Royal Ascot ante-post tips: 66-1 chance in Nic Doggett's five outsiders

In recent years, there have been two 150-1 winners at Royal Ascot (Nando Parrado in the 2020 Coventry and Valiant Force in the 2023 Norfolk), while Khaadem sprang an 80-1 shock in the 2023 Group One Jubilee Stakes. 

The first two horses were maidens, while Khaadem hadn’t won in a year and had been beaten in listed company on his previous start, so finding those ultra-rewarding winners is not easy! 

But here are five horses - ranging from 20-1 to 66-1 - that could hit the frame at big prices at this year’s Royal Ascot: 

Given the army at Aidan O’Brien’s fingertips, and the fact that he already has 11 wins in the race, it’s no surprise that he has a firm grip on the ante-post market, but Siouxperb’s trainer Archie Watson spoiled the party with the once-raced Bradsell in 2022 (his second juvenile winner at the meeting having won the Windsor Castle in 2018 with Soldier’s Call). 

Siouxperb was well supported ahead of his debut at Yarmouth, and gave backers few moments of worry, winning with ease (from subsequent dual winner O’Gorman) despite showing signs of greenness on the lead throughout. 

Though he had run in a barrier trial at Lingfield, he is likely to have learned a lot from that experience - “a nice colt who is a bit unfurnished at the moment and came to hand earlier than expected” according to Watson – and the way he hit the line at Yarmouth suggests he will relish this stiff finish. 

Trained, like Khaadem, by Charlie Hills, Cicero’s Gift already knows something about springing a surprise having won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at 100-1 here in October.  

Just two starts later, his price is not a million miles off, but he has caught the eye in two starts this term; firstly, when heavily restrained at Sandown where he ran on well late in the day behind Opera Ballo, and then when too keen in the Lockinge won by Notable Speech at Newbury last time out.  

The pick of his form has come on softer ground, but I think the return to this venue is a big positive as he appeared to enjoy getting some daylight on the wing of the field here in October, having previously run well (again on the straight course) in the Balmoral Handicap as a four-year-old. 

This race will have been the plan for some time and better is expected. 

The Ascot Gold Cup has become something of a tussle between Aidan O’Brien and the Gosdens, and clearly Scandinavia, Trawlerman and the Roger Varian-trained Rahiebb could prove a cut above, but Dubai Future looks overpriced. 

He was unruly before the start and then given far too much to do under an ultra-patient ride when third in this race 12 months ago, but the now-10-year-old appears to have finally settled down for the removal of a hood judging by the way he behaved when beating Sweet William – who was conceding 5 lb - by a diminishing neck in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown last month. 

You could argue that his jockey David Probert stole that two-mile race with a positive mid-race move, but I think it demonstrated that the horse still possesses a decent turn of foot for a stayer when allowed to be get competitive earlier. 

With stamina assured, Probert could bid to repeat the tactics here in the horse's bid to become the oldest Royal Ascot winner since Caracciola lifted the 2009 Queen Alexandra Stakes as a 12-year-old!

Though not as big a price as many of these, perhaps because her case is a little more obvious, Touleenis expected to make a bold bid to secure a first win of her three-year-old season. 

A two-time winner last season, the Lope De Vega filly was well-backed ahead of her return in the Fred Darling at Newbury, and ran well in defeat, finding only Sukanya too good. 

She then caught the eye in defeat when sixth in the 1000 Guineas, staying on best of the bunch on the far side – which included subsequent Irish 1000 Guineas winner Precise - having been badly outpaced entering the dip. 

The stiff finish here should suit, and it looks significant that connections – who enjoyed success at this meeting in 2020 with subsequent King George winner Hukum - have waited for this race rather than be tempted by running in Ireland/France or stepping her up in trip. 

Alongside last year’s runner-up Satono Reve, Australian sprinter Joliestar makes the market here as she bids to give Chris Waller a second Royal Ascot winner after Nature Strip (2022 King’s Stand), but Aramramcaught the eye at York last time and is another who can call on a very solid book of form at this venue. 

The Richard Hannon-trained sprinter was given an awful lot to do when sixth in the 2025 Wokingham Handicap but won in gritty fashion back here in October. He then followed up in listed company on his return at Doncaster, moving well throughout off a strong gallop. 

At York last time, he raced on the near side of the track as the action unfolded on the far side, and, having been a little keen in the early stages, wasn’t able to match the finishing effort of the four ahead of him. 

Better than that effort, and now back on this stiff finish, he should be finishing his race better than most. As American Affair demonstrated last year in the King Charles II, there isn’t much of a jump between top handicapper and Grade One sprinter.