14:30 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 16 June 2026

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Str)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 1m 37.53s

(6)

Cicero's Gift³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Watson| T: C Hills| OR: 118| CD

50/1

Surprise winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champion Day at Ascot. However, he was seen to maximum effect on that occasion and has been put firmly in his place in the Sandown Mile and Lockinge this term.

Form: 2211-47

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Damysus³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 119

14/1

Highly progressive in 2025 aside from a blip in the Derby, ending the year with listed/Group 3 wins before returning to easily defy a penalty in Newmarket Group 3 (9f). Failed to meet expectations in the Lockinge at Newbury but is probably worth another chance considering his overall profile.

Form: 2011-16

(4)

Docklands^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Mark Zahra| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 118| CD

6/1

Course specialist who recorded a first success at the highest level when emerging on top in a thrilling finish in this race last year. Looked as good as ever when landing the odds at Doncaster on reappearance and backed that up with an excellent third in Group 1 at Sha Tin. Respected.

Form: 4494-13

(2)

First Conquest¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

40/1

Smart sort who completed a hat-trick in good style in Group 3 at Meydan (1¼m) in early 2025. Most creditable efforts in defeat later that year but could well act as a pacemaker on this occasion.

Form: 133433-

(9)

More Thunder³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 121

7/2

Vastly improved for this yard last year, running out a ready winner of Group 2 Hungerford Stakes (7f) in August. Left poorly placed when fourth of 16 in Group 1 Foret on final start last year and reappeared with an excellent second to Notable Speech in Lockinge at Newbury. More to come at 1m.

Form: 12114-2

(1)

Notable Speech³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 125| BF| D

9/4

Winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and Sussex Stakes at Goodwood as a 3-y-o. Proved as good as ever when gaining his fifth success at the top level in Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (1m) latest, displaying a striking turn of foot. The one to beat, even if the return to a stiffer track is a niggle.

Form: 5211-41

(7)

Opera Ballo^h⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Appleby| OR: 125| D

7/2

High-class colt who made it a remarkable 7 wins from 9 starts when landing Sandown Mile in convincing fashion under a well-judged front-running ride (1m) in April. Leading contender on that form but it's worth noting his 2 defeats have come on straight tracks.

Form: 1121-11

(8)

Ten Bob Tony¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 112

50/1

Quickly put a poor run behind him when bagging a second Group 3 at Epsom (7f) 10 days ago but he's likely to be outclassed back up in trip/grade.

Form: 830-481

(5)

Zeus Olympios³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 120| D

11/1

Made rapid progress when winning all 4 starts last year, culminating with 2¼-length defeat of Opera Ballo in Group 2 Joel at Newmarket (1m). Stepped up on his reappearance when 2¾ lengths third of 10 to Notable Speech in Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (1m) latest but has work to do to reverse the form.

Form: 1111-33

Forecasts

Notable Speech (9/4), More Thunder (7/2), Opera Ballo (7/2), Docklands (6/1), Zeus Olympios (11/1), Damysus (14/1), First Conquest (40/1), Ten Bob Tony (50/1), Cicero's Gift (50/1)

A mouth-watering renewal of the Queen Anne. MORE THUNDER made giant strides forward in his first season with William Haggas last year, and his second to Notable Speech in the Lockinge on his first try at 1m fully confirms he belongs at the highest level. The stiffer 1m should play perfectly to his strong-finishing style and it’s reasonable to believe he can reverse the Lockinge form with Notable Speech, who may not be ideally suited by a return to Ascot. Opera Ballo is a fascinating runner, too.