Ben Morgan’s Royal Ascot Day 1 tips – Talk Of New York to be the word on the street at Ascot

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for the action across day one of Royal Ascot 2026.

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2.30 – Queen Anne Stakes – Opera set to be the star of the show in the opener

A really interesting renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes kicks us off at Royal Ascot 2026 and Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand with Notable Speech and OPERA BALLO leading the market.

There is no doubting his two runners have standout chances and it is the more mysterious horse of the two which I prefer. Everyone knows about Notable Speech and his potent turn of foot but Opera Ballo arrives here with the same rating despite not many of us knowing how good he might be.

I would class this as his first acid test at the top level and I like the fact he can go on and make the running if needs be, however stablemate First Conquest, might just give him a nice lead in the race before he then assumes the running 2f out.

A strong stayer at the trip, the stiff finish will certainly play to his strengths and with everything else seemingly being played for a turn of foot, it might just suit him to be able to kick on earlier. At 4/1 he looks a really interesting bet.

3.05 – Watson to enhance Siouxperb record in Coventry Stakes

The first big field race of the week, everyone will be wanting to see if either side of the draw has an advantage over the other which is why it might be advisable to play two here.

I am not a huge fan of the favourite here and I fear Ryan Moore has chosen the wrong one in Confuscious, although with that said the 5/1 on offer with Great Barrier Reef isn’t all that appealing either.

I’d rather chance the speedy SIOUXPERB for the Archie Watson stable who looked very useful on debut at Yarmouth last time out.

He seemed to really get the hang of things late on and careered away under Holle Doyle. Watson has a fine record in this race and clearly likes to target it so the selection deserves full respect. A low draw is seemingly a plus in recent history although we won’t know for sure until after this race. 

If the double figure numbers have the advantage then I would want to be playing CUT A DASH who really impressed me at York when making a winning debut.

Richard Hannon wouldn’t have many first time out 2 year old winners at York so the fact this fellow was able to win, let alone in the style that he did, gives you an idea as to how good he might be. He has been well found in the market in recent days but at around the 9/1 mark, he looks much better value than the favourite. 

3.40 King Charles III Stakes – Starlust set for late thrust in competitive King Charles III Stakes

This is going to be a very fast 5 furlongs and the final half a furlong could make for very interesting viewing. I think it is anyone’s race in all honesty but am advising a few each way bets on a couple of lively outsiders.

If you can forgive JM JUNGLE his last start I think he could reward you at 66/1. A progressive sprinter for the John Quinn stable prior to that he has risen through the ranks showing a preference for some of quickest tracks in the country such as Goodwood and Epsom.

The flat out 5f gallop is likely to suit him here and for that reason I think he will outrun his odds. My other dart at the board is last year’s 4th and former Breeders Cup champion, STARLUST.

Ralph Beckett’s charge is often cursed by his supporters as his running style means he often arrives too late on the scene but in this case I think it might be a situation of pay your money and take your chance as the race conditions should really play into his hands.

If they go too quick up front, he will be finishing strong and at 40/1 I am willing to take a punt on him to pick up the pieces.

4.30 St James Palace Stakes – Talk Of New York set to light up Ascot

One of, if not the, race of the week is the feature race on Day 1. Bow Echo heads the market after his dominant Guineas victory over Gstaad, who went onto take the Irish Guineas after which upheld the form at least.

I would have my doubts about the overall form of the Guineas this year as there looked to be a lot of non-stayers in the field and plenty who just wouldn’t be good enough anyway. With that in mind I am encouraged to be taking a chance on TALK OF NEW YORK who arrives here on the back of a dominant 5l success at Sandown.

Always highly thought of at Charlie Appleby’s yard, he put in a below par run at Meydan which seemingly made connections change their plans and skip the Guineas. This might work out in his favour in the long run as his main rivals have already had some tough races where he has yet been asked to dig deep.

He will probably be asked to do just that in this race but I am very interested to see what he is actually capable of as I think he could be very smart. 

5.00 – Ascot Stakes – Beylerbeyi primed to flourish now upped in trip

Ian Williams’ Cesarewitch hero of 2025, BEYLERBEYI, has to concede a bit of weight to his rivals today but I think he might just be able to do that now he is up to full fitness.

A couple of ‘quiet’ runs this year over inadequate trips would have bought him on fitness wise, if nothing else and now upped to 2m 4f here. I think he will be ready to show his best form once again.

A hold up performer, he has the potential to be an unlucky loser in most of his races but over this trip and a stiff climb to the finish I would like to think there will be no unlucky losers here and given he so often gives his best running I would be pretty confident that he finishes in the places here. 

One at a slightly bigger price who could be interesting is BAHADAR who looked a very strong stayer over 2 miles last time, his first try at the trip, when shrugging off a useful yardstick at Goodwood.

There is no guarantee that he will now stay the extra 4f but everything he did that day suggested he would give himself the best chance to and if there is one lurking on a good mark, open to more improvement then I think it might be him.

5.35 – Wolferton Stakes – Hannon / Haatem hattrick on the cards 

HAATEM is bidding for his third straight Royal Ascot victory which would be some achievement for the horse and his connections.

Last year’s win in this race was preceded by a close victory in the Jersey in 2024 and on both occasions he has shown great heart and determination in order to get his head in front.

He has been handed a nice draw in stall 2 and will have come forward a lot from his recent run at Goodwood where his trainer, Richard Hannon, made it quite clear that it was a pipe opener for this race which was the ultimate aim. A consistent performer who always gives his best, I think he is a solid bet here. 

6.10 – Haggas improver could have plenty more to come in the finale on Day 1

The Copper Horse handicap concludes proceedings on Day 1 and with only 6lb splitting top and bottom weight I think this could be open for the best horse to step forward and do the business here.

I thought James Doyle gave VALIANCY a great ride last time out at Hamilton as he did his best to prevent a big hike from the handicapper. Despite those efforts from Doyle, the handicapper still gave him 8lbs which sees him run here off a mark of 98.

His overall profile suggests he is on an upward curve and although that 8lb rise might seem a lot, it still might not be enough to stop him winning here. The forecast quick ground is my only real concern but I was so impressed with him last time out that I am prepared to ignore those small doubts. 

READ MORE: Royal Ascot Race times, schedule, TV coverage and running order