Tomorrow / 14.30 Ascot

14.30

Good To Firm

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £453680
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
ITV
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Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

Form: 211-47 CD

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Returns to the scene of his biggest performance but that 100-1 success in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over C&D (good) still seems something of a fluke, having been seemingly helped by the draw; has failed to back up the form in races won by Opera Ballo and Notable Speech this season, beaten about 7l both times; dubious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Ciceros Gift

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Didn't have the ideal set-up at Sandown (behind Zeus Olympios) on reappearance but still needs to prove the form of his 100-1 success in last year's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II (1m, good) at Ascot, where he was possibly helped by the draw, can be backed up; may be flattered by his mark.

33/1

4th

1

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Ciceros Gift

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Dual C&D winner who finished third in this race last year; returns to Sandown but may be flattered by his new rating, having been perhaps helped by the draw when registering a 100-1 success in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (good) on last appearance; needs to prove he can back up that form.

20/1

Form: 011-16

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Record is 4-8, the most recent success gained comfortably in Newmarket Group 3 on seasonal debut when completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick; disappointing in the Lockinge (1m) since, not looking entirely beaten by the drop back in trip, but he's difficult to write off having been broadly progressive otherwise; rebound is possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(10)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Damysus

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Frankel colt who comfortably defied a 3lb penalty in Group 3 event at Newmarket (good) on seasonal debut, completing a 1m2f/1m1f hat-trick and taking overall record to 4-7; gave the impression he'll be as effective returned to 1m; progressing well and his stable has landed this prize five times, including the last two years; commands respect.

3/1

1st

1

(3)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Damysus

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

Third in good-ground Sandown Classic Trial and second in Group 2 Dante at York (good to firm) last spring; finished last in the Derby but firmly back on track when landing a 1m2f Listed race at Deauville (good to soft) in August and signed off with Group 3 C&D win in October; carries 3lb penalty but holds a Group 1 Lockinge Stakes entry and he's the sort to kick on again this year.

6/4

OUR TIP

Form: 494-13 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Acts on any ground; admirable campaigner whose Listed success at Doncaster in March is flanked by respectable efforts in Group 1 events at Sha Tin; his excellent record over this C&D reads 11322214 and features two wins at Royal Ascot, including narrowly in this contest last term despite rider dropping whip over 1f out (played second fiddle to Charyn, the year's champion miler, in the 2024 edition); solid claims returned to this scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:57 Doncaster

Docklands

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Eustace

Won the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) last June; Ascot brings out the best in him but he's run well in defeat in Group 1s elsewhere since that last win, finishing fourth in the Prix Jacques le Marois in August (good to soft) and the Hong Kong Mile in December when last seen; drops back in grade today and he'll be tough to beat if close to his best.

13/8

4

(12)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Docklands

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Harry Eustace

Excels over this C&D, finishing second in last year's Queen Anne (good to firm) and going one better in that same Group 1 (good to firm) this June; his close fourth in the Group 1 Jacques Le Marois in August was his best non-Ascot career performance and he could play a leading role back here.

12/1

Form: 33433- D

Last run: 179 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Ended his 2025 campaign by finishing third in 1m1f contests won by Damysus and stablemate Opera Ballo; consistent but appears very unlikely to reverse placings with those rivals and is the only runner who lacks recent match practice, being the sole seasonal debutant in the field; drops back to 1m for first time since winning a good handicap in July 2024; one of three runners for his yard and possibly in here as a pacemaker.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

First Conquest

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Held up; Meydan improvement (mostly on on fast ground) was backed up when third in 1m1f Group 3 here in April but, after 116 days off, it's his fourth of seven in Haydock Group 3 (1m2f, good) nine weeks ago on latest start which makes him a leading contender on form.

4/1

4th

1

(3)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

First Conquest

9st 10lb

J: David Probert

T: Charlie Appleby

Won handicap debut at 2024 Newmarket July meeting and next seen adding 1m1f handicap and 1m2f Group 3 wins at Meydan in January; ran creditably in defeat since in a Group 2 there and Group 3 at Newmarket but today's company demands much better, including as he gives weight to all; off 116 days.

16/1

Form: 2114-2

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Usually held up in rear; did very well over 6f/7f last term, including summer wins in a major handicap and Group 2, as well as nearly landing the Wokingham at this meeting; made a cracking first attempt at 1m when only 2l behind Notable Speech (who got first run) in the Lockinge at Newbury on reappearance, taking form figures for current yard to 1121142 and suggesting he's set for another productive campaign; plausibly still improving and promises to be suited by this return to a stiffer course; major contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

More Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Usually held up in rear; raced at 1m1f/1m2f for previous stable; record of 4-6 (over 6f/7f) last term for new yard featured wins in a major handicap at Newmarket and Group 2 at Newbury, both on good to firm ground; respectable fourth in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) on final start; shapes as if this new trip is worth exploring and may rate higher still.

7/1

1st

4

(3)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

More Thunder

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

So nearly got up in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in hat-trick bid and those progressive efforts over 6f were followed by his Bunbury Cup win at Newmarket over 7f, this time getting the better of a narrow verdict; those last two races were on good to firm; better still is needed from him but he looks sure to taste Group-race success at some point and it could be today.

11/4

Form: 211-41 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
High-class miler domestically and internationally, predominantly on good and quicker ground in accordance with his bright turn of foot; readily justified strong market support in the Lockinge at Newbury most recently, registering a fifth success at the top level and looking better than ever; bit to prove at Royal Ascot, having flopped badly in the 2024 St James's Palace Stakes and finished only fourth in this race last year; otherwise a leading player on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Notable Speech

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

High-class miler domestically and internationally, predominantly on good and quicker ground; lacked recent match practice when only fourth in this race 12 months ago; bagged the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes in 2024 and completed a North American Grade 1 double, including Breeders' Cup Mile success, last autumn; had no luck in running at Keeneland on reappearance; leading player on best figures.

9/2

4

(4)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Notable Speech

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

High-class miler who landed the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes last year; on several occasions he has shown a smart turn of foot, suggesting he is blessed with speed, and travelled like a colt who may well prove as effective over shorter; only fourth in two top races this term but reportedly worked well in a gallop last weekend, prompting connections to supplement him for this contest at a cost of £36,000; leading player on best form and the drop in distance is well worth exploring.

5/2

Form: 121-11 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Unraced on ground slower than yielding; made all for 3l success in a particularly good edition of the bet365 Mile (Group 2) at Sandown most recently, defying a 5lb penalty for his Group 1 win at Meydan and taking record to 7-9, as well as reversing Newmarket autumn placings with Zeus Olympios; doesn't necessarily need to dominate; new rating puts him on a par with stablemate Notable Speech and even bigger figures may be on the way; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Opera Ballo

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Progressive colt who readily bagged Group 1 honours at Meydan (1m1f, good) three months ago, taking record to 6-8; however, appears to need further improvement to defy 5lb penalty and was no match for Zeus Olympios in last domestic outing.

8/1

2nd

5

(6)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Opera Ballo

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Pulled too hard and flopped in the Craven but firmly back on track with a hood fitted since, winning Listed events over this trip at Sandown (good) and on the July course (good to firm); particularly impressive in the latter event and he holds a Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes entry; sets a fine standard to aim at.

8/11

Form: 30-481

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Acts particularly well on ground softer than good; very useful 7f performer who prevailed narrowly at Epsom ten days ago for a second success in the Group 3 that was formerly the John of Gaunt Stakes and run at Haydock; ran creditably over 1m in 2024 German 2,000 Guineas but this is a stiffer test at the trip and a stiffer assignment to boot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Ten Bob Tony

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Inconsistent and he disappointed in Listed race at Haydock (7f, good) last time; however, he reportedly lost a shoe and prior to that was an encouraging fourth on his reappearance at the Curragh (7f, soft to heavy); won this race last year (good; at its old home Haydock) and posted fine third in Group 1 Foret at Longchamp (7f, very soft) last October; player if bouncing back.

11/2

8th

11

(5)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 212y

Class 1

15:40 Haydock

Ten Bob Tony

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Reappeared last season with victory in the Group 3 John Of Gaunt over C&D and he signed off the campaign with a fine third in the Group 1 Foret at Longchamp; might have needed the run when fourth in Listed event at the Curragh six weeks ago; versatile in terms of the ground; solid chance.

5/1

Form: 111-33 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Yet to encounter ground softer than good; 4-4 in his first season last year, culminating in Group 2 win at Newmarket where he won going away from Opera Ballo; unable to confirm placings with that opponent at Sandown on reappearance but wasn't disgraced and he subsequently ran better, behind Notable Speech and More Thunder, in the Lockinge at Newbury; may yet tap back into his tremendous earlier progress and prove that he can still become a top miler; remains of major interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Zeus Olympios

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Very progressive and unbeaten (4-4) in his first season last year, culminating in Group 2 win at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) where he won going away; finished third, tasting first defeat but not disgraced, at Sandown on reappearance; may resume improvement with that outing under his belt and show that he's still a likely candidate for high ranking in the miling division this term; big player.

7/2

3rd

3

(1)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Zeus Olympios

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

Highly progressive in his first campaign last year and still unbeaten (4-4); won going away from Opera Ballo in Group 2 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) on final start; remains one to follow and has the makings of a Group 1 colt this term; commands respect.

9/4

Betting Forcast

50/1 Ciceros Gift, 12/1 Damysus, 11/2 Docklands, 66/1 First Conquest, 4/1 More Thunder, 13/8 Notable Speech, 7/2 Opera Ballo, 50/1 Ten Bob Tony, 7/1 Zeus Olympios

Verdict

Charlie Appleby has had just one winner from 36 runners at Royal Ascot in the last three years but he holds a very strong hand in the 2026 opener, with Notable Speech and Opera Ballo heading this field on ratings. Those two big guns command major respect but another chance is given to ZEUS OLYMPIOS, who looked so promising last term and whose two efforts this season suggest it's well worth keeping the faith in him. The selection stepped up on his reappearance effort when running creditably in the Lockinge in his first Group 1 attempt and may be on his way to resuming the great progress he showed in 2025. More Thunder (second choice) has very solid claims and is unexposed over 1m, while last year's winner and course specialist Docklands is also firmly in the mix.[Steve Boow]

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Opera Ballo

SPOTLIGHT:

Zeus Olympios

POSTDATA:

Notable Speech