Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Wednesday 17th June 2026

Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Wednesday 17th June

Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) 2.30
Victorious
Oh yes, what an opener for Wednesday!! The Queen Mary, the 5 furlong dash for the two year old fillies could go to anyone, but I’m taking my chance on Aidan O’Brien’s Victorious. She did still look a bit green to me in the Coolmore Stud Sprint Stakes at Naas last month, but although the official distance was a neck to Robson Aguiar’s Controlla, she actually won with plenty in hand once Ryan Moore had her going in a straight line. There’s been a bit of support in the markets for Simon & Ed Crisfords’ Senorita Bonita, who won well with a late dash under Oisin Murphy at Nottingham on her debut under rules, but might have flattered to deceive given that brilliant ride. Now, I’ve got Koby here to talk about Ruiva, who looks a cracking each way gamble to me, but it’s Victorious for the win. Koby?

Ruiva
Yo JC, so good to be in with you hun for Royal Ascot. And, as yall know, it’s Wesley Ward’s annual pilgrimage to Berkshire. I mean jeez, millions go to Mecca every year, but only one Wesley Ward comes to Royal Ascot, that’s how important it is!! So, down to the quick man, it’s all about Ruiva, who’s just rated fastest filly for her age this year on the Beyer Scale back in the States. I know she’s no Favourite Trick, but hey, who is? Here, she’s in the Queen Mary, outta Gate 16 where she can just burn them off from the get go!! I’ll bet she’s in front after 2 furlongs, if any of you kids wanna take me on, but no shit man, this could be immense is she holds on! Place or show looks nailed on from here JC!!

Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 3.05
Limestone (nap)
Well, Caroline gave Limestone for the Yeats Stakes last time out at Navan, and the result was never in doubt once Dylan Browne McMonagle pushed the button. And you just know this New Bay colt is gonna be even better on this quicker ground, so this Queen’s Vase is an easy one for me. Johnny Murtagh’s Asakir wasn’t far behind in that Yeats race, but to me still has a bit to find on this ground, while Andrew Balding’s Galiyan under Oisin Murphy looks popular in the markets. I can’t see beyond Limestone, – what’s your angle Caroline?

Limestone (nap)
Oh yes, if you hadn’t been putting Limestone at the top of your list, I’d be asking yuzz why? This colt a very good prospect, and it’s just a bit of a winning combination, Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle right now, so I have no hesitation in backing you up on Limestone for the Queen’s Vase.

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) 3.40
Catalina Delcarpio
I’ve gotta tell you, this one is a bit tricky, but Caroline tells me that Catalina Delcarpio is the one to look out for, and that’s good enough for me. She reckons that this quicker ground will suit her action, and looking back at her last 2 furlongs at Leopardstown in the Amethyst Stakes, I’m on board with that view. For me, Blue Bolt makes an obvious favourite on last year’s form, while Friendly Soul drops back in trip after hitting false ground at Haydock Park last time, but this shorter trip and confidence on track must ask a question. Cathedral has been running at the highest level, so cannot be brushed over, but Catalina Delcarpio is my Wednesday wild card!! Caroline….your on the hook hun!!

Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) 4.20
Ombudsman (nb)
Wow!! The race of the day for Wednesday. We’ve got the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Daryz lining up against the brilliant Ombudsman, who I’ve gotta tell you just tops my list as soon as his name is on the card. But, and it’s a big but, has Ombudsman hit his ceiling, cos in Daryz, we have what could be the horse of a generation, truly. We’ll get over to Marie-Francoise for her view in a bit, but chuck in last year’s dual Oaks winner, Minnie Hauk, who was second to Daryz in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year, and Almaqam, winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup just a few weeks ago, and this is race on! RACE ON!! But, a girl’s gotta go with her gut, and that’s Ombudsman, who don’t have to take on Calandagan this time. Fingers Crossed! Marie-Francoise?

Daryz (nb)
Oolala Jaysella, what a fantastic race!! But you are very very right when you say that Ombudsman must be at the top of your lists, when you see his name for this race that he won last year, and plus, I was not very convinced that Daryz would be so good over this trip, but when he won the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp I was then sure how good he can be. D’accord, Almaqam is also one of the very best, and Minnie Hauk must not be without respect, but Daryz will be winning this, I am sure.

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) 5.00
Fifth Column
Always said to be the trickiest of the big Handicaps at Royal Ascot to win, given the size of the field and the luck in running required, but Fifth Column looks a decent each-way angle. There’s too many to go through in detail here, but Richard Hannon’s Classic is always likely to give it a good shot, and stablemate Linwood with Jamie Spencer up top should be on anyone’s list. Fifth Column has my dough, but Linwood and Classic look viable alternatives in a wide open race. Anyway forecast looks a tempter….just saying!

Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) 5.35
Zgharta
Well, I did back Zgharta for the Fillies’ Handicap here last month, and despite that lowly finish, I’m giving here another chance back here. That means of course she’s gotta get in front of Radiant Beauty, Song N Dance and Alobayyah, the one-two-three in that race, but it was Zgharta’s first run this term so I’d be expecting a bit of improvement. I reckon that the winner’s gonna be coming out of these four, and a nice little exotic is tempting to me, but I’ll leave that to you with everything crossed!

Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) 6.10
Controlla
Okay then, on the basis that Victorious is gonna win the Queen Mary, Robson Aguiar’s Controlla can take the Listed Windsor Castle. There was only a neck between them in that Fillies Group 3 last time out at Naas, so Controlla probably has too much for Sergei Diaghilev, who looks the best of the rest. Clive Cox does well with his Sprinters, so Boleto rates a live outside chance for your each-way perms, but I’ll have Controlla for the win.