Could the King and Queen Dominate Royal Ascot?

Royal Ascot is here again, and it is once again set to be the best and most enjoyable five days of Flat racing in the world.

There are some huge narratives heading into this year; we’ll have the opportunity to watch top sprinters from all over the planet, youngsters looking to stake their claim, and veterans aiming for one last success.

Once again, the Royal colours will be well represented with King Charles and Queen Camilla having a couple of runners who are hugely fancied in the handicaps.

Reaching High

Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (5.00 Tuesday) 9-4 fav

Reaching High enters the meeting looking to rectify his 2025 performance. The Willie Mullins-trained horse went off as an 11-4 favourite but found himself in trouble after becoming congested in the middle.

Many, including Mullins, put it down to bad luck and felt that the five-year-old didn’t have the chance to show what he was truly capable of.

Ryan Moore will ride him this year and once again goes into the meeting as favourite, even shorter this time around at a steady price of 9/4.

Reaching High’s last win came at Wolverhampton almost two years ago, over 1m6f.

Point Of Law

Queen’s Vase (3.05 Wednesday) 16-1

Point Of Law backed up his 4/7 price at Newbury after claiming his maiden win a month ago after completing 1m2f with relative ease.

He’s only made two career starts, with the son of legendary racehorse Frankel finishing second on his debut at Yarmouth in April, just behind German runner and favourite Del Maro.

Despite heading into the Vase at a lofty 16/1, the King and Queen will be quietly confident that Point of Law can make a statement at the Royal meeting.

King’s Prize

Windsor Castle (6.10 Wednesday) 25-1, Albany Stakes (2.30 Friday) 20-1

King’s Prize made a winning debut at Nottingham in April, showing a professional attitude to get the job done despite a lively race environment for newcomers.

The form of that race has not worked out particularly strongly, with several of those behind since having further runs without success, meaning she will need to take a clear step forward against potentially stronger opposition, whichever race she is aimed at this week.

However, the seven-week break since her debut leaves scope for natural improvement, and she remains an interesting contender from a yard that has made a solid start with its two-year-olds this season.

Golden Orbit

Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40 Thursday) 28-1

The daughter of Sea The Stars showed a huge amount of promise after winning on her debut at Newmarket in September on fast ground.

Despite the winning debut, she disappointed many in her only run since at Newbury in May. Golden Orbit started as the favourite in the Listed race but didn’t manage to trouble the front-runners and finished fourth. Her trainer Ralph Beckett will be hoping a return to quick ground and the step up in trip to a mile and a half will bring the best out of her.

She faces quite experienced and accomplished rivals, potentially including Oaks runner-up Legacy Link and French raider Gilded Prize, a Group 3 winner.

Warrant Holder

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40 Friday) 6-1

This four-year-old has had a steady but successful start to his career, winning three of his last five outings, including a victory at the Dante meeting last month.

Warrant Holder also holds an impressive win up at Newcastle in March of last year, pipping Rahiebb to the winning post, who is now 4-1 third-favourite for Thursday’s Gold Cup.

Despite recent success, there is a slight worry with Warrant Holder after appearing to suffer from tongue-tie when winning at York; however, it didn’t stop him that day.