2026 Royal Ascot tips: Harry Allwood's five best bets

Race: Copper Horse Stakes (6.10, Tuesday).

Best odds: 11-4.

This four-year-old looked a work in progress last season and after tasting defeat in a couple of handicaps, William Haggas’ charge made it third-time lucky in a valuable contest at Haydock when wearing first-time cheekpieces, which looks strong form. 

The third won a Listed race on his next start and finished fifth in the Sky Bet Melrose on his previous outing, plus the overall time was quicker than the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (over the same course and distance on the same card).

Valiancy clearly developed over the winter and returned with an eye-catching victory in a 0-90 handicap at Hamilton where he met trouble at a crucial stage before storming home, and clocked a couple of impressive RaceiQ sectionals in the final two furlongs.Winning-rider James Doyle said afterwards that Valiancy’s work had been “more professional”, which is why the cheekpieces were dispatched, and this late-developing son of Cracksman looks closer to the finished article now. Stepping back up to 1m6f at Ascot will also suit this relentless galloper who has been strong at the finish on his past two outings.An 8lb rise does, of course, demand more, but he ought to have lots more to offer, and while stall 14 is a potential negative, he is a hold-up performer who should be able to tuck in behind rivals before challenging late, and Belloccio scored from the same draw in 2024.

Race: Queen's Vase (3.05, Wednesday).

Best odds: 5-2.

It was easy to see why Galiyan was unraced at two when watching his debut at Newmarket in April where he was scrubbed along throughout before making eye-catching late headway. 

He clearly benefitted enormously from that experience when scoring over an extended 1m4f at Chester on his next outing where he defeated Joulany, a full-brother to Al Aasy who finished a close third behind Betfred Derby runner-up Maltese Cross on his previous outing, and the third bolted up on his next start (albeit in a weak contest). 

Galiyan still displayed signs of greenness there, but shaped like a thorough stayer, and therefore should relish the Queen’s Vase trip. 

A more galloping track should suit, too, and to achieve that level of form on just his second outing, while still in need of experience, suggests he’s a smart colt in the making.

I expect him to take another big step forward now, and he could also be a potential St Leger contender this year (I’ve had a small bet on him at the 25-1 available). 

Race: Britannia Stakes (4.50, Thursday).

Best odds: 10-1 (each-way).

If you haven’t already, I suggest you watch a reply of the Xenon Workplace Handicap that Moonfall finished fifth in on his return from a 299-day absence last time out. 

With Billy Loughnane opting to ride stablemate McMurray (sent off the well-backed 13-8 favourite), jockey bookings suggested Moonfall was the lesser fancied of the two George Boughey-trained contenders, but he produced a hugely eye-catching effort in defeat. 

Held up from his wide draw under Ryan Moore, the son of Starman raced keenly before suffering traffic problems in the straight, and stayed on strongly once in the clear, despite not being given the hardest time.It was no surprise he clocked the highest Finishing Speed Percentage (according to the RaceiQ data) there, and remains on a rating of 90 following that effort. Moonfall’s novice form from last year over inadequate trips has been working out relatively well, and his only blip was in the bet365 Superlative Stakes, where he finished last, although something may have been amiss there, given he wasn’t seen again until this year. The fact he contested a Group Two suggests connections believe he is better than a rating of 90, though, and his latest effort also suggests he is nicely treated.His half-sister, Soprano, who relished fast ground, landed the Sandringham Stakes in 2024 (off a rating of 100), and the selection should sneak into this contest off a low weight (Billy Loughnane may need "a few quiet days on the food", according to Boughey!), so looks an each-way play at the 10-1 on offer.

Race: Commonwealth Cup (3.05, Friday).

Best odds: 7-4.

Karl Burke made it no secret how highly he regarded Venetian Sun last year, and his star filly produced a high level of form, which included victory in the Prix Morny, and the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

Hopes were high that she would stay a mile in the Betfred 1000 Guineas on her return, but after failing to stay at Newmarket, there was also a slight concern she hadn’t trained on. However, those doubts were quashed following her impressive win in the William Hill Sandly Lane Stakes last time out, and that performance suggests she is at least as good this season. 

Venetian Sun came back on the bridle entering the final furlong, and while she only clocked an average time, the ground was good to soft, and she was only nudged out to score. 

A return to Ascot on quicker ground will not be a hinderance, and Burke has sounded highly positive about her credentials in recent weeks. 

I believe there’s a chance she could outclass her rivals here, and I would have her chalked up shorter than the general 7-4 on offer. If I had to nominate one, she’d be my banker of the meeting. 

Race: Wokingham Stakes (5.00, Saturday).

Best odds: 7-1 (each-way).

Binhareer clocked some impressive RaceiQ data en route to a luckless second on his return at York in May, and a repeat of those figures would see him go close here, despite a 5lb higher mark. He will need things to fall right, though, as he appears reliant on gaining some cover, and he relished some cut in the ground when scoring at York last year, so may be best suited with some ease underfoot.

With that in mind, Double Rush looks the pick (not very original, I know) following his two impressive victories at Newmarket this season. 

The four-year-old has looked a different performer since joining Andrew Balding this season and hinted he’s a potential Group performer in a handicap on his return when recording the best RaceiQ Time Index on the card. It was also noteworthy he was sent off the well-supported favourite there plus recorded another dominant victory over the same course and distance when 8lb well in under a penalty next time out. 

Now rated 105, this will surely be his final start in a handicap, and connections have mentioned the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup as a potential target this season, so ought to be going close here if he is a genuine Group One contender.

One slight niggle is he disappointed on his only outing at Ascot last year, but that was at the end of a long season, and I'm willing to forgive that effort. 

Fast ground will suit, and at a best-priced 7-1, he looks the standout among the entries.