Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Tuesday 16th June 2026

Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Tuesday June 16th

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 2.30
Notable Speech
Wow!! What an opener have we got for the Queen Anne! Now then, there’s gonna be lots of you on Docklands, who is just a different beast here at Ascot, beating my selection Rosallion by a nose in this last year, but after a bit of a quiet spell, I reckon Charlie Appleby has turned a corner at the Moulton Paddocks yard, so Notable Speech and Opera Bello must be given huge respect. Opera Ballo did beat Field Of Gold at Sandown last time out in the bet365 Mile, and he’s been off for a break since that April date, but Notable Speech was oh so impressive in the Lockinge at Newbury that I think he’s the way to go. More Thunder just gets better and better every time, and was closing in on Notable Speech in the Lockinge, so must go close, and I think that’s my one-two. Caroline?

Docklands
Well Jaysella, horses for courses for me, because you just can’t put Docklands down back here at Ascot. Of course, it’s the first race of the Festival, so it will be interesting to see which side of the draw works out better, with Notable Speech in Stall 1, but Docklands is in 4 so Mark Zahra has options, and he was very good the last day at Sha Tin, finishing less than a length behind Koby’s pick, My Wish in the Champions Mile. Yep, got to to be Docklands for me, with More Thunder the danger.

Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
Great Barrier Reef
So, the Coventry, and I’ve gotta tell you, I think that Ryan Moore might be on the wrong one with Confucius! Dare I say that? Well, it took a while for Ryan to get Great Barrier Reef up to top gear in the Marble Hill at The Curragh, but he was mighty good once he did, and that could suit this stiff finish at Ascot. That said, Ryan Moore don’t get it wrong too often, so you pays your money and you takes your choice! We all know how good Eve Johnson Houghton is with her two year olds, so Night In Vegas would be my each way pick, but I’ll take the chance on Great Barrier Reef for the win.

King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3.40
Night Raider
I’ve gotta go for Karl Burke’s Night Raider for the King Charles. You know this is gonna be fast and furious, but James Doyle has options here if the Australian raider Overpass or Jim Goldie’s American Affair are setting the fractions out at the front, he could drop Night Raider in or take it on like he did in the Palace House at Newmarket. Asfoora’s back for more having won this in 2024, but hasn’t set the world alight yet this term, so I could see Mick Appleby’s Big Mojo in the places as an each-way steal, if that’s your bag, and Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayevka should not be overlooked. Night Raider for me! Caroline?

Night Raider
Yes JC, Night Raider does look a tempting one for this 5 furlong dash. As you say, it is going to be fast and furious, and I’m thinking that the Australian speedster Overpass is sure to try and burn them all off from the front. But as Night Raider showed in the Temple Hill at Haydock Park, he can be played late, so James Doyle has all the options. Yes, easy enough for me, Night Raider as my next best.

St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Colts) 4.20
Bow Echo (nap)
Just brilliant in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, looking imperious in the paddock and did not disappoint. Of course, the one-two from that Newmarket Classic, Bow Echo and Gstaad face up to each other again, though Gstaad has added the Irish 2,000 Guineas to his CV since, while George Boughey has kept Bow Echo wrapped up specifically for this Group One. I can’t feel in my gut a reversal of that Newmarket race, so it’s Bow Echo for me with Gstaad chasing him home! Caroline, your thoughts?

Gstaad
I’m sorry Jaysella, but I’m going against yuzz for this one, because I do think that Gstaad improved a huge amount in the 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh. And, by his own admission, Aidan O’Brien didn’t have his Classic runners peaking for that first weekend in May, but golly he’s got them all right on spec now! I would be putting 3 lengths between Gstaad’s run at Newmarket and what he did at The Curragh, so even if Bow Echo runs to that same level, I still think Gstaad will beat him. I know that’s a big call to make, given the reverence for Bow Echo after that stunning Classic win, but it’s Gstaad for me for my nap.

Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 5.00
Reaching High
Well, it would be fitting if old Charlie boy and the Queen got a winner on day one of the Royal Festival, and Reaching High is the one to make the dream come true. I’d be delighted for the King, having had some ups and downs in the last couple of years, and you’ve gotta admit, Reaching High is trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ryan Moore, so so not only just bred in the purple right? For all that, he looked a bit of a short price earlier this week at around 9/4, but was still coming through strong in this race last year having got a bit stuck on the inner rail in the last 3 furlongs, so I reckon Ryan Moore will be looking for a better track position this year. And, I’m sure this has been the aim for this term, before the Irish St Leger in September.

Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 5.35
Haatem (nb)
It’s a pretty open race this Wolferton, but last year’s winner Haatem must have a great chance of following up. Sure to have come on for his run at Goodwood, where Sean Levey didn’t knock the spots off ‘im once he’d run his race within the final furlong, but surely this has been the target for Richard Hannon’s Phoenix Of Spain horse. I’d guess James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye, last year’s second Galen and Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Ghostwriter would be in there somewhere, but I’ll take my chance with Haatem.

Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 6.10
Gamrai
I’ve got the closer down to a straight fight between William Haggas’s Valiancy and John & Thady Gosdens’ Gamrai. And I’m edging towards Gamrai, given that this good to firm ground should suit, and a certain Oisin Murphy in the hot seat does add to the case for. He did look to have the Boodles Handicap won going into the dip at Newmarket last time out, but Daiquiri Bay under Rossa Ryan reeled him in. With Daiquiri Bay back, Oisin is gonna be timing his run carefully, but Gamrai hasn’t reached his ceiling on turf yet, so gets my vote!