I’ve been looking around at the latest Royal Ascot betting odds, offering expert insight ahead of the biggest week in British summer racing. I’ve put everything together for you in one place, including some ante-post betting highlights and early Royal Ascot 2026 betting tips for each of the five days.
Key stats, top bookmaker recommendations, and answers to all the major questions punters need to know are all here. Whether you’re planning ahead or betting on the day, TPP has you covered.
Today’s Royal Ascot Betting Odds
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Royal Ascot Ante-Post Betting
It’s good to start getting involved with Royal Ascot ante-post betting before the meeting begins. Ante-post betting simply means placing wagers before the final declarations are made, often allowing you to secure bigger prices than those available on race day.
Many of the week's biggest contests already have ante-post odds attached, with plenty of excitement surrounding major handicaps such as the Royal Hunt Cup and the Wokingham. The eagerly anticipated clash between Daryz and Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is another race catching my eye.
If you're looking for Ascot betting tips, the ante-post markets can offer excellent value, especially when combined with Royal Ascot offers or free bets from leading UK betting sites.
Royal Ascot 2026 Betting Tips
I’ve had an early look at the available Royal Ascot betting. Based on what’s known of the likely contenders, and assuming good ground or faster, these are my advance pointers.
Wokingham Stakes Betting
One of the highlights of the meeting is the the Wokingham, a hell for leather six-furlong handicap on the straight course. It’s often about as easy to predict as virtual horse racing betting!
Double Rush is definitely well handicapped. He has taken the same two races at Newmarket that More Thunder won last year when he was well fancied for this race. Ultimately, More Thunder ran well without winning in the Wokingham, and I feel the same fate could befall Double Rush. He’s currently an 8/1 shot, behind 5/1 leader Binhareer.
Royal Hunt Cup Betting
Second in the Cambridgeshire last year, and also on his seasonal debut, Indalo is the clear favourite for the Hunt Cup. He’s solid, and he is improving, but surely the betting value lies elsewhere. Behind him, we’re going 16/1 and upwards, so there some tasty bets to be found with our best online bookies.
Ascot Gold Cup Betting
The Ascot Ladies Day highlight is definitely the Gold Cup, a famous old race that takes these Flat horses rather unusually over the marathon trip of two and a half miles. It’s betting market, and my Royal Ascot betting predictions, could all change dramatically though.
Last year’s runaway winner, Trawlerman, is still listed in the betting at around 6/1, but doesn’t seem likely to run after missing his prep race. If and when he’s finally withdrawn officially, then the 6/4 offered about Scandinavia will contract even more. The value lies elsewhere.
The St Leger betting odds can help predict future Gold Cup success, with both Scandinavia and Rahiebb representing that race this year.
Prince of Wales's Stakes Betting
This is huge. When Ombudsman won this race last year, he announced himself as one of the top three horses in the world. Since then, French runner Daryz has entered the scene, winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and starting this season with two dazzling successes at Longchamp.
He loves it next to the Seine, but he was off colour on his only trip to England last season, finishing well beaten behind Ombudsman at York. They clash again, with Henri Graffard’s colt taking a sizeable chunk out of the market at 6/5, and Ombudsman at 2/1. There’ll be full details in our upcoming horse racing betting previews.
St James's Palace Stakes Betting
The Classics are hugely important, but it shouldn’t go unnoticed that this race often features winners of the 2000 Guineas, the Irish 2000 Guineas, and the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. This time, the winners of all three of those events are entered, as well as another big improver from the Charlie Appleby yard, Talk Of New York.
Guineas winner Bow Echo is short at 11/10, and it’s hard to see why Gstaad should turn around the Newmarket form. The race probably revolves around four horses, all at the top of the market.
Queen Anne Stakes Betting
What a way to start the week. The Queen Anne, a Group 1 over the straight mile, is the very first race of the meeting. The key piece of form that always shapes this particular Royal Ascot betting market is the Lockinge Stakes (Newbury, May) but be warned – Lockinge winners don’t actually have a great record here.
Notable Speech is very classy though, and he deserves his place as the sub-2/1 favourite having won the Lockinge in good style. He saw off Damysus, More Thunder, Zeus Olimpios and others at Newbury, who are all attractive prices now, but it’s the presence of Opera Ballo that makes this market more interesting.
Jersey Stakes Betting
The seven-furlong Jersey Stakes isn’t traditionally an early betting race, but at the six-day stage when the entries come in, things will liven up. This event often suits those three-year-olds who just couldn’t see out the mile in the Guineas, or found that Group 1 contest too hot. There’ll be value to be had.
Coventry Stakes Betting
Though strictly speaking this is a sprint race, juveniles winning the Coventry Stakes will always get quotes for the following season’s 2000 Guineas. Aidan O’Brien’s Great Barrier Reef heads the way and is as short as 5/2, making him currently one of the top horse racing betting tips.
King Charles III Stakes Betting
Yet another highlight on a brilliant first day is the King Charles III Stakes, a five-furlong Group 1 sprint formerly known as the King’s Stand. The top of the market is dominated by the international contingent this year, with Australia’s Overpass and Joliestar up there alongside France’s Rayevka. Joliestar is the 9/4 jolly.
Queen Mary Stakes Betting
Much like the Jersey Stakes, we won’t see Queen Mary entries until the six-day entry stage but there are some ante-post odds. This will be a very competitive market, given that we’re dealing with a bunch of lightly raced two-year-old sprinting fillies, headed at the moment by Senorita Bonita. Keep an eye on the longest traveller horse racing stats – they’ll be at Ascot from far and wide for this one.
Windsor Castle Stakes Betting
Again, the Windsor Castle Stakes is a juvenile event with no advance entries. The market is quiet right now, featuring a couple of Aidan O’Brien horses at the top, but be careful with any ante-post Royal Ascot 2026 betting tips in this race, as many of the runners will also have an entry in the Coventry Stakes and won’t be guaranteed to run.
Norfolk Stakes Betting
The Norfolk Stakes is another of the juvenile races. The ante-post market has been created, with similar horses entered here, in the Coventry, and in the Windsor Castle. That muddies the waters somewhat, though Aidan O’Brien’s Carry The Flag leading the way at 4/1.
Albany Stakes Betting
Like we’ve already seen with the colts, markets for the fillies’ races will overlap, and that’s the case with the Albany. Sun Goddess does stand out in this market though and she is well clear at around 2/1. Even with the help of a horse racing betting guide, this is a tough race to call.
Commonwealth Cup Betting
The Commonwealth Cup, though in some danger of a demotion, has been a great invention. In the past, three-year-olds who couldn’t see out the mile in the Guineas had to wait and then face their elders in the July Cup at Newmarket. Now, they have this Group 1 over six furlongs against their own age group.
Flying filly Venetian Sun heads the market at this stage, in fact she’s well clear after her recent Haydock success.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Betting
Another of Ascot’s Group 1, million-pound races is the six-furlong Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Chris Waller’s Joliestar is favourite for this race, as well as the King Charles III, and it’s a double that has been done before.
Ascot keeps the two races apart (Tuesday / Saturday) in order for trainers to be able to attempt both. Should Joliestar win the five-furlong race, she’ll come into this contest as a very hot favourite indeed. Japan will also be represented here by Santone Reve, the 6/1 second favourite.
Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips [Tuesday]
We start with the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday, a Group 1 race for the older milers. It’ll be interesting to see who William Buick chooses to ride, and that will heavily influence the odds come declaration time. His Lockinge mount Notable Speech is the current favourite, but I really like Buick’s other option, Opera Ballo, who has star quality.
Speaking of William Buick, he and Charlie Appleby can also team up with Talk Of New York in the St James’s Palace Stakes. True, Guineas winner Bow Echo was outstanding at Newmarket, but this horse wasn’t ready for that occasion and has been brought along slowly. He was excellent when winning the Heron Stakes at Sandown. Charlie Appleby’s milers will also feature heavily un upcoming Breeders’ Cup betting.
When the final entries are in, I’ll have a more detailed run-down of my Royal Ascot betting tips for Tuesday.
Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips [Wednesday]
Royal Ascot betting tips for Wednesday will be heavily centred around the hugely anticipated clash between Daryz and Ombudsman. The French horse is very good, no doubt, and he seems to be versatile as well. Ombudmsan is slightly better value however, and he’s been there and done it in this race.
The other ante-post race on Wednesday is the Royal Hunt Cup, an absolute cavalry charge of a straight one-mile handicap. Lots will be well handicapped and trained specifically for this race, but it may well be worth taking a chance on 20/1 shot and improver Fifth Column. He represents the quality connections of Godolphin, the Gosdens, and likely rider William Buick.
Royal Ascot Day 3 Tips [Thursday]
Royal Ascot betting online is all about the Gold Cup on day three. Last year’s winner Trawlerman may not make it, while St Leger winner Scandinavia is surely bad value at 11/8 against 4/1 shot Rahiebb. Roger Varian’s runner was only just beaten in the Leger, and started off this campaign with a taking win in the Yorkshire Cup.
For each-way Royal Ascot day 3 betting tips, you could do a lot worse than take a second look at Sweet William, available at around 10/1. Some of our Gold Cup runners will also feature highly in the Melbourne Cup betting.
Royal Ascot Day 4 Tips [Friday]
Royal Ascot betting tips on Friday relies heavily on the three-year-olds. The six-furlong Commonwealth Cup market surrounds the filly Venetian Sun, who was outstanding at Haydock and has won at Ascot before. She gets some handy weight from the colts, but the each-way value lies with Wise Approach.
Full Royal Ascot Day 4 betting tips will be available on my daily betting previews throughout the royal meeting.
Royal Ascot Day 5 Tips [Saturday]
The six-furlong sprinters are in focus on Saturday. The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is the final Group 1 of the week, featuring strong overseas contenders. Joliestar’s chances, or even participation, may depend on how she does on day one in the King Charles III, making all other runners potentially better value right now.
Andrew Balding’s Flora Of Bermuda is worth a second look in the race, but the draw could be crucial. Full details will be on my horse racing betting tips for Saturday when the time comes.
In the Wokingham Stakes (handicap), Binhareer looks good at the top of the market is still improving.
Royal Ascot Facts & Key Stats
Some key stats and facts to remember about key Royal Ascot races.
Queen Anne Stakes
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Age – 22 of the last 23 winners were aged 4 or 5.
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Class – 16 of the last 22 winners had already won a Group 1 race.
St James's Palace Stakes
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Classic Form – The race is usually dominated by horses coming from the 2000 Guineas, including the Irish and French versions.
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No Market Surprises – Top-three-in-the-market runners perform extremely well compared with most Royal Ascot races.
Royal Hunt Cup
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Age – Four-year-olds are key. Nine of the last 12 winners were aged four.
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Official Rating – Most winners are rated between 95 and 105.
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Draw – Higher stalls have generally have an edge (double-figure draw) – but not when the ground is soft.
Big field handicaps like this are usually the best races to consider using horse racing spread betting in.
Gold Cup
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Stayers' Form – Previous form in elite staying races is critical.
Trends such as these have played a part in pro bettors’ thinking before, such as in the Lincoln Handicap betting.
Remember, the stats aren’t everything
Stats can be helpful with Royal Ascot races betting, but they are only a loose guide. Certain age groups and types will naturally win particular races but, ultimately, it’s about the quality of the individual horse and the conditions, rather than the numbers.
Top Royal Ascot Jockeys & Trainers
This meeting is truly elite, and the cream always rises. The Epsom the Oaks betting was dominated by Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden, as are many of the top races here. Trainers have more longevity than jockeys, so we’ve listed who are technically the best Royal Ascot trainers based on hard stats, along with the top three jockeys to watch at the meeting right now.
| Trainer | Royal Ascot Wins | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Aidan O’Brien | 90+ | The leading Royal Ascot trainer will bring another battalion of horses. Many will go off favourite. |
| John & Thady Gosden | 70+ | The Gosdens bring real quality to the show, not just extreme numbers. |
| Charlie Appleby | 20+ | Godolphin’s main UK trainer again relies on quality. He won’t be represented in every race, but he will always have a chance. |
Ryan Moore, the rider retained by Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien, is indisputably one of the best jockeys in the world and he rides Ascot like a dream. Epsom Derby betting literally changes depending on which O’Brien horse he chooses to ride, and Ascot could be similar.
Oisin Murphy is now a multiple champion jockey in Britain, and he is only just reaching his peak. He is so often the final piece of the jigsaw when a trainer has plotted a big performance at Ascot.
Finally, undoubted future champion jockey Billy Loughnane will get rides in the vast majority of Royal Ascot races this year, and for good reason. The top end of Royal Ascot festival betting odds will feature him heavily.
Recent Royal Ascot Winners
We’ve witnessed some fantastic moments at the royal meeting over the last five years. These are just some of the highlights:
The 2021 Commonwealth Cup was marred in controversy when American raider Campanelle was awarded the race after being bumped by Dragon Symbol. At the same meeting, Subjectivist won the Gold Cup at 13/2 for the popular Mark Johnston team.
Kyprios was a well backed winner of the Gold Cup for Aidan O’Brien, it was his first victory in the race, but not his last. After missing the 1000 Guineas with injury, beautiful filly Inspiral lit up Ascot with a comeback win in the Coronation Stakes under Frankie Dettori.
Having been inexplicably allowed to go off at 10/1, John Gosden’s Mostahdaf was superb in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, producing one of the best performances in the world in 2023.
Kyprios, having missed 2023, returned to regain the Gold Cup in 2024, a rare feat. French runner Calandagan announced himself on the scene with a stunning turn of foot to win the King Edward VII Stakes. He is now the highest rated horse in the world.
The flying grey colt, Field Of Gold, was beaten in the 2000 Guineas which led to Kieran Shoemark losing his job as first jockey to the Gosdens. Under Colin Keane, the horse romped home in the St James’s Palace Stakes. Ombudsman was scintillating in the Prince of Wales’s, and Trawlerman finally landed the Gold Cup in real style by seven lengths.
Latest news
The busiest, most important, and simply the best race meeting on the calendar is back. Royal Ascot 2026 is staged over five days, hosting 35 races including eight Group 1’s. Day one gets off with a bang, as the best turf milers in the world do battle in the Queen Anne. My Royal Ascot preview … Continued
Finally, the Epsom Derby 2026 is here. The rain has arrived, but it won’t spoil the party for the estimated 60,000 racegoers, nor for me as I double-down on my initial Derby picks. I have a main bet and a live each-way horse in my full Derby betting preview. The Derby Horse Racing Preview: My … Continued
Who will win the Oaks at Epsom? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. My Oaks predictions are now live, and I’m going for the Juddmonte team to breed their first winner of the fillies’ Classic since the brilliant Enable in 2017. I’m on – and you can get my full Epsom Oaks 2026 betting tips … Continued
I love punting at York. A fair track, always the best-in-category horses, this is a place we can rely on. I have four more Dante Festival betting tips for the final day of the meeting on Friday. Will we see the future Ascot Gold Cup winner? I’m going back in with more York horse racing … Continued
After Klassleader and Legacy Link’s wins, as well as Binhareer’s narrow defeat, it was a good start to the meeting. I’m back with four more York Dante Festival Thursday tips, the bet of the day being an underestimated filly, while I reckon the Dante is not going the way of the favourite. York Dante Festival … Continued
Royal Ascot Betting FAQS
Our top horse racing betting apps include SBK, Boylesports, and Betfred. All offer strong racing promotions, including for Royal Ascot.
The major handicap races are a lot like Grand National betting, competitive with a chance of outsiders winning. In the major Group 1’s, especially for older horses, stick to the known form and market leaders.
Yes. Any free sports bets offered that can be used on horse racing, can be also used during Royal Ascot week.
Some of our bookmakers offer extra places during major Royal Ascot races, especially handicaps. This is something we see with Scottish Grand National betting and other major races. As well as this, you can choose to take shorter odds and add extra places to your bets.
Opening accounts at more than one of our bookmakers can mean getting access to several, often very different new customer bonuses. Choose your bookmakers carefully, making sure they offer what you need.