggle - unbeaten in two starts, beat Pershaada on debut at Southwell (who beat Kentucky Rain and Fast Track next time out) and Armor Supreme and Lover Girl in the Marygate at York. From very good juvenile stable, yet another one in the mix.

Lover Girl - third behind Love A Giggle at York, just 12 days after winning at Salisbury. One of several for Amo Racing, least preferred on jockey bookings.

More Champagne - breezed past Shining Sun on debut at Keeneland in an impressive debut. Perhaps the best of the Americans, has Johnny V aboard who has a couple of Royal Ascot winners under his belt. 

Ruiva - the latest Wesley Ward flying machine. Bolted in at Churchill Downs in the sloppy dirt at the end of April, then put away for this. Reportedly working well on the grass (aren't they always?). Drawn towards the high side, always respect the connections.

Senorita Bonita - looked good winning on debut at Nottingham, had a bit in hand and ran home well. Oisin has jumped off for one of the US runners, although that may have been organised long in advance. 

Shimmering Sun - won nicely on debut at Salisbury but there have been no subsequent winners out of that race which usually says the form is no good.

Shining Moment - got left for dust on debut by More Champagne, then improved sharply to win at Churchill Downs next time out. Curious that Oisin Murphy is on this one, assuming he had a choice with Senorita Bonita and others. Drawn the hot side, will be plenty of pace on the grandstand rail.

Velozee - looked good in small fields at her first two runs but was then put in her place by Victorious in a G3 at Naas last time. No obvious excuse for that performance, so place at best.

Victorious - rock solid, unbeaten in two starts beating the best Ireland had t offer. Drops back to 5f which is a slight concern but Ryan Moore has travelled to Ireland twice to ride this one, stable must rate her very highly.

Wild Blossom - won by 10L on debut at Carlisle a month ago but it was a field of four, none of those in behind have won since, the time was slower than a 0-62 race later on the card and she's by Mehmas (0/76 at Royal Ascot before day one). Might be something special but this race is tough. 

VERDICT

Great race with plenty of chances. I love these races with so much unexposed form. As certain as death, taxes and the Marmalade Muppet taking the world for a ride, there will be a perceived draw bias after day one. The question is how much of it is hype and how much is real. At point of writing, I'm inclined to believe it will be more about where the pace is than the track. Down the middle is probably the way to go here.

The French filly might be the value, she was 'point and shoot' at Chantilly and there'll be plenty of pace ahead of her. Victorious looks solid, More Champagne might be one of the box and Kentucky Rain for the shock result.

DRAZINDA, Victorious, More Champagne, Kentucky Rain

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15.05 QUEEN'S VASE

Asakir - lightly raced, was competitive in the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan last time, stepping up 3f and being overtaken late by Limestone. Will experience at the longer trip help here - up another furlong today? By Zarak, who I wouldn't have down as a sire of Flat stayers, out of a Pivotal mare. Not for mine.

Del Maro - more exposed than most of these and has only won one of seven. Place chance at best.

Galiyan - won his maiden very nicely at Chester, revelling in the longer trip. Big upside and the Balding stable is going very well of late.

Limestone - the best young stayer from Ireland, arrives on a three-race winning streak but has yet to see a firm track. Probably won't be an issue but does seed an element of doubt. Joseph O'Brien and Dyland Browne McMonagle are taking the world by storm, should go very close here. 

Point Of Law - royal runner who finished behind Del Maro on debut then won a maiden at Newbury, although it was a downgrade on the performance rating. Impeccably bred, by Frankel out of a Deep Impact mare, and has been well supported in early betting, but I think this race might come too early for him. Promising future but not today. St Leger perhaps?

Port Of Spain - seems to be one of those Coolmore 3yos they don't really know what to do with. Not good enough for the Classics, got thrown into the London Gold Cup, usually a very strong 3yo handicap at Newbury, was well backed but fell victim to some lighter weighted types, finishing fifth. Steps up 4f here, not an obvious stayer, think he's just here to make sure Aidan O'Brien has a runner. Pass.

Ravenspire - two from two in weaker grade. Last time beat Poker in a four-horse field at Haydock, that horse ran 45L last in the Derby. Gregorian came through that race in 2023 (won this race), but so did Opportunity who ran last in 2025. No.

Wareeth - has made steady progress on his rating through three starts, but the jump from winning a Salisbury novice, even by six lengths, to being competitive here is substantial.

VERDICT

Two horse race here, will go with Limestone on the basis of experience. If Galiyan can win this, then the future is very bright for him.

LIMESTONE, Galiyan, Point Of Law.

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15.40 DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES

Jancis - beat Cathedral in the G2 Dahlia, earning a 3lb penalty, then ran fifth in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh behind City Of Memphis. Ran home ok that day, probably didn't appreciate drawing the inside gate with her get-back running style. Looks a big ask.

Arisaig - frustrating horse who won four of her first nine and none in her last fourteen, often promising plenty but never quite delivering. Only one second to show from five Ascot runs, pass.

Blue Bolt - since running fifth on debut, she's never been out of the first two in six subsequent starts. Beat several of these last time at Goodwood, and that was first up after seven months off. Has only won a couple of Listed races to date, but is ready for this test. 

Carolina Jetstream - none from five on the turf, but ran second in a G2 at the Curragh, a clear career-best on Racing Post Ratings, leading until the final stages. This track has always had a bit of a correlation with synthetic tracks, she's four from eight at Dundalk, and she gets a massive boost from the addition of Ryan Moore in the saddle. Roughie with a shot.

Catalina Delcarpio - ran third in the G2 Ribblesdale here last year over 1m4f but this year has been campaigned over a mile. Perhaps not keen in the wet first-up but rebounded with a strong win last time at Leopardstown. Trainer runs at a ridiculous 28% winning strike rate in Ireland over the past five years, must be highly respected.  

Cathedral - won on debut, has lost nine since. Talented type, pitched in at the deep end regularly by Amo Racing, including the Coronation, Matron, Sun Chariot and Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf, but hard to have any confidence in her when she hasn't had the chance of an easy kill. 

Falakeyah - looked like a potential star on her first two starts, then the balloon burst when thrown into the Coronation last season. Was given a hood later in the year but that didn't solve the issue of the filly being too headstrong. Resumed in the G2 Dahlia against many of these, pulled too hard again and trailed over 12L behind the winner. No gear change, just a switch from Saffie Osborne to Tom Marquand. Might not be enough to settle her down.

Friendly Soul - was very lucky to survive putting her hoof in a hole at Haydock which caused most of the meeting to be called off, but the stable have said she's come out of it with no harm and is working very well. Had won five of her previous six, and the loss was too bad to be true, warranting a 10 week break. Won the G3 Valiant Stakes here easily last July, before progressing to G2 and G1 wins in France. Trust the stable, the one to beat.

Godspeed - hard to know how good this French filly is. Looked to have taken a step forward with her first time out this season, just missing in a G3 at Longchamp. Going up a furlong in trip looks ideal. James Doyle to ride after the Wathnan cheque book came out recently.

Kon Tiki - was a chance to run into the placings in the Coronation last year but suffered interference in the last furlong. Outside of that run, her form is very strong, with three wins and a recent second to Blue Bolt at Goodwood. Gets her chance here.

Shes Perfect - ran second in two French G1s last season (first past the post in one of them), ran third behind Blue Bolt and Kon Tiki resuming at Goodwood this season then you can completely write off the run at Epsom on the wet track. Wears cheekpieces for the first time, will need a step forward here. 

Snellen - loves Royal Ascot, winning the Chesham as a 2yo and running second in the Kensington Palace last year. Resumed with a third behind Lady Of Memphis in an Irish G3, the same mare who beat Carolina Jetstream next time out. Aussie jockey Mark Zahra takes the ride, chance at odds.

VERDICT

The Goodwood form links several of these together and may prove strong, but I'm looking elsewhere with Catalina Delcarpio. This filly is from the same stable as City Of Memphis (not running here) with the strongest Irish form. If they've sent this one, then I'd imagine Pat Twomey is confident she's at least as good. Friendly Soul must be competitive if there are no mental scars from her run at Haydock while Snellen's record her can't be ignored.

CATALINA DELCARPIO, Friendly Soul, Snellen

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16.20 PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES

Almaqam - rumours were he'd come back bigger and better this year, and he showed that in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland, beating Bay City Roller (who then bolted in at Epsom in the slop) and Minnie Hauk, with a career-best RPR. If he can improve just a tiny bit more, he's in with a real shout here. 

Daryz - last year's Arc winner who has comfortably won his two starts this season in high rating performances. Failed in the Juddmonte at his one previous run in Britain on a good-firm surface. Perhaps it was the ground, perhaps just an off day, but that must leave an element of doubt in the mind. Tough to beat if he brings his best.

Ombudsman - the star of British WFA racing, with eight wins from 11 starts, defeats only to Almaqam (Brigadier Gerard, May 2025), Delacroix (Coral Eclipse, July 2025) and Calandagan (Champion Stakes, Oct 2025). This season he has already claimed the Dubai Turf and the Brigadier Gerard conceding 7lbs to the field. He was tested in the latter race but the rating held up. Won this race last year at 7/1, will be a lot shorter this time.

Minnie Hauk - triple Oaks winner last season who was nosed out by Daryz in the Arc. Has missed the frame in two of three races since, the Breeders' Cup Turf and the G1 Tattersall's Gold Cup at the Curragh three weeks ago, starting at 4/6. With no obvious excuse for the drop in form, she might just be running for place money.

See The Fire - wins nice mares' races but has finished 4.5L behind Ombudsman on the two occasions they've met. No reason to see that being overturned.

VERDICT

All the hype here is about Daryz v Ombudsman, and deservedly so. But if they are too busy worrying about each other, the one who might spring a surprise is Almaqam. I'd rather take a chance at 7/1 than 6/4 or 9/4. There's at least one pacemaker in the race so it should be a true test and a race really worth watching.

ALMAQAM, Ombudsman, Daryz

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No time for the last three races, will no doubt throw some darts for the Placepot.