18:10 Royal Ascot

Thursday 18 June 2026

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:3518:10

Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 18:12 | Winning time: 1m 25.44s

(29)

The Wizard Of Eye^p⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: N Callan| T: Tom Clover| OR: 104| CD

9/1

Sparingly campaigned in recent years but returned with a second success in the Victoria Cup over C&D last month, proving as good as ever at the age of 7. May prove vulnerable from a 5 Ib higher mark.

Form: 160/39-1

(10)

English Oak¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Faleh Bugheniam| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 103| CD

28/1

Didn't go on for Ed Walker after landing this race in 2024 but rejuvenated for new yard when winning 2 handicaps in Meydan earlier this year and is entitled to be competitive after 3 months off.

Form: 020-116

(6)

Fondo Blanco²³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 103

50/1

Won 1m handicap at Haydock last autumn and was a good fourth in a listed race at Nottingham next time. Gelded ahead of return and could have more to offer despite a revised handicap mark in the 100s.

Form: 272214-

(22)

Golden Mind^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 103| D

40/1

Form is a bit up and down but he's a smart handicapper on his day. Won 3 times last year and also ran well when fourth of 28 in the Victoria Cup over C&D in May. Stiff task when last of 8 in Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom (7f, good to soft, 14/1) 12 days ago. Can bounce back.

Form: 01-7248

(31)

Elarak⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Hills| OR: 103| BF| D

12/1

Kingman gelding who registered a third success of a productive 2025 in a 7f Newmarket handicap in September, looking well suited by an aggressive ride back down in trip. Gelded thereafter and finished fourth both starts this season, including back at Newmarket at the Guineas Meeting last month.

Form: 1761-44

(24)

Royal Velvet⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: W J Knight| OR: 102| D

8/1

Has a good strike rate and made it a perfect 2 from 2 this season with wins over 7f in handicap at Newmarket and Group 3 at Lingfield. Returns handicapping from an 11 Ib higher mark than the Newmarket race and can't be discounted given her profile.

Form: 1815-11

(20)

Vafortino³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: C Soumillon| T: C Fellowes| OR: 101| CD

50/1

Is on a long losing run but made the frame in a Meydan Group 2 in January. Hasn't been able to build on that, just mid-division back in a handicap at York last month, and looks no more than averagely treated at present.

Form: 7-45078

(23)

Great Acclaim^v⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 100| D

12/1

Reacted well to blinkers last summer, winning at Goodwood and Chepstow (both 7f) before running 3 crackers in defeat, including twice over C&D. In first-time visor, length second of 28 to The Wizard of Eye in Victoria Cup over C&D (good to firm, 12/1) in May. Another big run is anticipated.

Form: 240-032

(3)

Arctic Dawn^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Zac Lloyd| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 100| D

40/1

Produced a career-best effort when winning 11-runner handicap at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 12 days ago. Is low mileage on turf and has to be respected from a 9 lb higher mark.

Form: 5185-31

(28)

Blue Brother³⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 98| D

9/2

Useful form in France in 2024, winning a pair of handicaps prior to a second in listed contest at Saint-Cloud. Changed yards thereafter and was much better than result in last year's Royal Hunt Cup, meeting significant trouble. Absent since (gelded) ahead of first run for another new stable.

Form: 1125/60-

(18)

Apiarist⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jack Callan⁽³⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| D

33/1

A prolific scorer on the all-weather, latest at Lingfield in February. Better than result when 2½ lengths sixth of 13 to Mirsky in handicap (8/1) at Thirsk (1m, good) last month, meeting trouble. Finished eighth in this last year from the same mark.

Form: 3-41306

(4)

The Lost King⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

33/1

Caught the eye in the Britannia last season and having been gelded, has got back on the up on the all-weather this year, winning twice before a good third at Newcastle on Good Friday. Translated that form back onto turf when 2½ lengths fourth of 12 to Erzindjan at Newmarket (9f) in May.

Form: 0-12134

(26)

Cosi Bello⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley| T: C Fellowes| OR: 97| D

9/1

Lightly-raced gelding who began his career with 2 all-weather wins last spring. Ran creditably in 2 good handicaps after, before winning 12-runner event (5/2) at Haydock (7f, good to firm) on reappearance in April. Up just 2 lb in this more competitive race.

Form: 1124-1

(2)

Dance In The Storm^h¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| BF| D

17/2

Returned after 7 months off when landing 13-runner handicap at Chester (7f) in May, overcoming a pace bias in eye-catching style. Did a bit too much too soon when fifth to Colombier in similar event at Epsom 13 days ago. Has to be taken seriously in a race that should be run to suit.

Form: 4230-15

(8)

Defence Minister⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James McDonald| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 96| D

28/1

Useful gelding who had some strong handicap form to his name last season without winning. Returned with victory at Kempton (7f) in March and can have his latest effort ignored when down the field in Victoria Cup over C&D last month, having a hopeless task from his position.

Form: 0249-10

(25)

Storm Star⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Alfie Redman⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

33/1

Completed a Newcastle hat-trick last year. Dropped in the weights and bounced back to form when second of 11 in handicap at this course (1m, good to firm, 12/1) in May. That was his best turf effort, though this is a whole lot tougher.

Form: 13-6602

(16)

Colombier¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 96| D

22/1

A 4-time winner in France who stepped up markedly on his stable debut when winning 16-runner handicap at Epsom (7f, good to soft) 13 days ago, proving game. The booking of Moore is a plus and has to merit consideration.

Form: 114/9-01

(15)

Mirsky¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95

66/1

Back-to-back winner last season and stepped forward from reappearance to land the Thirsk Hunt Cup last month. Latest effort at Epsom can be excused as he clipped heels and stumbled just as the race was starting to unfold. Finished in mid-division from the same mark in last year's renewal of this.

Form: 09-3100

(19)

Pellitory⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

50/1

Useful 3-time 7f winner when trained by James Owen. Wasn't seen to best effect on first run for new yard in Victoria Cup over C&D in May. Has been given some further help from the handicapper.

Form: 78550-0

(14)

River King¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 95

14/1

Off the mark at Windsor (1¼m) last summer and much improved when making all in handicap at Newbury (1m) earlier this month. Raised 8 Ib and 7f should suit given this set up.

Form: 3231-21

(12)

The Fingal Raven^t1⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 95| D

66/1

Winner over 1m at Meydan in January. 7/1, respectable fifth of 14 in handicap over same C&D (good) when last seen in March. Goes with a first-time tongue strap here.

Form: 36-4155

(13)

Stratusnine²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: H Palmer| OR: 95

50/1

Won at Wolverhampton (6f) in December and has filled the runner-up spot on 3 occasions since, latest at York over 5f last month when unlucky not to win having conceded first run. Takes a significant step back up in trip.

Form: 2-U52P2

(1)

Rock Of Cashel²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: N Petersen| OR: 95| D

80/1

Won 4-runner conditions race at Navan last summer for Aidan O'Brien but then struggled in some competitive handicaps at Meydan earlier in the year for this yard. Didn't need to improve to win 7-runner handicap at Ovrevoll (8.7f, good) 21 days ago. This is much tougher.

Form: 06-0001

(17)

Hickory^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: William Carver| T: J A Osborne| OR: 95| CD

40/1

Winning start for this yard over C&D in Victoria Cup last year and added to his tally in September, landing a classified event over the same C&D from Fondo Blanco. Looks to have been brought along gradually this season and should be fully primed for this.

Form: 5212-06

(7)

So Darn Hot^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 94

50/1

Progressive in 2025, ending his time with Kevin Philippart de Foy with a decisive success at Windsor (6f) in June. In first-time cheekpieces, produced best effort of the season when 4¼ lengths seventh of 28 to The Wizard of Eye in Victoria Cup over C&D (good to firm, 28/1) last month.

Form: 135-067

(27)

Brasil Power^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Grace McEntee| T: G Boughey| OR: 94| D

100/1

Kept busy on the all-weather over the winter, winning 4 times with the latest at Wolverhampton (1¾m) in March. Found it more difficult back on turf last month. Takes a significant drop in trip and has work to do.

Form: 441609

(30)

Mezcala³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Channon| OR: 94| BF

9/2

Got back on the up when landing 22-runner Spring Mile at Doncaster in impressive fashion on return. Ran well on the back of an 8 Ib rise when third in handicap at Newbury (1m) last month. Up just a further 1 Ib and merits consideration back in a big field.

Form: 2127-13

(11)

Nizam¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

100/1

Winner of 3 of his 9 starts in France, most recently landing a 1m Deauville handicap last summer. Stepped up on reappearance when seventh at Epsom 13 days ago, meeting some trouble late on and losing 3 places close home.

Form: 2156-07

Non-Runners

(5)

Room Service²⁵⁷

Weight: 9-12| Age: 5

T: J A Osborne J: William Carver

Forecasts

Mezcala (9/2), Blue Brother (9/2), Royal Velvet (8/1), Dance In The Storm (17/2), The Wizard Of Eye (9/1), Cosi Bello (9/1), Elarak (12/1), Great Acclaim (12/1), River King (14/1), Colombier (22/1), English Oak (28/1), Defence Minister (28/1), Storm Star (33/1), Apiarist (33/1), The Lost King (33/1), Hickory (40/1), Golden Mind (40/1), Arctic Dawn (40/1), Stratusnine (50/1), Vafortino (50/1), Fondo Blanco (50/1), Pellitory (50/1), So Darn Hot (50/1), Room Service (50/1), Mirsky (66/1), The Fingal Raven (66/1), Rock Of Cashel (80/1), Nizam (100/1), Brasil Power (100/1)

A typically competitive renewal and preference is for GREAT ACCLAIM, who can build on his Victoria Cup effort and go one better here. The in-form Mezcala could have a plum draw and can make his presence felt once more, with Dance In The Storm and English Oak a couple of the fancies for the placings.