Ascot - Saturday 9th May 2026
Brian Meehan's King of Montenegro is the only one with racecourse experience and he ran well enough to finish fifth at Bath after a slow start to suggest he can have a say. Cuban Heels is born to be speedy as a son of Havana Grey, but VICTORY GOLD looks interesting. Saeed bin Suroor's colt is bred to be better over further, but must have been showing the pace needed to be entered here.
Four-year-olds have won six of the last nine runnings and they have solid chances here with the likes of Zgharta, who was last seen in Listed class at Saint-Cloud, and perhaps Song N Dance, who travelled well at Southwell before being outgunned late on when returning after five months off. However, POLITELY has won her last two easily on the all-weather and gets a 13lb age allowance, which may tip the scales in her favour.
Storm Free is worth attention now that he has a Newmarket comeback under his belt, although he does need to improve after that sixth placing. MUDBIR was unlucky when seventh at Goodwood last summer after failing to get a clear run and if he gets the breaks, he could make amends on his first start since. Nostrum makes his debut for Mick Appleby and is very well handicapped if he can be brought back to form, while Defence Minister also warrants consideration.
Despite being turned over on his handicap bow at Newbury, there were still plenty of positives to be taken from VALEDICTORY's narrow defeat. All of his efforts over 1m2f have suggested there will be further improvement to come up in trip and victory would potentially make him a leading hope for a handicap back here at the Royal meeting. Bulletin was just behind the selection last month and is expected to be competitive once again. However, there could be bigger threats in the shape of Al Wasl Storm, who ran in the Derby and Queen's Vase before being successful in handicap company at Newbury, and Opportunity after a gelding operation.
DEVIL'S PEAK was an unlucky loser on his return to action at Kempton and the son of Camelot makes plenty of appeal in his bid to go one better, despite a 3lb rise from the handicapper. Waterford Castle has been knocking on the door with a trio of runner-up efforts, including at the Craven meeting last time, and first-time cheekpieces can further aid his cause. Sintra appears best of the remainder.
NAGA made an impressive winning seasonal debut at Doncaster. That was only her second attempt at 1m2f so it's reasonable to expect further improvement from the Dubawi filly and she can continue her upward trajectory representing last year's winning connections. Wolverhampton runner-up Tryst looks on a fair mark and may well improve for this extra test of stamina. She holds every chance, while Bint Kilfrush and Venetia could also prove competitive now handicapping.
JUAN LES PINS is holding his form well and struck at Thirsk before finishing a close-up third at Newbury. A similar effort should see Mick Appleby's sprinter bang there at the finish once again in this less competitive contest. Newcastle fourth Cajetan also drops in class and returns to the turf with a decent shout, while Lord Roxby will be sharper for last month's comeback and is no forlorn hope back over 6f.
King Of Montenegro is the only one with any form in the race having shaped well first time out over just shy of 6f at Bath. He could improve but he may well be vulnerable to a talented newcomer and there are a few who fit the bill. Victory Gold comes from a yard with an excellent strike rate and is out of a useful French middle distance performer who placed at Listed level. With Murphy booked he is feared but CUBAN HEELS is narrowly preferred for another top stable which gets plenty of first time out winners. He is out of a smart miler who won first time out and he should be able to follow suit.
ELECTRIFARHH was a huge drifter on her return from a long lay off last time but she did run well to a point until her fitness gave way. Her previous novice form has been franked emphatically and with her reappearance under her belt she is taken to resume her progress stepped back up to her optimum trip. Radiant Beauty enjoyed a productive 2025 and wasn't disgraced at Listed level on her return. She could be well treated back in a handicap and could prove the biggest danger ahead of the unexposed Zgharta who ran well in the Sandringham over C&D last year.
The pair at the top of the market Mudbir and Defence Minister are closely matched on their Sandown meeting last year. The latter arrives in form after a cosy win on his reappearance while the former looked a Group performer in the making last summer so should have much more to offer this term. However the pair could be vulnerable to winter Listed winner COMPLETELY RANDOM who lacked the pace in the Abernant last time suggesting that he was worth another go over distances this far. He ran well last summer on his sole start over this distance seeing it out well and he looks on generous mark based on his AW form. His hold up style will suit this course and he will be running on at the finish along with Tribal Chief who was a touch unlucky in the Lincoln but may just find this on the sharp side. Goodwood winner Great Acclaim has some excellent big field handicap form to his name including here and will also be a threat if building on his recent revival.
AW novice winner VALEDICTORY just failed to reel in a race fit rival on his recent handicap debut but can gain some compensation off just 3lb higher here. The winner that day has boosted the form since and the way he finished suggested that this longer trip would deliver more. Classical Allusion failed to stay 2m on his handicap debut having raced freely but he was backed as if he was ahead of his mark. He was beaten by a top class hurdler in a good novice prior to that and should resume his progress back down in trip. He can fill the places with Kirchner who is well treated on his French form including a Listed run but could do with some rain.
All of the field can be given a chance here but bottom weight SINTRA makes most appeal. He proved steadily progressive in novices and saw out the 10f trip well last time. With Oisin Murphy taking over he can defeat Sassicaia who powered home when making a winning debut over just shy of 9f. He found 1m too sharp last time but is a likely improver now handicapping up in trip and can fill the podium with Enemy Agent who beat a couple of next time out winners first time out.
1m novice winner TRYST has held her form in defeat since and looks well treated on her reappearance run at a higher level. Her recent efforts have suggested that she should have more to offer over this longer distance so she is chosen to defeat debut winner Bint Kilfrush who is probably a bit flattered by the rating she achieved last time. She did prove her stamina for 10f that day and looks on a fair mark starting outing in handicaps so can fill the places with the steadily progressive Room Fourteen. The hood that rival wore when shedding her maiden tag on her first try over this far last time is retained.
Veteran JUAN LES PINS has returned to form of late and remains thrown in on his old efforts so is expected to gain another victory here. He's only 1lb higher than when just outstayed late last time by a well handicapped pair and this straight track should suit. Cajetan has slipped 5lb below his last winning mark and hinted at a revival last time. His jockey booking suggests a good run is on the cards and he can fill the places with Dicko The Legend who has never won off a mark this high but went close last time.
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