Day 3 – Royal Ascot 2026
By Alex Sausville
RACE 1 Chesham Stakes, 7 Furlongs – 2YOs (Sires who won over a mile and a quarter or over)
Top Pick: #6 Revels (Selections: 6-1-13)
The restricted Chesham Stakes is always a tricky contest each year, and with Coolmore continuing their strong run at the Royal Meeting so far, it is only right to note that #1 AIX LA CHAPELLE should take plenty of beating after a strong maiden win at The Curragh.
From a value standpoint, I am willing to take a shot with #6 REVELS, who finished off well at Redcar last time out and looked to still have a bit in hand when hitting the line. He will need to take another step forward, but at the price, he is worth a swing in what looks like a tricky race to kick off the card.
Race 2: King George V Stakes, 1 1/2 Miles – 3YOs
Top Pick: #12 Into The Light (Selections: 12-9-13)
This race features a slew of rivals stepping up in trip and looking to find their best over the (Epsom) Derby distance, but it may be the horse stepping back up in trip this time who has shown enough class to take down this field.
#12 INTO THE LIGHT ran well enough over this distance two starts back, and from a pedigree standpoint, he should have no issue continuing to progress with added distance and experience. With William Buick aboard for the Godolphin camp, he looks like the horse to beat in this contest.
Race 3: G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, 1 1/2 Miles – 3YO Fillies
Top Pick: #5 Gilded Prize (Selections: 5-8-2)
With Juddmonte holding the keys to the prize in the G2 Ribblesdale, it is the Chantilly-based contender who I feel can turn the tables on her locally trained stablemate.
#5 GILDED PRIZE represents the French connection of Francis-Henri Graffard, and while she does come off one disappointing effort over soft ground in the G2 Prix Saint-Alary, she has otherwise showcased the ability to make a real splash on better ground. If she can bounce back to that level here, she looks capable of playing a major role and turning over the more fancied #9 LEGACY LINK.
Race 4: G1 Gold Cup, 2 1/2 Miles – 4YOs & Up
Top Pick: #7 Carmers (Selections: 7-6-10)
I am willing to take a bit of a shot here with a horse I have been waiting to see progress from, and I think it may finally be starting to come to fruition. #7 CARMERS has been as consistent as they come outside of the favorites in this field, and he returned with a strong second-up run in Ireland over the two-mile trip. I think he can handle the distance, and at the price, he is worth taking a swing with against #10 SCANDINAVIA and #6 TRAWLERMAN, the two clear leaders of the division.
Race 5: Britannia Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1 Mile – 3YO Colts & Geldings
Top Picks: #3 Organise (Selections: 3-9-11)
This looks like a race primed for success for the Wathnan Racing brigade, and it is the choice of James Doyle, #3 ORGANISE, who demands the most appeal of the group. By the red-hot sire Night Of Thunder, he has handled this distance well in his last two starts and looks like one of the more promising prospects in this field. With the right run, he appears to have every chance to put himself firmly in the mix.
Race 6: G3 Hampton Court Stakes, 1 1/4 Miles – 3YOs
Top Picks: #5 Glacius (Selections: 5-3-7)
I am more than happy to take on the leading fancy in this field, #6 ITALY, who gets Wayne Lordan aboard while Ryan Moore opts for stablemate #3 ENDORSEMENT.
This looks like a race with real upset potential, as the main contenders do not stand out enough to warrant short-priced favoritism. #5 GLACIUS may be bred more for speed, which leaves a slight question over the step up in trip, but he has hit the line well in each of his first few starts over a mile and made the jump into strong stakes company at Newmarket last time out. He holds solid form, including a run behind Bow Echo at Haydock and at the price he looks well worth the investment.
Race 7: Buckingham Palace Stakes – 7 Furlongs – 3 & Up
Top Pick: #2 The Wizard Of Eye (Selections: 2-17-13)
For the finale on the day, I am leaning toward the horse with as much Ascot experience as anyone in the field, #2 THE WIZARD OF EYE.
He has two wins over the course, including last time out in what served as his preparation for the Buckingham Palace. Now in the barn of Tom Clover, his three starts last year for Josh Moore all came at Ascot, including a sixth-place finish in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
He may be a touch high in the handicap for this run, but the horse-for-course angle is worth leaning into here, especially with a runner who has shown the ability to round into form and has proven himself against better company in recent times.
