Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Saturday 20th June 2026

Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Saturday 20th June

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 2.30
Carry The Flag
Same place different day, as Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore dominate Saturday’s card from the off with carry The Flag in the Norfolk Stakes. Got a decent draw here too, if the stand side groups continue to produce more than their fair share of winners this week, and his second to Great Barrier Reef in the Marble Hill last time out is seriously franked form, with that rival scoring for me in the Coventry this week. Wesley Ward’s EZ Tina won impressively at Woodbine, so expect a bullet start outta Stall 3, but that’s the wrong side of the pack for me and with Ascot’s stiff finish asking the stamina question of these two year olds, might just peak too soon. I’d be more worried about Clive Cox’s Orthodox, who is speedily bred and won with a bit to spare at Salisbury, with Kevin Ryan’s Where Love Lives my each-way gamble, if that’s your thing, but Carry The Flag to raise the Ballydoyle colours!

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
Jan Brueghel (nap)
A Group 2 packed like a sardine can with talent, but it’s Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel that is the leader of the pack. The obvious point is whether Jan Brueghel has summat to find with Kalpana from their clash in the King George V And Queen Elizabeth Stakes here last July over course and distance, but having tried to make all in that Group One, before Calandagan showed them all the way, different tactics could be employed. Kalpana might not have reached her ceiling yet, so showing as a short-priced favourite this week is no surprise, while Marco Botti’s Giavellotto and William Haggas’s Santorini Star will both have their supporters, and Ethical Diamond is fascinating for Willie Mullins, with one of the jockeys of the week, Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard. What a thriller, but there’s gonna be plenty of pace on from the off, so Jan Brueghel’s stamina should come through. Caroline?

Jan Brueghel (nap)
Yes, Jaysella, the race of the day for me, and it’s only a Group 2! Well, I’m telling yuzz, this is a Group 2 in name only for me, considering this line up, and I’m also going to go on Jan Brueghel, who I think will be played with plenty of tactical awareness by Ryan Moore. Although Jan Brueghel could take it from the front, there’s no need to do that and with Ryan Moore being so astute in that department, why would he? No, I think that the pace could be left to Santorini Star, or even dual Derby winner, Lambourn, with Ryan Moore keeping tabs on Kalpana, French raider Goliath and Giavellotto, before making a play in the final half mile.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 3.40
Satono Reve
It’s gonna start looking like I’ve got a thing about Ryan Moore when I give you Satono Reve for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. But, Noriyuki Hori’s brilliant sprinter was runner-up in this last year, and in Ryan Moore, we’ve got the best jockey available for Royal Ascot this week on board. Satono Reve is seven now, so not likely to be breaking no new ground, but as he’s been following Ka Ying Rising home a couple of times this season and last, should know what’s required to win this. Australian bullet Overpass lines up again after running in the King’s Stand on Tuesday, and the prolific Joliestar is also there, but Satono Reve it is for me on my Ryan Moore Appreciation Day!!

Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 4.20
The Prettiest Star (nb)
For the Jersey Stakes, the one that shines the brightest for me in this line-up haha!! is Ed Walker’s The Prettiest Star. Fourth in the 1,000 Guineas, but that was her first run this term, so she’s entitled to come on for that, ain’t she? Anyway, a draw in Stall 10 gives James Doyle options, seeing as the majority of the shorter races have been won from stand side stalls, though that’s not conclusively indicative this week. But, trends analysis ain’t the overriding factor for me, gut instinct is, so I reckon The Prettiest Star is gonna shine brightly for James Doyle. Caroline, your thoughts?

Thesecretadversary (nb)
Oh Jaysella, this is just such an open race this Jersey Stakes, but you know I’m taking the chance on Fozzy Stack’s Thesecretadversary. I’m of the opinion that dropping down to a Group 3 could be just the thing for this St Mark’s Basilica colt, as both his wins were over this trip last year, and considering this season’s two runs have been in both the British & Irish 2,000 Guineas, this does look a whole lot easier. Okay Jaysella, how about The Prettiest Star and Thesecretadversary for one of them fancy bets you do love? But, Thesecretadversary I think can win.

Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 5.00
Leovanni
Well, I’m going to take one right out of my back pocket for the Wokingham, and say Leovanni’s gonna cause a bit of a shock. Now, I know there’s all sorts of negatives, being on the wrong side of the draw, having something to prove after a fourth of six in the Listed Hever Sprint Stakes at Lingfield, while Wathnan Racing’s number one jockey James Doyle goes on Realign. However, James McDonald in the hot seat is just fine for me, and a Wind Op in March could always be having an effect, but the real bonus is that Leovanni won the Queen Mary Stakes here last year, so Group 2 form in the book has gotta count for plenty. Four and five year olds have a decent record in this big field Handicap, so Leovanni is my huge each-way gamble of the week!

Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) 5.35
Princling
Princling could be gambled on right in for William Haggas, as he is totally unexposed after just 3 starts on turf, and may well be a Group horse in a Handicap. Fourth in the Silver Bowl last time out, when it was transferred to Carlisle from Haydock, this Kingman colt looked to be crying out for further so this trip I reckon is gonna unlock all that potential. Plus, William Haggas is in good form at the Somerville Lodge yard, and more Royal Ascot success can’t be too far away, with Santorini Star and Princling both running on Saturday. The Wathnan Racing duo of Lost Boys and Sahara King both are at the head of the markets this week, but Princling is just so tempting at around 8/1, so that’s my pick!

Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions Race) 6.10
Illinois
Royal Ascot over 6 days is the biggest and best Flat Racing Festival, bar none, and it finishes with a marathon just to keep all you punters in, spending your money!! So, lets even out the playing field a little bit, cos this final act in the play is going to Illinois. Just look -at the Ascot record – 2024 winner of the Queen’s Vase and 2025 Gold Cup runner-up, Illinois has a better CV than anyone for this, and it would kinda be fitting for Ryan Moore to dance the last dance with the belle of the ball after breaking through the century mark of winners this week. Don’t be going payin’ no attention to his last run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, where he was solely on pacemaker duty, this is Illinois’ race for the taking, capping off a brilliant Festival for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore!