Racing
Royal Ascot 2026: Favourites BOOM or BUST (Part 1 – Days 1 & 2)
In part one of BOOM or BUST, I look at the favourites in each of the Group 1 events on day 1 and 2 of Royal Ascot and provide my thoughts as to whether I think they will win or not.
Notable Speech (Queen Anne Stakes, Tuesday 16th)
The opening Group 1 of the week is the Queen Anne Stakes and there’s a strong chance multiple top-level winner NOTABLE SPEECH will be able to get punters off to a great start.
He’s likely to come up against stablemate Opera Ballo but the former was so impressive in the Lockinge at Newbury and will prove extremely tough to beat with a repeat performance.
He didn’t enjoy the best of trips when fourth behind Docklands in this race twelve months ago but must have every chance of putting matters right this time. BOOM.
Overpass (King Charles III Stakes, Tuesday 16th)
Australian representatives always deserve the utmost respect given their good record at this meeting, so Bjorn Baker’s OVERPASS, who heads the market, has to be worth a second look.
This two-time Group 1 winner hasn’t won for a while but this isn’t the strongest of renewals and his early assured pace might catch a few of these out, which will give him a distinct advantage
His connections have clearly targeted this event and it would come as no surprise to see him come out on top. You can pick holes in most of the others, so he looks like a good bet to me. BOOM.
Bow Echo (St James’s Palace Stakes, Tuesday 16th)
The rematch between BOW ECHO and Gstaad should be a belter and it’s George Boughey’s charge who I think will confirm the Newmarket form and make it five wins from five starts.
He was so impressive when retaining his unbeaten record in the 2000 Guineas and will arrive fresher than his old foe, as the latter was last seen winning the Irish version at the Curragh.
The son of Night Of Thunder has a lot more room for improvement compared to his main rival and this race should give him an ideal setup, given how well he travels and can quicken when needed to. BOOM.
Daryz (Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, Wednesday 17th)
Arc winner DARYZ has won seven of his nine starts, including both starts this year, but I think he’s worth taking on in Wednesday’s feature, especially if conditions are quick. I just don’t see him having the pace to cope with the likes of Ombudsman to be completely honest.
I know he’s at the top of his game but his last visit to the UK turned out to be a complete disaster, as he failed to beat a rival when last of six behind Ombudsman in last year’s Juddmonte International at York. I am more than happy to oppose him, even if I end up with egg on my face. BUST.
