The Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is all set to be a belter on Wednesday. The feature race of Royal Ascot day 2 has attracted a stellar field, packed with Group 1 winners.

GG tipster Joe Napier previews the race, as Ombudsman and Daryz duel on the famous turf.

2026 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Runners

The middle distance clash we were all hoping for has materialised as Ombudsman clashes with Arc hero Daryz. The former won this last year in devastating fashion despite not always getting the smoothest passage. He sets the standard, but Daryz has gone up a level this term, easily winning two Group 1s in France and now looks versatile regarding trip.

The question for him will be how well he travels as he was last in his only visit to England. Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk will reoppose him, though she flopped in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and looks more of a 1m4f filly.

Almaqam won that Irish Group 1. Ed Walker has always been confident that his charge was good enough for the top level, but there are superstars in this field, which he may not quite be.

Devil’s Advocate and Mississippi River are in here for pacemaking duties, so Dancing Gemini and See The Fire are the remaining runners with any chance. The former is worth a go back up to this distance, but he and See The Fire need to step up markedly. Andrew Balding’s mare was a game third in this last season, but that appears the upper limit of her ability.

2026 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Racecard

16:20 Ascot

Good To Firm

Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

First Prize: £567100
1m 1f 212y
Class 1
8 runners

ITV

View Course

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

1 (1)

1 tip

Almaqam 24 days

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Form: 1233-1 D

OR: 122

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 5 yo Colt

Form

Last season concluded with fine third in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good; about 2l behind runner-up Ombudsman) and this 5yo looked better than ever when winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (10.5f, good) on his reappearance, with subsequent Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller 2l back in second and a disappointing Minnie Hauk in fifth; today’s company is even hotter but he might not be far away if the fast ground isn’t an issue.

2 (3)

Dancing Gemini 32 days

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Roger Teal

Form: 390-64

OR: 118

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 5 yo Colt

Form

Kept on for fourth in first-time cheekpieces (retained today) in the Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, having been beaten just a neck in the same Group 1 in 2025; on that latest evidence this step back up in trip is worth a go, but others arrive with stronger claims.

OUR TIP

3 (2)

1 tip

Daryz 27 days

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: F-H Graffard

Form: 621-11 D

OR: 127

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 4 yo Colt

Form

He made it five wins from his first seven starts when winning the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) last October, beating Minnie Hauk by a head, and he’s confirmed that brilliance this season with comfortable Group 1 wins at Longchamp in the Prix Ganay (10.5f, good) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (1m1f, soft); this race will take a lot more winning than his last two contests and it’s possible that 1m4f is his optimum trip, but he’s a leading player nevertheless.

4 (4)

Devils Advocate 54 days

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Form: 417-24 D

OR: 109

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 4 yo Gelding

Form

He was the pacemaker for stablemate Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes over C&D last October, when seventh of 11 at 66-1, and that’s set to be his role again this afternoon.

5 (7)

Mississippi River 32 days

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 51-570

OR: 99

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 4 yo Colt

Form

It was his first run above Listed class when making the running in the Group 1 Lockinge at Newbury (1m, good) last month, finishing last of ten; once more set for pacemaking duties, to assist stablemate Minnie Hauk.

6 (8)

1 tip

Ombudsman 20 days

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Form: 212-11 CD

OR: 128

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 5 yo Colt

Form

Won this by 2l last year (good to firm) and he’s added two further Group 1 wins since; confirmed his wellbeing when defying a penalty in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago following a two-month break; this is a tougher line-up than 12 months ago and he was runner-up to Daryz’s stablemate Calandagan in the Champion Stakes over C&D (good) last October, so he’s not bombproof, but he has extremely strong credentials.

7 (5)

Minnie Hauk 24 days

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 126-15 DBF

OR: 123

W: 8st 13lb

Age: 4 yo Filly

Form

1m4f Group 1 wins last summer in the Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks (good to soft-good to firm) before taking on males in the Arc at Longchamp (1m4f, very soft) and finishing a clear second to Daryz, beaten just a head; reappeared with a Group 2 win at the Curragh (1m2f, good) and, while she has something to prove after a disappointing run there in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5f, good), she may well be in the mix if she’s back to her best.

8 (6)

See The Fire 34 days

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Form: 429-11 D

OR: 116

W: 8st 13lb

Age: 5 yo Filly

Form

Secured back-to-back Group 2 Middleton wins at York (10.5f, good to firm/good) last month; went very close to making Group 1 breakthrough in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp (1m2f, very soft) last October but beaten just over 4l by Ombudsman when third in this last year (good to firm) and it’s likely that her limitations will again be exposed today.

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Betting Forecast

6/1 Almaqam, 40/1 Dancing Gemini, 6/4 Daryz, 100/1 Devils Advocate, 200/1 Mississippi River, 11/8 Ombudsman, 8/1 Minnie Hauk, 16/1 See The Fire

Verdict

A thrilling clash between DARYZ and Ombudsman, with the French challenger taken to come out on top. The 4yo is the younger of the pair and, following his Arc win last October, he has confirmed his superstar status with impressive wins in two further Group 1s at Longchamp this season. Connections’ Calandagan beat Ombudsman to win the Champion Stakes over C&D last October and Daryz can do likewise. Ombudsman should prove a very tough opponent, however, in a race that promises to be a gripping spectacle. Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk was disappointing in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh but could be involved if leaving that run behind, while Almaqam showed improved form to win that Group 1 contest by 2l and is not ruled out.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Daryz

POSTDATA:

Ombudsman

TOPSPEED:

Almaqam

Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Trends 2026

For Wednesday’s feature, here are the key trends to follow ahead of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

Five of the last six winners have been four years old
The last six runnings have been won by the Gosdens or O’Briens (two for Aidan, one for Joseph)
Only two favourites have won in the past decade
Six of the last ten winners have gone off at 5/1 or bigger

2026 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Tips

Daryz is hugely improved since finishing last in the Juddmonte International on his only British run so far. However, that result would still induce nerves as to how well he travels abroad, especially as he faces defending champion Ombudsman. This represents the Gosden runner’s ideal conditions and he can win back-to-back renewals. Almaqam is the likeliest to muscle in on the duel.

Ombudsman

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

T: F-H Graffard

T: Ed Walker

FAQ

When and where is the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes?

The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes will take place at Ascot racecourse on Wednesday 17 June, 2026 at 4pm.

How can I watch the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday?

The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is live on ITV Racing at 4pm on Wednesday.

When were the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes tips published?

The tips for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes were published at 1.46pm on Tuesday 16 June.

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