Royal Ascot 2026: Hollie Doyle blog for June 19, 2026

Our ambassador Hollie Doyle gives her verdict on all seven races on Day 4 at Royal Ascot.

Strong chance of a Royal winner in Albany

I’m hoping Ralph Beckett will saddle a Royal winner in the opening race on Friday, the Group 3 Albany Stakes (2.30). He runs the appropriately named KING’S PRIZE who carries the colours of the King and Queen in the fillies’ sprint.

Despite looking unfurnished, she really impressed me in a stylish display on her only start so far at Nottingham in April. She hit the line powerfully that day and is bred to appreciate the stiffer test that Ascot presents.

Amo Racing’s Silent Beauty went some way towards justifying her 1 million euro price tag when she made a winning start in a Yarmouth maiden but both fillies will have to step forward to deny Aidan O’Brien’s blistering Curragh scorer Sun Goddess who has an obvious chance of giving Sioux Nation a first Royal Ascot winner.

Sun to shine brightly in Commonwealth

VENETIAN SUN is the stand-out performer on Friday when she can take her unbeaten record in sprints to six in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (3.05).

Karl Burke wasted no time in dropping her back to 6f in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock Park after she failed to stay 1m in the Guineas and she was a revelation, winning with any amount in hand.

I’ve been a fan of Coppull since his Richmond Stakes win at Goodwood last summer so it was no surprise to see him win the Trial at Ascot at the beginning of May. Ed Walker’s Midnight Tango was only a neck behind him that day and can confirm the promise of that run at big odds for the Queen Anne winning trainer.

Timely boost for Boughey's handicap hope

George Boughey and Billy Loughnane, who combined to win that thrilling St James’s Palace Stakes with Bow Echo on the first day, have a winning chance in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40) in the shape of HOPEWELL ROCK.

His form was given a timely boost when Daiquiri Bay and Gamrai, who finished just in front of him at Newmarket, were the first two home in the Queen’s Vase on Tuesday.

His owners Wathnan Racing also have clear prospects with Opportunity, who shaped well over course and distance in May before bolting up over a slightly shorter trip at Carlisle, while Shergar Cup winner Insanity can give Daiquiri Bay’s trainer Alan King more to cheer about.

True Love can turn tables in Coronation

Guineas heroine TRUE LOVE is such a beautiful filly who I’d like to see win the Group 1 Coronation Stakes (4.20) but she will have to dig deeper than ever to turn the tables on stable companion Precise.

Despite finishing well ahead of her at Newmarket, she was comfortably beaten by the daughter of Starspangledbanner in the Irish version so it promises to be an intriguing re-match.

One to watch out for is Charlie Johnston’s Timeforshowcasing, who won the Listed Burradon Stakes on the Tapeta at Newcastle and put a disappointing Guineas run behind her when bouncing back in the German Classic.

Donnacha set for his moment of glory

Donnacha O’Brien can join dad Aidan and older brother Joseph on the Royal ascot roll of honour with GLYFADA in the Sandringham Stakes (5.00).

She’s progressing nicely following wins over a mile and a quarter at Naas and 1m at Killarney – form that has worked out well. She’s up to a mark of 91 but has plenty of scope to improve on her handicap debut.

Like Glyfada, John and Thady Gosden’s Shadwell filly Seet is going the right way and can advertise the merits of her Doncaster form now she steps into this grade for the first time but must give 5lb to my fancy, which may prove a tough enough task.

Keep an eye on Jane Chapple-Hyam’s filly Harlequin Breeze who has the talent to out-run big odds for David Egan after lowering the colours of Ralph Beckett’s re-opposing favourite Crownright at Leicester.

No miracle for Water to Wine 

WATER TO WINE will be a short price for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (5.35) and rightly so. John and Thady Gosden’s colt won’t need a miracle to extend his unbeaten record following wins at Newbury and Kempton Park.

I prefer him to Ballydoyle’s Causeway who has rattled off wins in a handicap, a Listed race and a Group 3 en route to this tougher assignment. He’s open to any amount of improvement up in trip but I do think Water To Wine could be something special.

At a bigger price, I’d like to see Ancient Egypt bounce back from his defeat in the Derby. He wasn’t disgraced at Epsom but is better judged on his taking performance in the Listed Newmarket Stakes in the spring.

Simplify to go close in Palace dash 

SIMPLIFY is a filly I know well after winning twice on her for Andrew Balding so I’d be chuffed to see her run a big race in the closing Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (6.10) – a race I won in 2023 with Rhythm N Hooves.

She ran a huge race in Listed company at York on her latest start when she was just overhauled by Kevin Ryan’s Dickensian, who also looks booked to play a leading role here but at much shorter odds.

The one who sets the standard, though, is George Boughey’s Westport who brings an unbeaten record to the 5f sprint and could be ideally drawn in stall three. He looks perfectly weighted off a mark of 95 to further enhance George’s fantastic week.