Friday 19th June 2026
We move on to the fourth day of the Royal Meeting on Friday, and the action gets underway at 2.30 with the Group 3 Albany Stakes over six furlongs. I think that this could be another one for Aidan O’Brien, as SUN GODDESS looks to be the one to beat here under Ryan Moore. She showed significant improvement following her second-placed effort on debut at Naas, when winning impressively by five lengths at the Curragh last time out. Naturally, she should take another big step forward coming into her third start here, and she represents a yard that won this race in recent times with Fairy Godmother and Meditate. A bold showing is likely. The majority of the field here has significant potential, so picking out dangers is tricky. Karl Burke won this last year with Venetian Sun, so his filly Light Of Dawn is of interest in the Wathnan silks, and Silent Beauty was an expensive purchase for Amo Racing, and has every chance of being useful on the back of a winning debut.
The first Group 1 of the afternoon comes up at 3.05 with the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs. The Karl Burke-trained Venetian Sun will be a very warm order at the top of the betting here. She bounced back to form in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time out, and is unbeaten over sprinting distances; she’s the one they all have to beat. However, at the current prices, I’ve tried my hand with a couple of each-way plays against the favourite, the first of which is ALBERT EINSTEIN for Aidan O’Brien, who’s the choice of Ryan Moore here. He’s always been held in high regard by his all-conquering connections, and whilst he has been slightly underwhelming so far this term, he’s steadily got better with each start, with his most recent effort coming at Newbury when second within Listed company. He’ll need to step up again here; however, I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. My other bet in the race is O’Brien’s seemingly second-string, CHARLES DARWIN, who’s the mount of Wayne Lordan. Lordan has already had success on a second-string this week with Great Barrier Reef, and like Albert Einstein, I don’t think we’ve seen the best of another highly-regarded colt in the form of this three-year-old. He was impressive when winning the Norfolk Stakes at this meeting last year, and just didn’t show up at Naas last time out when losing his unbeaten record. I think he can be forgiven for that lacklustre effort, and he could prove to be a big price if he returns to the promise of his two-year-old form.
We move into handicap company at 3.40, with the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes, a Class 2 affair over a mile and four furlongs. As expected, this is highly competitive; however, I quite like the chances of HOPEWELL ROCK here for the team of George Boughey and James Doyle. He’s yet to win a handicap, however, he’s got plenty of strong form in defeat, none more so than when finishing a length and three-quarters behind Daiquiri Bay in third at Newmarket last time out, with that run also coming within Class 2 company. That was also his seasonal reappearance, as well as his first run since being gelded, and he was given a lot to do on that occasion. He remains on the same mark here, and that has to make him of firm interest given that there should be a natural progression on his second start of the season. Warrant Holder looked a progressive type when winning a competitive affair at York last time out. He’s a big danger for the Gosdens, and the more battle-hardened Plage De Havre is another player for Andrew Balding who also ran well at York last time out.
The feature race on Friday at Ascot is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, which takes centre-stage at 4.20 over a mile for the fillies. It’s very hard to see past the Aidan O’Brien-trained PRECISE here, who’s the mount and choice of Ryan Moore. She lost her unbeaten record on her seasonal reappearance in the 1000 Guineas in May; however, she soon put that disappointment behind her at the Curragh last time out when winning the Irish equivalent by two and a half lengths. There’s every chance that she’ll continue to go from strength to strength this term, and she should prove very tough to beat here. Her main danger is highly likely to come from stablemate True Love, who got the better of her at Newmarket, but was firmly put in her place when behind her last time out. She’ll likely be on the premises again here, but I think she may have to settle for second again. You’d be foolish to rule her out, though. Donnacha O’Brien’s Balantina is a very smart filly as well. She won at the Breeders’ Cup when she was last seen, and if she’s ready to go first time up, she could be dangerous under Oisin Murphy.
My final selection of the day comes within the 5.00, and this is the Sandringham Stakes, a Class 2 handicap and another race for the fillies. I like another Irish raider in this particular affair, this time for Donnacha O’Brien with GLYFADA, who’s the mount of Oisin Murphy. She comes into the contest having won her last two starts, albeit in lesser events; however, she showed a promising turn of foot to win going away at Killarney last time out. There could be a lot more to come from her within handicaps, and the jockey booking of Murphy catches the eye. Seet will be very popular with punters at the top of the betting for the Gosdens, as she also comes into the contest having won her last two starts, and makes her handicap debut. The Gosdens also run Symbol Of Majesty, who could outrun a big price here, having not had much luck in the run on handicap debut at Wolverhampton last time out, following back-to-back novice victories.
Friday Selections
Royal Ascot (Day 4)
19/06/2026
2.30 Ascot
SUN GODDESS – (5/4) (Win) (NB)
3.05 Ascot
ALBERT EINSTEIN – (7/1) (Each-Way) (4 places)
CHARLES DARWIN – (11/1) (Each-Way) (4 places)
3.40 Ascot
HOPEWELL ROCK – (9/2) (Each-Way) (5 places)
4.20 Ascot
PRECISE – (4/6) (Win) (NAP)
5.00 Ascot
GLYFADA – (5/1) (Each-Way) (6 places)
