Royal Ascot 2026: Hollie Doyle blog for June 18, 2026

Chapelle looks strong in Chesham

Aidan O’Brien has made a typically good start to the week as he closes in on a century of Royal Ascot winners and he can edge closer to that magnificent landmark on day three with the promising AIX LA CHAPELLE in the opening
Chesham Stakes (2.30).

The attractive son of Justify looked classy on his sole start over 7f at The Curragh and is the one they all have to beat from his middle draw with Ryan Moore – himself targeting a Royal Ascot hundred – in the saddle.

Another for the shortlist is George Scott’s exciting son of Sea The Stars, Sea Venture. I was hugely impressed by his debut win at Haydock Park last month when he eased clear of his more experienced rival. Stepping up a furlong promises to see him improve enough to play a big part in this Listed contest.

Light can shine brightly in King George

Winners at the Royal Meeting have been surprisingly elusive for Charlie Appleby but he can improve his strike rate with the likeable INTO THE LIGHT in the King George V Stakes (3.05).

He lost nothing in defeat behind subsequent London Gold Cup winner Lost Boys when the pair clashed at Sandown in April and I’m confident this lightly raced son of Dubawi has more to offer off a higher rating of 88.

Wathnan Racing’s Tierra Del Toro has to come into the reckoning after finishing third in that valuable Newbury handicap while another danger is Joseph O’Brien’s improving colt Cannes, who could easily take a big step forward from his maiden victory at Leopardstown.

Hard to see past Oaks second legacy

It’s hard to see past LEGACY LINK in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40), as long as her gallant effort in The Oaks hasn’t taken its toll.

She finished well clear of the third horse in the Epsom Classic after being claimed late on by Thundering On, confirming the merits of her smooth success in the Musidora Stakes at York’s Dante Festival.

With a stand-out rating of 111, she’s in a different league to her rivals though Earth Shot has the credentials to capitalise if Legacy Link doesn’t run up to form. William Haggas’s filly was only narrowly denied in the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood and will appreciate the step up in trip.

Gold Cup glory awaits for Scandinavia

Rahiebb, who chased home SCANDINAVIA in last season’s St Leger, looks a young stayer with a bright future after storming to victory in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup on his seasonal re-appearance.

However, he still has to prove he has the stamina to see out 2m4f in the Gold Cup (4.15) so I’m siding with his reliable Doncaster conqueror, who has the credentials to become Ballydoyle’s next Cup king.

Aidan O’Brien wouldn’t be pitching Scandinavia into this if he didn’t think he’d stay. He wasn’t stopping over 2m in the Goodwood Cup last summer and looks ready to claim Trawlerman’s crown after sharpening up in a Group 3 at
Leopardstown.

Outback to turn up the heat in Britannia

I loved how OUTBACK HEAT went about his business in a course and distance handicap last month and expect him to have a say in the outcome of the ultra-competitive Britannia Stakes (4.50).

Harry Eustace’s gelding was put up 6lb for that winning handicap debut but remains on a tempting mark in this cavalry charge, with a middle to low draw in stall 18 in his favour.

I’ll be shouting my boss Archie Watson’s Exclusive Code home, too. The form of his Newbury maiden win has worked out very well and Wathnan Racing’s gelding can give Queen Anne winning jockey Kieran Shoemark another notable ride.

Glowing endorsement for Hampton favourite

Aidan O’Brien has a tight grip on the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes (5.35) with ENDORSEMENT and Italy dominating the betting.

Ryan Moore has chosen Endorsement who dropped into Listed company to win in dominant fashion at Leopardstown earlier this month and looks ready to make a successful transition back into Group company.

Saeed Bin Suroor’s Mountain Cat is a gorgeous looking horse who has won both starts at Wolverhampton and Doncaster. This asks a much bigger question of him but he’s a scopey colt who may just take it in his considerable stride.

I'm sweet on Hannon's River King

The Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.10) is a wide-open handicap that can go to Richard Hannon’s RIVER KING – a convincing winner over a 1m at Newbury last time.

Dropping back a furlong in what will be a keenly run race shouldn’t be a problem for this strong travelling gelding, whose rider Pat Dobbs will have options from his middle draw in stall 14.

Cosi Bello also caught my eye at Haydock, overcoming traffic issues to make a winning re-appearance. Charlie Fellowes’ four-year-old runs off just a 2lb higher mark and could be perfectly drawn in 26.