Some day two selections for the 2026 Royal meeting.
- 14:30: Senorita Bonita (4/1)
- 15:05: Limestone (3/1)
- 15:40: Blue Bolt (11/4)
- 16:20: Daryz (NAP) (7/4)
- 17:00: Fifth Column (11/1) E/W (6 places)
- 17:35: Alobayyah (7/2)
- 18:10: Sergei Diaghilev (5/2)
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14:30 Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
Unbeaten in two and already a group winner, Victorious could prove exactly that for trainer Aidan O’Brien, whose debut winners often progress to top honours. However, her draw (5) is a negative given the last five winners all came from stall 10 or higher.
With that in mind, favourite Senorita Bonita is nicely drawn in number ten. She cost 900,000gns at the breeze-ups and instantly delivered by winning on debut at Nottingham for the Crisford’s, a stable that has had success with 2yos at this meeting.
Selection: Senorita Bonita (4/1)
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15:05 Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
In what looks a highly competitive renewal, slight preference is for Limestone. The son of New Bay got the better of Asakir when landing a Listed contest over 1m5f at Navan, and this extra furlong could unlock further improvement.
While Asakir cannot be ruled out and may get closer this time, the chief danger could be Galiyan, who impressed when winning a valuable maiden at Chester and remains a colt with considerable potential.
Selection: Limestone (3/1)
15:40 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
The Goodwood contest that featured Blue Bolt, Kon Tiki and Shes Perfect filling the first three places last month could prove a key piece of form, with all three arriving here with legitimate claims. Blue Bolt is narrowly preferred after signing off her 2025 campaign with a runner-up effort in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket before making a winning return in a Listed event at Goodwood.
Kon Tiki was not beaten far on that occasion and is entitled to come on for the run, making her a serious contender once again.
Group 1 winner Friendly Soul also commands plenty of respect and, on her very best form, would arguably be the one to beat. The 2024 Prix de l’Opéra heroine has the class to take this, but there are obvious concerns. She missed the entirety of the 2025 campaign before being pulled up after taking a false step on her comeback at Haydock 25 days ago.
While she was travelling notably well at the time, it was far from an ideal preparation and, given the lengthy absence and interrupted return, there are simply too many unanswered questions to support her with confidence.
Blue Bolt has less questions to answer than some of her rivals.
Selection: Blue Bolt (11/4)
16:20 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
The day two feature throws up one of the clashes of the season. This promises to be a fascinating showdown between Daryz and Ombudsman, with the vote going to the French raider. The younger of the pair, the four-year-old has enhanced his reputation since landing the Arc last October, backing that up with commanding victories in two further Group 1 contests at Longchamp this season.
Ombudsman sets a high standard, but Daryz looks every inch a superstar and may have the edge. Connections’ Calandagan lowered Ombudsman’s colours in the Champion Stakes over this course and distance last autumn, and Daryz can follow suit.
Selection: Daryz (NAP) (7/4)
17:00 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
Wide open as you’d expect. Cambridgeshire second Indalo tops the betting for last year’s winning trainer Roger Varian and is an obvious candidate.
La Botte was an unlucky second in the Britannia at this meeting last year, and while his form hasn’t been as good since, you’d imagine this has been the target for a while.
Then you’ve got some handicap debutants lurking, such as Scoville, who has also had wind surgery recently.
Four-year-old’s have done well in this handicap in recent years with five of the last six winners coming from that age group. As a result, my eye is drawn towards Fifth Column. Trained by John & Thady Gosden for the powerful Godolphin operation, Will Buick takes the ride on the Kingman gelding who was first home in the unfavoured group in the Britannia at this meeting 12 months ago and looks set to go well.
Selection: Fifth Column (11/1) E/W (6 places)
17:35 Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap)
The fillies’ handicap on last month’s Victoria Cup card could provide the strongest guide to this contest. Radiant Beauty and Song N Dance, filled the first two places over this course & distance and both merit serious consideration.
However, it was Alobayyah who made the biggest impression. Having just her fourth career start, the daughter of Ghaiyyath finished strongly from well off the pace to snatch third, shaping as though she had plenty more to offer. That performance hinted she remains on a workable mark, and with her lightly raced profile suggesting further improvement is forthcoming, she gets the nod.
Selection: Alobayyah (7/2)
18:10 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race)
The inaugural running of this race over 6f looks a particularly intriguing contest. Ireland appears to hold a strong hand, with the Amo Racing-owned Controlla setting the standard after an excellent 25/1 runner-up effort in a Group 3 on debut. However, that Naas card produced a number of unusual results and may be worth treating with a degree of caution.
Aidan O’Brien has surprisingly not won this race since 2022, and he’ll be hoping ante-post favourite Sergei Diaghilev can end that drought and restore Ballydoyle’s dominance. The son of Wootton Bassett made a winning start at the Curragh despite showing signs of inexperience throughout. The form has worked out particularly well since, with both the second and third winning on their subsequent starts, the latter doing so in notably impressive fashion, suggesting it was a race of considerable quality.
Selection: Sergei Diaghilev (5/2)
