Wednesday 17th June 2026
The first of my selections on Wednesday at Royal Ascot comes within the 3.05, and this is the Group 2 Queen’s Vase, over a mile and six furlongs. I’m quite strong on the chances of GALIYAN here for the team of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. He looked very promising at Chester last time out, when staying on impressively to get the better of a more experienced rival, in the form of well-fancied Joulany, who’s likely useful himself. He’s up in distance again here, which looks sure to suit, and there’s likely a considerable amount of improvement still to come. He could well be very exciting moving forward. Joseph O’Brien’s Limestone could prove the main danger on the back of a Listed success last time out, and his form ties in with Asakir, who also makes the shortlist for Johnny Murtagh.
Next up, it’s the 3.40, and this is more Group 2 action in the form of the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes for fillies & mares, contested over a mile. I’ve come down on the Paddy Twomey-trained CATALINA DELCARPIO here, who’s the mount of Billy Lee. The Twomey yard has done very well with their runners at this meeting in recent years, and I think that they have another live chance here with this four-year-old by Lope De Vega. She was sent off the 2/1 favourite for the Ribblesdale Stakes at last year’s meeting, and whilst she wasn’t able to reward favourite backers on that occasion, she still ran a fine race when finishing third of eleven. She returned to the winner’s enclosure last time out in Listed company at Leopardstown, when dropped down to a mile, and there should be more to come. She’s also a decent price here, and could represent a bit of value. Blue Bolt is the obvious big danger, and will be a warm order at the top of the betting for Andrew Balding, and Friendly Soul is likely to bounce back for the Gosdens, following a mishap at Haydock last time out, following a layoff.
The feature race on Wednesday comes up at 4.20, and this is the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. This is my best bet of the day, and this comes in the form of OMBUDSMAN for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of William Buick. He burst onto the Group 1 scene when showing a devastating turn of foot to win this race last year, and has since cemented his place at the top table, with success in the Juddmonte International at York, as well as the Dubai Turf. He returned to action domestically with success in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes last time out, and he’s almost certain to take a big step forward following that outing. A bold bid to retain his crown here looks highly likely. His main danger is the Arc winner Daryz, who sets up a fascinating battle here. He has looked imperious himself so far this term, winning with ease over shorter distances than his Arc triumph. The ground is a slight question with him, however, as he’s used to soft going in France, and it’s likely to be quick here. Almaqam completes the shortlist for Ed Walker on the back of his Grade 1 success in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time out.
My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes within the 5.00, and this is the Royal Hunt Cup, a ferociously competitive Heritage Handicap over a mile. I’ve taken a chance on ARCHIVIST here for Hamad Al Jehani, who’s required the services of top-class Australian rider James McDonald to do the steering. He was a smart prospect when trained over here by William Haggas, with some solid novice form, before going on to win a competitive handicap at York. He opened his account last time out at Meydan, winning a handicap by over two lengths, and I think that he can have a say here, as I thought he was a nice horse when he was trained by Haggas. La Botte will likely be popular here for Harry Eustace, as he went close at the Britannia at last year’s meeting, and the in-form Linwood will also have plenty of supporters following his Spring Cup win, and Jamie Spencer has had plenty of success in Ascot handicaps over the years.
Wednesday Selections
Royal Ascot (Day 2)
17/06/2026
3.05 Ascot
GALIYAN – (9/4) (Win) (NB)
3.40 Ascot
CATALINA DELCARPIO – (8/1) (Each-Way) (4 places)
4.20 Ascot
OMBUDSMAN – (5/4) (Win) (NAP)
5.00 Ascot
ARCHIVIST – (11/1) (Each-Way) (6 places)
