June 17 / 16.20 Ascot

16.20

Good To Firm

Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

  • Prize money: £567100
  • 1m 1f 212y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV
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Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.01

Form: 212-11 CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won this by 2l last year (good to firm) and he's added two further Group 1 wins since; confirmed his wellbeing when defying a penalty in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago following a two-month break; this is a tougher line-up than 12 months ago and he was runner-up to Daryz's stablemate Calandagan in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good) last October, so he's not bombproof, but he has extremely strong credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(8)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Ombudsman

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won this by 2l last year (good to firm) and he's added two further Group 1 wins since; confirmed his wellbeing when defying a penalty in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago following a two-month break; this is a tougher line-up than 12 months ago and he was runner-up to Daryz's stablemate Calandagan in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good) last October, so he's not bombproof, but he has extremely strong credentials.

11/8

1st

1

(5)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

19:12 Sandown

Ombudsman

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Second in this last year on his reappearance and he's won three Group 1 races since (1m2f/1m1f, good to firm/good), the latest the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March on his sole outing this year; John Gosden has said that this is "going to bring him on to where we want him at (Royal) Ascot" but he'll be very tough to beat under a 7lb penalty if close to the top of his game.

8/11

11/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 126-15 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
1m4f Group 1 wins last summer in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks (good to soft-good to firm) before taking on males in the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) and finishing a clear second to Daryz, beaten just a head; reappeared with a Group 2 win at the Curragh (1m2f, good) and, while she has something to prove after a disappointing run there in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5f, good), she may well be in the mix if she's back to her best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:35 Ascot

Minnie Hauk

9st 6lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

1m4f Group 1 wins last summer in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks before head second in the 1m4f Arc at Longchamp; back on song when runner-up in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes here (1m2f, good to firm) last month and, although she was beaten 4l and Ryan Moore rides stablemate Benvenuto Cellini today, she was behind the brilliant Ombudsman and could build on that latest effort now she's back up to 1m4f.

6/1

2nd

7

(5)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Minnie Hauk

8st 13lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

1m4f Group 1 wins last summer in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks (good to soft-good to firm) before taking on males in the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) and finishing a clear second to Daryz, beaten just a head; reappeared with a Group 2 win at the Curragh (1m2f, good) and, while she has something to prove after a disappointing run there in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5f, good), she may well be in the mix if she's back to her best.

11/2

5th

8

(4)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Minnie Hauk

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Last year's top-rated filly worldwide; won the Cheshire Oaks, the Classics at Epsom and the Curragh and the Yorkshire Oaks; at least matched her best effort when touched off by Daryz on soft in the Arc, well clear of the remainder; perhaps one race too many when underwhelming at the Breeders' Cup; picked up smoothly to win a Group 2 by 1.75l here on seasonal return (1m2f, good); this is a bigger task, and it's not unfair to say her ideal trip is further than this, but she's the most likely winner.

8/15

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 621-11 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
He made it five wins from his first seven starts when winning the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) last October, beating Minnie Hauk by a head, and he's confirmed that brilliance this season with comfortable Group 1 wins at Longchamp in the Prix Ganay (10.5f, good) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (1m1f, soft); this race will take a lot more winning than his last two contests and it's possible that 1m4f is his optimum trip, but he's a leading player nevertheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(2)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Daryz

9st 2lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

He made it five wins from his first seven starts when winning the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) last October, beating Minnie Hauk by a head, and he's confirmed that brilliance this season with comfortable Group 1 wins at Longchamp in the Prix Ganay (10.5f, good) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (1m1f, soft); this race will take a lot more winning than his last two contests and it's possible that 1m4f is his optimum trip, but he's a leading player nevertheless.

2/1

6th

5

(1)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

Daryz

9st 1lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

Made it 4-4 (all at about 1m2f, good-soft) when winning Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud in June last time; others have lots more substance to their form but he did it readily off a steady gallop and this blue-blooded 3yo has Group 1 potential, especially when getting a stronger pace which seems likely here; connections' Calandagan was second in this last year; respected.

9/1

11/2

Form: 1233-1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Last season concluded with fine third in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good; about 2l behind runner-up Ombudsman) and this 5yo looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on his reappearance, with subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller 2l back in second and a disappointing Minnie Hauk in fifth; today's company is even hotter but he might not be far away if the fast ground isn't an issue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(1)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Almaqam

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Last season concluded with fine third in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good; about 2l behind runner-up Ombudsman) and this 5yo looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on his reappearance, with subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller 2l back in second and a disappointing Minnie Hauk in fifth; today's company is even hotter but he might not be far away if the fast ground isn't an issue.

11/2

1st

1

(7)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Almaqam

9st 5lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Closest to Minnie Hauk on ratings, although that rival has the benefit of race-fitness and a fillies allowance; made all to beat subsequent three-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman at Sandown (1m2f, good) last season but had the benefit of a run; good placed efforts in Group 2s at York (10.5f, good) and Longchamp (1m4f, good to soft); signed off last term with a cracking run to take third in a Group 1 at Ascot on Champions Day (1m2f, good); there is likely more to come to this term from the British raider.

5/1

50/1

Form: 390-64

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Kept on for fourth in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) in the Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, having been beaten just a neck in the same Group 1 in 2025; on that latest evidence this step back up in trip is worth a go, but others arrive with stronger claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(1)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

14:35 York

Dancing Gemini

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Roger Teal

Most recent success came in Group 2 at Sandown (1m, good) last April; not at best in three runs this season, including in same race and when returned to 1m2f for Group 1 at Royal Ascot five weeks ago; needs a revival.

12/1

5th

2

(3)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Dancing Gemini

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Roger Teal

Kept on for fourth in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) in the Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, having been beaten just a neck in the same Group 1 in 2025; on that latest evidence this step back up in trip is worth a go, but others arrive with stronger claims.

50/1

4th

3

(6)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Dancing Gemini

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Roger Teal

Bright start to last season culminated in neck second when favourite for this contest; broadly not in the same form since, most recently last of six (behind two of today's opponents) when bidding for repeat success in Sandown Group 2; big revival is needed in first-time headgear.

40/1

Form: 429-11 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it's likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(1)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

See The Fire

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Beaten just a neck in this race in 2024 (good to firm) and heavy ground was against her when a below-par third 12 months ago; won the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York (1m2f, good) this May for the second year running; well beaten in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot last month and now 0-13 in Group 1 races, but she's still entitled to respect back against her own sex.

9/2

6th

8

(6)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

See The Fire

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it's likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.

16/1

1st

5

(4)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:30 York

See The Fire

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Pulverised her seven rivals in this on her second outing of last season, scoring by a whopping 12l on good to firm; couldn't quite reproduce that high-class RPR at Group 1 level in five subsequent outings in 2025 but mostly ran well, including a close second in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, soft); didn't have much to spare at the line when 1-3 for a 1m2f Nottingham Listed race on reappearance but cruised through most of that contest and will likely be a lot closer to her best this time; again the one to beat in this.

6/5

Form: 417-24 D

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
He was the pacemaker for stablemate Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes over C&D last October, when seventh of 11 at 66-1, and that's set to be his role again this afternoon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Devils Advocate

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

He was the pacemaker for stablemate Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes over C&D last October, when seventh of 11 at 66-1, and that's set to be his role again this afternoon.

100/1

4th

2

(3)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Devils Advocate

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Highlight last season was a very useful performance in 1m2f handicap at Doncaster, suggesting he's verging on Group class; creditable second, despite usual cheekpieces being removed, in AW Listed event at Kempton on reappearance; possibilities with the headgear back on.

7/2

Form: 51-570

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
It was his first run above Listed class when making the running in the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, finishing last of ten; once more set for pacemaking duties, to assist stablemate Minnie Hauk.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(7)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Mississippi River

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

It was his first run above Listed class when making the running in the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, finishing last of ten; once more set for pacemaking duties, to assist stablemate Minnie Hauk.

200/1

10th

5

(7)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Mississippi River

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

No slouch but he has never raced above Listed level and looks like being a possible pacemaker for stablemate The Lion In Winter in this first Group attempt; clear bottom of this pack on handicap marks and should be swallowed up once his rivals get roaring.

100/1

7th

4

(7)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:05 Leopardstown

Mississippi River

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Three-time winner including a rated race last June over C&D (good); promising effort on seasonal return over C&D when 3l fifth to stablemate The Lion In Winter in the Listed Heritage Stakes, half a length behind Tokenomics and just in front of Lord Massusus; rated 100 and improvement is required.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.20
Straight Forecast £10.18
Tricast £15.10
Trifecta £27.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Daryz

RP RATINGS:

Ombudsman

TOPSPEED:

Almaqam

Daily Record:

Minnie Hauk

The Times:

Daryz

Telegraph:

Daryz

The Guardian:

Daryz

Daily Mirror:

Daryz

The Star:

Daryz

POSTDATA:

Ombudsman

NEWMARKET:

Ombudsman

Daily Mail:

Ombudsman

D Express:

Ombudsman

The Sun:

Ombudsman

LAMBOURN:

Almaqam