I had the pleasure of meeting Alex Sausville in the early days of In the Money Media, when he was a student in the U of A program. Since then he’s also completed programs at the Irish National Stud and with Godolphin Flying Start. He’s worked internationally and abroad in the industry, and I still owe him donner at Pennell’s for a winner he gave me two Ascots ago. He is being kind enough to share his thoughts with us. Take it away, Alex!
“And So It Begins” Day 1 – Royal Ascot 2026
By Alex Sausville
RACE 1 G1 Queen Anne Stakes, 1 Mile Turf for 4YOs and Up
Top Pick: #7 Opera Ballo (Selections: 7-9-6)
The lidlifter on this special week of racing kicks off with a familiar force in #6 NOTABLE SPEECH headlining the market, but I’m willing to take a swing against him with his progressive stablemate #7 OPERA BALLO. He has done little wrong while developing into one of Europe’s leading milers, with his dominance in Dubai followed by a strong return to UK soil in the G2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown. That performance proved his improvement was no fluke, and at a significantly better price, he feels well worth the chance to turn the tables.
Outside of the two Godolphin runners, #9 ZEUS OLYMPIOS also offers appeal at a price. He has finished third behind this pair in each of his last two starts, but he comes into this third-up and still gives the impression of a progressive type. He may need another step forward to win, but at the price, he is a very usable alternative underneath and another reason to be willing to oppose Notable Speech at short odds.
Race 2: G2 Coventry Stakes, 6 Furlongs – 2YOs
Top Pick: #17 Ruler’s Pride (Selections: 17-10-14)
It is easy to understand why many will want to land on #5 CONFUCIUS in this spot. He is an extremely well-bred son of G1-winning juvenile Millisle, brings race experience, and comes off an impressive score at Naas last time out. That said, the form surrounding his early races has not been quite as strong as some of the better O’Brien juvenile standards, and in a race with so many unknowns, there are simply too many question marks to be taking as a short price of around 2-1 at this stage.
I am willing to fade the favorite and let him beat me, as I landed on #17 RULER’S PRIDE, who comes in as part of the strong Wathnan Racing contingent at the Royal Meeting. The son of Mehmas won very well on debut at Ayr and now gets the services of Australian champion jockey James McDonald, a rider who has made a living up the six-furlong straight at Flemington. There is no reason to think he cannot be just as effective over this stiff Ascot straight, and at the price, Ruler’s Pride offers far more appeal.
Race 3: G1 King Charles III Stakes, 5 Furlongs – 3YO & Up
Top Pick: #9 Overpass (Best Bet) (Selections: 9-26-16)
The returning ASFOORA has been the standard-bearer for Australian success in the European sprint ranks, including her victory in this contest two years ago. This year however a fellow Aussie may bring the right blend of experience, class, and raw speed to put this race away in the form of #9 OVERPASS.
He has knocked on the door in some of Australia’s strongest sprint races and has never been short of miles, or kilometers, while showing his true ability across a variety of setups. He has captured two editions of Western Australia’s premier Group 1 sprint and has also won their newest $5 million slot race twice in its short history. While the depth of that form may not quite match the elite races in Sydney or Melbourne, it still stacks up very well against what Asfoora has produced. In the broader picture of the world’s top sprinters, Overpass belongs right in the conversation.
Race 4: G1 St James’s Palace Stakes, 1 Mile – 3YOs
Top Pick: #1 Bow Echo (Selections: 1-2-5)
I am not going to try and reinvent the wheel here, as #1 BOW ECHO looks like one of the best three-year-olds in Europe and will take the world of beating. He gets similar conditions to what we saw in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and a repeat of that effort should make him very tough to deny.
#2 GSTAAD is the main danger, though I am not convinced he will be much of one if Bow Echo runs his race. #5 PUERTO RICO should ensure an honest pace for his stablemate, but he is capable in his own right and could give them something to think about if left alone up front. Bow Echo may not offer much value at the price, but he is not one I want to play against.
Race 5: Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 2 ½ Miles – 4 & Up
Top Picks: #16 Puturhandstogether & 1 Beylerbeyi (Selections: 16-1-20)
One thing I can guarantee in this field is that there will be value elsewhere if the royal runner #4 REACHING HIGH continues to take money. He is currently as short as 2-1 in the market, yet his form over the past year would barely inspire me to make him the favorite in this spot.
That said, finding the winner of this 2 1/2-mile contest is no easy task. I landed on #16 PUTURHANDSTOGETHER, who has had success on the flat over these types of distances but has spent most of his recent preparation over hurdles. His return to the flat at Chester was slightly disappointing, but there is every chance that was merely a prep run to get his feet back underneath him and have him ready for a bigger effort here.
The other one to consider at a price is #1 BEYLEYBEYI, who was overmatched in the G3 Ormonde but has proven effective when facing this level of company over staying trips. That includes his win in Newmarket’s famed Cesarewitch Handicap last year, making him an interesting alternative at a price.
Race 6: Wolferton Stakes, 1 1/4 Miles – 4 & Up
Top Picks: #9 Haatem (Selections: 9-16-15)
They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that applies perfectly to backing #9 HAATEM when he turns up at the Royal Meeting. He won the G3 Jersey Stakes here as a three-year-old before returning to take this race last year, both at fair prices for the bettors, myself included.
His seasonal debut wasn’t great, but I am not overly concerned, as he was also a lackluster fourth in a French Listed race last year before finding his best again at Ascot. I am excited to see him back here and expect the real Haatem to arrive once the gates open.
Race 7: Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 1 3/4 Miles – 4 & Up
Top Pick: #10 Valiancy (Selections: 10-12-11)
#10 VALIANCY is a deserving favorite based on his last couple of efforts and with James Doyle aboard the leading Wathnan contender, he should be hard to beat if producing his best.
There is no trip to Flemington for U.S. star Johnny Velazquez this season, but he gets a very live chance here aboard #12 AERONAUTIC. He comes in off a modest Dubai campaign, but the freshening should help and the distance should be no issue.
#11 GREEN CAPE may be a touch below what is needed to win, but he was a capable galloper in France and showed some improvement in the UAE this year, worth an underneath look.
