Royal Ascot — 16 June 2026

Class 1 · — · Good To Firm · 9 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Opera Ballo

Won by: Ten Bob Tony (IRE) at 50/1 · then More Thunder (IRE), Opera Ballo (IRE)

What we said: unbeaten in 2025 (2 wins), Appleby targets Royal Ascot precisely, high draw (7) suits straight course bias, and Loughnane is in red-hot form

Class 1 · — · Good To Firm · 21 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Confucius

Won by: Great Barrier Reef (IRE) at 6/1 · then Adaay Of Scarlett (IRE), Royal Heritage (GB)

What we said: Ryan Moore on the O'Brien first string, No Nay Never sire suits good-to-firm straight 6f, draw 20 workable in a pace-biased field, form reads 21 with the win coming latest

Class 1 · — · Good To Firm · 6 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Talk Of New York

Won by: Bow Echo (IRE) · then Gstaad (GB)

What we said: Appleby/Buick combo at Royal Ascot with a sharp 1-311 form line screams targeted prep, and Good To Firm suits a Godolphin miler perfectly

Class 2 · — · Good To Firm · 20 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Glenroyal

Won by: Kizlyar (IRE) at 25/1 · then Defiantly (FR), Tim Toe (IRE), Barnso (GB)

What we said: JP O'Brien's low-draw bullet (stall 1) ridden by McDonogh, rock-solid recent form (31011), progressive 4yo in a stayers' handicap where fresh NH-honed stamina angles are overrated; low draw on a track that suits prominent racers in this trip

Class 2 · — · Good To Firm · 16 ran

Not a bet. The horse we made most likely: Valiancy

Won by: Daiquiri Bay (GB) at 6/1 · then Gamrai (GB), Paddy The Squire (GB), Aeronautic (IRE)

What we said: five-time Haggas/Doyle combo, form string reads 1321-1 (five wins from nine, last win confirmed), progressive 4yo carrying a fair weight and Doyle thrives in big-field finishes at Ascot