Day 4 – Royal Ascot 2026
By Alex Sausville
RACE 1 G3 Albany Stakes, 6 Furlongs – 2YO Fillies
Top Pick: #21 King’s Prize (Selections: 21-11-15)
I am not overly thrilled about kicking off Friday’s card with a short-priced favorite, but following an impressive second-up score at The Curragh, #21 SUN GODDESS is clearly the horse to beat as the lone Coolmore representative in this spot.
That being said, do not sleep on the Newmarket maiden winner #11 JOLIVETTE, who put together a big performance on debut in a race that looks to hold some of the strongest form among the UK runners. If she can take another step forward, she has every right to make her presence felt.
Race 2: G1 Commonwealth Cup, 6 Furlongs – 3YO Colts and Fillies
Top Pick: #17 Havana Anna (Selections: 17-19-21)
With little to no interest in backing the likes of #1 ALBERT EINSTEIN, my eyes are locked on another Irish raider, this time for a different O’Brien, in #17 HAVANA ANNA.
She put together a strong first-up run at Naas after returning from a lackluster trip to the Breeders’ Cup, but prior to that she had shown top-notch form over sprinting trips. She gets the fillies’ weight allowance, appears to be rounding back into herself at the right time, and looks capable of producing a strong performance here.
Race 3: Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap), 1 1/2 Miles – 3YO & Up
Top Pick: #4 Warrant Holder (Selections: 4-10-11)
So far, we are yet to see the royal colors flash their way into the winner’s enclosure, but this is where I believe that could change.
#4 WARRANT HOLDER comes in off back-to-back victories, and William Buick stays aboard after a nice win at York last time out. While his best win over this distance came on the all-weather, he showed more than enough that day to suggest he is only getting better as a 4YO. The wide draw is the only real concern, but if anyone can put the horse in the right spot, it’s Buick.
Race 4: G1 Coronation Stakes, 1 Mile – 3YO Fillies
Top Pick: #1 Balantina (Selections: 1-4-9)
Time to continue the game of which Coolmore 3YO filly will triumph this time around, and whether third time is the charm for Ryan Moore when it comes to #3 PRECISE and #9 TRUE LOVE.
This time, I do think the third time will be the charm for Ryan, and PRECISE can get the better of her stablemate again. However, that does not necessarily mean she crosses the wire first.
#1 BALANTINA showed us all what she is capable of with an emphatic victory at Del Mar last November, and while we have not seen her since, I am willing to take the chance on her fresh first-up. That feels more appealing than siding with two fillies who have already hit their main targets back-to-back and now come in as the class of the field, but not necessarily with this as their primary objective (at least True Love anyway, Precise could prove too much to beat which is why it’s important to use them both).
I’ll use PRECISE and BALANTINA in the exotics, and I am happy to leave TRUE LOVE off the ticket this time around.
Race 5: Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) 1 Mile – 3YO Fillies
Top Picks: #3 Hope Queen (Selections: 3-30-7)
Throw out that last run in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, and #3 HOPE QUEEN would be coming into this contest as a leading contender, rather than sitting at a double-digit price at this stage.
She handled the jump from a Class 5 into stakes company quite well prior to that, and it would not be much of a surprise if she shortens up in the market as we get closer to the start. Hopefully, for my U.S. odds, that will not be the case and we can get a nice price.
Race 6: G2 King Edward VII Stakes, 1 1/2 Miles – 3YO Colts & Geldings
Top Picks: #5 Venetian Prince (Selections: 5-6-1)
I am going to go a bit out wide here with a horse who understandably will be a big price, but one who has caught my eye over time and looks capable against a field that, for a Group 2 contest, feels a touch below par.
#5 VENETIAN PRINCE has been competitive against good company to this point in his career for Andrew Balding, and he made the trip over to Italy to win this year’s G2 Derby Italiano. Now, I have watched an ungodly amount of Italian racing over the past three to four months, and even with that said, I can admit the Derby Italiano form lines are a bit lackluster compared to other Classics.
Still, I would have been interested in giving this horse a shot regardless. He still needs to fully break through in stakes company in the UK, but he has shown enough signs to suggest that moment could be right around the corner.
Race 7: Palace Of Holyroodhouse (Handicap) 5 Furlongs – 3YOs
Top Pick: #14 Westport (Selections: 14-2-22)
Nothing screams Royal Ascot more than 31 three-year-olds storming five furlongs down the straight, and despite coming in off a three-race win streak to begin his career, #14 WESTPORT still looks decently well treated in the weights and has really caught the eye.
Billy Loughnane was aboard for his debut performance at Lingfield and now finds his way back onto a horse who is stepping up a bit in class, but on numbers looks right there with this field. While the American contingent of #6 BACIO and #7 SANDAL’S SONG provides a decent challenge. I am going to stick with the red-hot George Boughey team and see if they can make it four on the bounce with an up-and-coming stable star.
