Royal Ascot 2026 Tips: Race-by-Race Preview for Day 2

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Wed 17 Jun 2026 04:21

Jon Vine 1 hour ago

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Ombudsman tipped to win the feature Prince Of Wales's Stakes
Other top picks: Armor Supreme, Galiyan, Fifth Column, Pershaada, Gaga Girl, and Celeron
Value bets highlighted in competitive handicaps and juvenile races

Royal Ascot 2026 continues with a blockbuster Wednesday program. (Getty)

Royal Ascot 2026 continues with another cracking card on Wednesday, with the Prince Of Wales's Stakes headlining proceedings.

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 2 Preview
Race 1 - Queen Mary Stakes Tips
Race 2 - Queen's Vase Tips
Race 3 - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Tips
Race 4 - Prince Of Wales's Stakes Tips
Race 5 - Royal Hunt Cup Tips
Race 6 - Kensington Palace Stakes Tips
Race 7 - Windsor Castle Stakes Tips
Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips Recap

Along with the Group 1 feature, punters will sink their teeth into a range of juvenile races, pattern races and handicaps on Wednesday.

Our race-by-race preview for day two of Royal Ascot 2026 is detailed below, while Live Racing & Sports Updates provides the latest previews, analysis and coverage across all sporting codes.

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 2 Preview

Race 1 - Queen Mary Stakes Tips

Only one of the last 13 winners of the Queen Mary Stakes came from a single-figure stall, and that was Campanelle, who went on to win the Commonwealth Cup the following season. That trend could be levelled out this year, as the top three in the market are drawn in stalls 10, five and seven, but it does strengthen the case for looking beyond the obvious contenders.

All of the leading players from last month's Marygate Stakes line up here. Love A Giggle edged out 2. Armor Supreme in a thrilling finish, and it's the runner-up who appeals most.

Diego Dias' filly tracked the front-running Princess d'Orange into contention before switching towards the rail to challenge. Love A Giggle enjoyed a smoother passage down the centre of the track, yet only a photo finish could separate them.

Drawn alongside Princess d'Orange once again, Armor Supreme should get a familiar tow into the race. The determination she showed at York suggests there's more improvement to come.

I'm also surprised to see 19. Pershaada overlooked in the market. Richard Hannon's filly won impressively at Goodwood on her third start after being beaten in two all-weather maidens by Lover Girl and Love A Giggle, both of whom have franked the form since.

Pershaada travelled strongly before surging clear at Goodwood and remains one of the more experienced runners in the field. Open to further improvement and drawn well in stall 23, she looks capable of outrunning her price.

Race 2 - Queen's Vase Tips

The top two in the market make plenty of appeal in this Group 2, but with some concerns over how Limestone will handle quick ground, 3. Galiyan gets the nod.

Andrew Balding's colt was notably green when fourth behind Maho Bay on debut at Newmarket in April. He took a significant step forward at Chester next time, producing a much more polished display to comfortably defeat the highly regarded Joulany.

The Queen's Vase has often favoured lightly raced three-year-olds in recent years, and Galiyan fits that profile perfectly. His sire, Galiway, has produced plenty of quality middle-distance and staying performers.

Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding combined to win this race with Dashing Willoughby, and recent comments suggest they hold this colt in similarly high regard.

Race 3 - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Tips

Blue Bolt and Friendly Soul bring proven Group One form into this year's Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, while Catalina Delcarpio, Falakeyah and Jancis all command respect.

However, 12. Kon Tiki caught the eye behind Blue Bolt at Goodwood on her first start since last year's Royal Ascot. Jane Chapple-Hyam's filly travelled strongly before hitting the front a furlong from home, only to be reeled in late by the favourite.

Kon Tiki went into last year's Coronation Stakes unbeaten and was sent off at a single-figure price. Things didn't go her way that day, as she found trouble in running before being eased once her chance had gone.

Billy Loughnane takes over in the saddle and she is entitled to improve significantly for that comeback effort. Fast ground suited her when she won the Michael Seely Memorial Stakes at York, and conditions should be ideal once again.

Race 4 - Prince Of Wales's Stakes Tips

Aidan O'Brien's decision to run a pacemaker should ensure a truly run contest, which will suit the stamina-laden Minnie Hauk. Even so, she was no match for Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and faces an even tougher task here.

Almaqam commands respect, while Daryz has been excellent in both starts this season, showing a sharper turn of foot than he displayed as a three-year-old.

Francis Graffard has even discussed the possibility of campaigning Daryz over a mile, highlighting his versatility. Yet his only British start resulted in a disappointing effort in last year's Juddmonte International, and similarly quick conditions await him here.

That brings the focus to 6. Ombudsman, who looks the horse to beat. William Buick's mount announced himself at the highest level with a superb Group One success 12 months ago.

Although beaten twice since, Ombudsman enhanced his reputation in defeat before landing major victories in the Juddmonte International and Dubai Turf. He also returned with a determined success in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

With Godolphin deploying a pacemaker to guarantee a genuine gallop, the race should set up perfectly. Ombudsman thrives off a strong tempo and, in these conditions, sets the standard.

Race 5 - Royal Hunt Cup Tips

Only four of the last 16 winners of the Royal Hunt Cup have emerged from a single-figure stall, and most of the pace appears to be drawn middle to high. Two each-way contenders stand out.

The first is 15. Fifth Column, who has already proven himself in quality mile handicaps. His victories include the Esher Cup at Sandown, the bet365 Mile and the Sky Bet Mile Handicap at York.

Following a seasonal return at Newbury, Fifth Column produced a career-best effort in the Suffolk Stakes at Newmarket, looking the likely winner before being outstayed late by Erzinjan.

Dropping back in trip should suit, and he looks capable of winning a race of this nature from a mark of 102.

On the stands' side, 8. Ebt's Guard looks underrated. He ran well in this race last year from an unfavourable draw before winning the mile handicap on Shergar Cup day.

He again advertised his liking for Ascot when narrowly denied in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day. Both runs this season have been encouraging despite carrying big weights.

With a lighter burden here and a favourable draw, Ebt's Guard looks capable of mounting a serious challenge.

Race 6 - Kensington Palace Stakes Tips

In a competitive renewal, the French raider 5. Gaga Girl appeals as an interesting option.

Gerald Mosse's filly arrives in good form after a convincing success at Compiègne in April. She followed that up with a narrow defeat in Listed company at Longchamp last month.

The British handicapper has allotted Gaga Girl an opening mark of 97, which appears fair based on her recent form. Both of her wins have come on good ground, suggesting conditions should suit.

Mosse was renowned for his record at Ascot during his riding career and has made a bright start as a trainer. With Christophe Soumillon retaining the ride and a potentially advantageous draw in stall 24, she looks capable of making her presence felt.

Race 7 - Windsor Castle Stakes Tips

I've generally favoured those drawn away from the inside rail on Wednesday, but the pace setup in this race points towards the lower numbers and makes 6. Celeron particularly appealing.

Mick O'Callaghan's colt was unfancied on debut at the Curragh but travelled strongly throughout before asserting late to win with authority.

The runner-up, One Number, is also prominent in the betting for this contest, giving that maiden form a solid look. Celeron is bred for speed and the booking of Colin Keane adds further confidence.

8. Dance A Jig also warrants consideration. Ralph Beckett's colt endured an interrupted passage on debut at Doncaster but was only narrowly beaten by A Bear Affair.

He then shaped well behind Adaay Of Scarlett at Ascot on Trials Day, looking outpaced before staying on strongly to be beaten just a neck.

It's not unusual for a maiden to land one of Royal Ascot's juvenile contests, and Dance A Jig looks likely to appreciate the step up to six furlongs.

Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips Recap

Race	Tip 1	Tip 2
1	Armor Supreme	Pershaada
2	Galiyan
3	Kon Tiki
4	Ombudsman
5	Fifth Column	Ebt's Guard
6	Gaga Girl
7	Celeron	Dance A Jig

Verdict

Royal Ascot 2026 - Day 2 Preview

Our best & value bets for Royal Ascot day two are:

Galiyan

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Celeron

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Pershaada

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