Tuesday 16th June 2026
We kick things off at the Royal Meeting this year at 2.30 on Tuesday, with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes opening the meeting over a mile. I’ve come down on the William Haggas-trained MORE THUNDER in this year’s renewal, who’s the mount of Tom Marquand. He was a rapid improver for the yard last term, winning a big handicap in the Bunbury Cup before adding a Group 2 success to his name in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. He was far from disgraced in Group 1 company in the Foret, where he finished fourth, despite being poorly placed, and opened his account this term with a second-placed effort in the Lockinge Stakes last month. He should improve significantly following that outing, and he can make his presence felt here at a track that should suit him. A big season could be on the cards. Notable Speech finished above the selection at Newbury last time, and he’s an obvious big danger at the top of the betting, and the same can be said for his stablemate Opera Ballo, who’s gone from strength to strength as of late, and is likely to be on the premises again.
We move on to the 3.05 now, which is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes over six furlongs. I’ve had two bets in this particular affair, the first of which comes in the form of CONFUCIUS, who looks to be the first string for Aidan O’Brien, and the choice of Ryan Moore. He makes a lot of appeal on paper, as he’s superbly bred, and put his green debut at the Curragh behind him last time out with a dominant success at Naas when a short price. He cost 1,700,000gns as a yearling, and could well be another star for his all-conquering stable, who have won two of the last three runnings of this race. I’ve also tried my hand with one at a massive price here, and that’s ADAAY OF SCARLETT for Hugo Palmer and Billy Loughnane. He’s already had three starts, winning his first two, which included an impressive debut at Newmarket, before winning here over five furlongs. He finished second in Listed company at Sandown last time out, and whilst this race is significantly tougher, he’s still improving, and his added experience could help.
The third race of the day comes up at 3.40, and we have more Group 1 action here in the form of the King Charles III Stakes over five furlongs. The Australians have won this race twice in the last five years, and I think that they could well take it again this year with OVERPASS, who represents Bjorn Baker, and is the mount of Joshua Parr. He’s not tasted Group 1 success since 2024; however, he’s posted many good efforts in defeat, none more so than when finishing fourth and a length and a half behind Ka Ying Rising in last season’s Everest. The UK sprinters don’t set a daunting standard, and haven’t done so for some time, and this prominent racer could prove tough to peg back. Night Raider is starting to show his true form, and could prove the best of the home challenge, and a mention can also go to last year’s winner American Affair, who’s likely to be primed for another stab at this. Mission Central also makes the shortlist for Aidan O’Brien, who was successful here on Champions Day, and has started this season strongly.
Next up is the feature race of the opening day, coming up at 4.20, and this is the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes over a mile. I’m very strong on the Guineas hero BOW ECHO here, who represents the team of George Boughey and Billy Loughnane. He comes into the race boasting a perfect record of four wins from four starts, including the joint-best Guineas success since Frankel’s demolition job. It was a massively impressive performance from him that day, and whilst this is a new track for him to contend with, he’s a hugely exciting horse, and it will take a serious performance to prevent him from going five from five. Gstaad was second to him at Newmarket last time out, and is the obvious main danger, and I do think that he’ll get a bit closer to him on this occasion, given that O’Brien’s horses often progress markedly on their second start of the season. That being said, however, I still think that the Boughey charge has the edge.
Tuesday Selections
Royal Ascot (Day 1)
16/06/2026
2.30 Ascot
MORE THUNDER – (4/1) (Win)
3.05 Ascot
CONFUCIUS – (9/4) (Win) (NB)
ADAAY OF SCARLETT – (40/1) (Each-Way) (4 places)
3.40 Ascot
OVERPASS – (10/3) (Win)
4.20 Ascot
BOW ECHO – (5/6) (Win) (NAP)
