Ascot - Fri 8 May 2026
William Haggas has won three of the last seven runnings of this race and has every chance of another here with ALBAYDAA, who won over this trip at Wolverhampton last year. She made her handicap debut off this mark at Newmarket over 6f where she ran on into third and should be far better suited by the extra furlong. Colori Forever could go well if he gets a fast pace to aim at, followed by the interesting Queen Tamara.
Resemblance is one to watch in the early markets, but experience is a bonus and BINT ARCHANGE gets the vote with the booking of William Buick to ride an eye-catching one by trainer Richard Hughes. Third after weakening close home on her debut at Newmarket, she could improve significantly here. Half A Hoof and Wondervision are other newcomers to note in a wide-open contest.
With the Gosden fillies in good form, a better showing is expected from Light Of Paris on her second start, although she was beaten over 12 lengths over a furlong further at Kempton and needs to find more. GONE BY went into many a notebook after running on into second after a slow start over a mile at Newbury and appears likely to benefit from the extra couple of furlongs. Tarrant and newcomer Cool Girl are others for the shortlist.
Progressive on the all-weather, ELEMENTS OF FIRE landed hat-trick of 7f victories with last month's Wolverhampton success. This stiff 6f should should suit the front-running son of Too Darn Hot and Archie Watson's rapid improver may not have finished winning yet. Hucklesbrook made an encouraging reappearance at Newbury. He won a higher grade sprint at York last summer and has solid claims on that form, while Toyotomi looks on a tempting mark and shouldn't be underestimated.
Fresh from last month's double on the all-weather, Arry Up holds every chance back on the turf. Sizzling Seixas won nicely in novice company at Kempton in March and has to be of interest, but there was a lot to like about MOSCOW POWER's maiden win at Chelmsford and he makes most appeal. Mick Appleby's charge readily pulled clear of a subsequent winner to justify favouritism in fine style and the son of Sergei Prokofiev should have plenty more to offer now handicapping.
King's Trust benefited from a gelding operation to shed the maiden tag at Southwell in October and an opening mark of 83 appears to be very fair for the Gosdens' charge. Cheekpieces go on, which may yield further improvement, but BLUE COURVOISIER is preferred, especially with a run under his belt. The son of Sea The Stars built on the promise of his juvenile efforts when runner-up in a bunched finish at Newmarket that also involved Arbaawy (fourth) and Luzon Heights (fifth). The third from that contest subsequently won at the Guineas meeting and Clive Cox's colt might confirm the form, despite being 1lb worse off with the aforementioned pair.
NAVAL TRIBUTE had shown plenty of promise when running in bumpers, going down by a narrow margin on each occasion. James Owen's gelding arrives having improved plenty since stepping up in distance on the level, winning two of his last three starts, and the extra yardage here may see him in an even better light. Expressionless improved from his return at Doncaster to score at Leicester and he is capable of being in the mix along with Believitanducan and Calvert.
Novice winner MAY ANGEL was highly tried at 2 but showed the benefit of a drop in class and a wind op when placing off this mark on his reappearance. He conceded a fitness edge to Colori Forever that day so should reverse the form and resume his progress. He can defeat Albaydaa who also placed off this mark on her handicap debut and should appreciate this step back up in trip. Ay Up Duck proved consistent in novices and can also play a part if able to translate that to the turf.
BINT ARCHANGE finished strongly when placed first time out and sets the standard on form. With improvement likely she is selected ahead of Beautiful Rainbow who probably would've finished closer but for being hampered early first time out. Of the newcomers Half A Hoof makes most appeal as a half sister to an Italian Group 3 winner.
GONE BY was let down by a slow start on her debut but finished well when chasing home a rival who has franked the form at Listed level. She should have more to offer over the longer trip and is chosen to defeat Light Of Paris who showed minor promise first time out. Tarrant is probably the biggest danger on the figures after placing on debut but she has some big stamina concerns stepping up in distance.
ELEMENTS OF FIRE completed a hat trick last time and can continue his progress here. A 5lb rise underestimates the ease of the victory and he should be tough to catch with the stiff track to suit down in trip. Hucklesbrook returned to form on his reappearance just tiring late on and could prove the biggest challenger if building on that. Mandurah has an absence to overcome but she went close off 2lb lower than when last seen and should appreciate the drop to this trip which her debut win came over. If fit and ready to go she should also be on the premises.
This can go to the least exposed in the field SIZZLING SEIXAS. Her latest novice win is worth marking up as she quickened clear early enough and she now looks well treated now tackling handicaps with further improvement likely if she settles. Empress Olivia will find this harder than her recent assignments but she's been in terrific form this spring and should remain competitive off a 5lb higher mark. Moscow Power benefitted from a drop in class when making a winning return on the AW last time and is another potential improver now handicapping. He can also play a part in an open race.
KING'S TRUST has shown signs of a temperament but the cheekpieces go on for the first time and he could take advantage of a lenient opening mark. He showed the benefit of headgear when breaking his maiden last time beating a next time out winner and he should have more to offer as a 3yo. Debut winner Blue Courvoisier did well to finish runner up on his handicap debut having refused to settle. He could prove the main challenger ahead of the intriguing Seu Jo who looks on a fair mark judged on his victory in France.
BELIEVITANDUCAN hasn't been seen on the Flat for over a year but he was progressive when last seen in this discipline and arrives fit after a spell hurdling over the winter which included a 2 1/2m win. He's not fully exposed over staying trips in this sphere so is fancied to improve again and defeat the steadily progressive Francesco Baracca. That rival enjoyed a productive winter on the AW and his last run is worth marking up as he met trouble. Lusaka has dropped to just 1lb above his last winning mark and can fill the places if building on his latest run.
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