Royal Ascot selections Tuesday 16th June
The big meeting of the year is upon us again and the weather looks set fair and the going quick for Royal Ascot 2026. As usual we have a blockbuster start with three Group 1 races and I have a selection in the first of those, plus ones in the final three races where the Irish contingent looks very strong. We had a couple of placed each-way bets on Saturday, Miraculous (SP 5/1) and Red Spells Danger (advised 9/2).
Ascot 2.30: More Thunder
A horse that progressed through the handicap ranks at distances below a mile last season, MORE THUNDER proved he belongs in Group 1 company when chasing home Notable Speech in the Lockinge and this track favouring hold up performers more can see him to maximum effect today.
This horse was originally campaigned as a middle distance performer by Michael Stoute before his retirement, but William Haggas saw him as a speedier type and he won on his first two starts for his current yard over 6f at Newmarket last spring. He just failed to get up and win the Wokingham at the Royal meeting last year, showing he needed a longer distance.
He made no mistake over 7f in the Bunbury Cup next time and ended his campaign with a fair fourth in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. He looked as good as ever at Newbury on his return, and seemed to stay every yard of the mile. This undulating and straight mile promises to bring out the best in this horse and he rates value against the favourite.
Ascot 5.00: Reaching High & Comfort Zone
Having endured no luck in running in this race last year, REACHING HIGH will hope to give his royal connections better luck this time in the Ascot Stakes.
Another one to transfer from Michael Stoute on his retirement, it seems inevitable that Willie Mullins will eke out some improvement from this 5yo at some point and the fact he has not raced since this race last year is not an issue where the master trainer is concerned. Indeed had he raced since it is likely he would have been rated too highly to get in.
A winner over 14f as a 3yo, stamina looks to be his strong point being a son of Gold Cup winner Estimate and stall 8 looks as good a berth as any to avoid getting stuck on the inner again without being forced too wide.
At more rewarding odds, COMFORT ZONE can at least repeat his placed efforts from last year when the same pilot Tom Marquand was on board.
This thorough stayer does enjoy top of the ground conditions and we can forget his two runs so far this campaign on ground too soft and a trip too short. He stayed this marathon trip strongly last year when beaten less than a length in third and is only a pound higher today.
Ascot 5.35: Gaucher & Haatem
Willie Mullins has claims in this too with GAUCHER who looks to be a forgotten horse in the betting.
Admittedly he has to prove his worth on turf on the flat having run to a high standard over hurdles (mainly on decent ground), but showed plenty of ability on the All Weather over the winter. He almost defied a mark of 106 when second on Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday and is well worth a try in pattern company.
He was probably too headstrong to reach the top over hurdles, where seeing out 2m was a bit of an issue, but good ground was definitely what he wanted and perhaps 10f on the flat is what he actually needs. A wide margin win at Dundalk at 10f over subsequent Chester Cup winner A Piece of Heaven shows what he is capable of.
You cannot ignore the claims of HAATEM who bids to follow up his win in this last year and could land a Royal Ascot hat-trick today.
He was given a very easy time of things when down the field on his comeback at Goodwood, but that was surely just a means to and end in this race. He put in two modest performances in races last spring before coming here, but seems to come alive at this meeting.
A strongly run 10f seems to suit and ground conditions are identical to when he won this last year and won the 2024 Jersey. Stall 2 means he will travel less distance than most into the early first bend.
Ascot 6.10 ASCENDING
With only a 6lb range between top and bottom weight, this is a handicap only in name and the one at the top of the list ASCENDING looks the one to beat.
I did not think he would stay 2m4f in the Ascot Stakes, but he did to hold off a very strong field that day. However he does not lack for pace and a second place in the Ebor over this 14f trip in August shows he has enough speed to compete here.
He is another who was given an easy time on his comeback in a Group 3 here last month, but again that was surely just a stepping stone for the big meeting. Stall 6 is a good draw given another short run to the first bend, he is very much at home on quick ground and with course form assured he looks excellent each-way value.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – More Thunder – 2.30 Ascot – 4/1 general (1/5 odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Comfort Zone – 5.0 Ascot – 25/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt win – Reaching High – 5.0 Ascot – 2/1 general
1pt each-way – Haatem – 5.35 Ascot – 8/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
0.5pts each-way – Gaucher – 5.35 York – 28/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Ascending – 6.10 Ascot – 12/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
