Day 5 – Royal Ascot 2026
By Alex Sausville
RACE 1 G2 Norfolk Stakes, 5 Furlongs – 2YOs
Top Pick: #6 Force Noir (Selections: 6-3-5)
The juvenile sprints at Royal Ascot always have a bit of chaos built into them, and while #3 CARRY THE FLAG is the obvious starting point after his G3 Marble Hill runner-up, I am willing to take a swing at a slightly better price with #6 FORCE NOIR.
Beaten only a nose on debut at the Curragh over heavy ground, the son of Amo Racing’s own stallion Persian Force came back at Naas and put the field away in professional fashion. The addition of blinkers makes sense for a colt with his speed especially down the straight at Ascot, which makes him more than capable of making the jump.
Race 2: G2 Hardwicke Stakes, 1 1/2 Miles – 4YO & Up
Top Pick: #10 West Wind Blows (Selections: 10-11-4)
For only a Group 2 contest, this shapes up to be one of the better races of the entire week and #11 KALPANA is clearly the right favorite. She loves Ascot, comes in off a win at Newbury, and has already proven she belongs against true Group 1 company over this trip.
That being said, #10 WEST WIND BLOWS is the horse I want to land on at the price. He was only beaten a neck by KALPANA at Newbury last time, and before that ran a huge race when second in the Dubai Sheema Classic behind Calandagan. He is not always the easiest horse to win with playing the bridesmaid role on too many occasions, but he has been knocking on the door against great company and fits the mold of the right value play if he can get into a rhythm early.
Race 3: G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, 6 Furlongs – 4YO & Up
Top Pick: #17 Joliestar (Selections: 17-14-8)
The international sprint division has really shown up in a big way so far this week, and I don’t think it would be wise to diminish the case for #17 JOLIESTAR. She brings high-end Australian sprint form, gets her regular rider James McDonald and looks like the kind of mare who should be perfectly suited by a strongly run six up the Ascot straight.
The Japanese challenge is a serious one through #14 SATONO REVE, who has the profile of a professional sprinter and is not coming here just to make up the numbers. He is the cream of the crop in Japan and needs to be included.
#8 LAKE FOREST is the European runner to keep on the ticket. His best efforts make him dangerous including a strong return last to action following an Australian escapade last fall and he gives this race a bit of local depth against the more obvious international names. Still, JOLIESTAR looks like the most complete package in the race.
Race 4: G3 Jersey Stakes, 7 Furlongs – 3YOs
Top Pick: #17 The Prettiest Star (Selections: 17-12-9)
This is an interesting renewal of the Jersey simply because #12 SABER STRIKE may simply be very good. He is unbeaten, won the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket and gives William Haggas a very logical favorite in a race that often rewards progressive horses.
With that said, I am going to try to beat him with #17 THE PRETTIEST STAR. Her fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas was much better than it may look on paper especially, and the cutback from a mile to seven furlongs could be exactly what she wants. She has already shown strong juvenile form at the distance and with the fillies’ allowance, she feels like the type who can sit close enough and finish.
Race 5: Wokingham Handicap, 6 Furlongs – 3YO & Up
Top Pick: #25 Realign (Selections: 25-6-4)
The Wokingham is exactly the type of Royal Ascot handicap where you can make a case for the majority of the field and still feel you’re leaving out contenders. I am going to side with #25 REALIGN, who looks like a horse still moving in the right direction and who gets into this race with a reasonable weight.
His Carlisle win last time was impressive, and his past experience at Royal Ascot last year makes me less worried about the occasion. He was not disgraced in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse, and now as an older, stronger sprinter, he looks capable of producing a career-best effort for the Wathnan team.
Race 6: Golden Gates Handicap, 1 1/4 Miles – 3YOs
Top Pick: #12 Lost Boys (Selections: 12-2-8)
I tried to find a clever way around #12 LOST BOYS, but he has the right profile for a 3YO handicap at this meeting. He has won three straight, handled Newbury last time in the London Gold Cup, and still gives the impression there is more improvement to come.
The runner-up that day, #2 SAHARA KING, is the one that scares me most. He was only beaten a nose to LOST BOYS and has every right to turn the tables if he gets a cleaner run or if the race shape tips slightly more in his favor.
#8 HARMONICS is a bit of the lightly raced wild card. He won well at Doncaster over this trip and could be better than his current rating, but this is a serious jump in class.
Race 7: Queen Alexandra Stakes, 2 3/4 Miles – 4YO & Up
Top Pick: #1 A Piece of Heaven (Selections: 1-9-8)
A 2 3/4-mile finale at Royal Ascot is always a different kind of puzzle when it comes to handicapping, and I am going to lean on proven stamina with #1 A PIECE OF HEAVEN. He comes in off a Chester Cup win just over 2 1/4 miles and has the right kind of grinding profile for a race where rhythm and staying power matter more than a quick turn of foot.
#9 LE DESTRIER is clearly dangerous as the likely favorite and has been effective over staying trips, but at a short price I am not sure I want to fully trust him to dominate this kind of test. #8 ILLINOIS is the class horse if he finds his old form, and his Gold Cup second at this meeting last year would make him very tough, but his 2026 form does leave at least some questions.
