Royal Ascot

Today, June 20, 2026FlatClass 11m3fGood Firm

Verdict

The remarkably consistent and versatile KALPANA can confirm last year's strong King George form with Jan Brueghel and record a third Ascot success. The Ballydoyle duo should ensure this is a thorough test, which could play into the hands of Ethical Diamond, who showed an impressive turn of foot off an end-to-end gallop when successful in the Breeders' Cup last year.

Kalpana
Jan Brueghel
Ethical Diamond

Win or Each Way

Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places

11. Kalpana
J: C. T. KeaneT: Andrew Balding
F: 1/322271-1
Price History:
3.75
Age:
5
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Very smart mare who chased home Calandagan in last year's King George (Jan Brueghel in fourth) before landing a second successive win in Group 1 Fillies' & Mares' Stakes over C&D and, having won a shade cosily on return at Newbury, she looks primed for another big performance at this track.
6. Jan Brueghel
J: Ryan MooreT: Aidan O'Brien
F: 111/214-12
Price History:
4.75
Age:
5
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Produced a career best when outstaying Calandagan in the 2025 Coronation Cup but never went with the same fluency when a well-held second in this year's renewal. He's a high-class performer on his day, though, and the likely strong gallop should bring his stamina into play.
5. Goliath
J: Christophe SoumillonT: Francis-Henri Graffard
F: 152103-21
Price History:
5.50
Age:
6
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
20
Verdict
Impressive winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth stakes here in 2024. Since ran well in Group 1 company without scaling those heights, though this race has reportedly been a long-term target, and he arrives on the back of cosy Group 2 success at Chantilly.
2. Best Secret
J: James DoyleT: S. Wattel
F: 3/21311-61
Price History:
7.50
Age:
4
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
48
Verdict
Won 3 of 4 races since an encouraging third in the Golden Gates handicap at this meeting 12 months ago, decisively seeing off West Wind Blows in the Group 3 Prix d'Hedouville at Longchamp (soft) last time, though likely needs another career best to be in the mix.
3. Ethical Diamond
J: D. B. McMonagleT: W. P. Mullins
F: 24/111-5
Price History:
9.50
Age:
6
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
84
Verdict
Most progressive following his C&D success in 2025 Duke of Edinburgh, capping an unbeaten Flat season in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Things didn't pan out as well for him in the Sheema Classic on return in late March, however, and he can get back on track in a race that should be run to suit.
4. Giavellotto
J: Oisin MurphyT: Marco Botti
F: 1/53142-33
Price History:
12.00
Age:
7
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
84
Verdict
Last season's L'Arc de Triomphe fourth who couldn't quite make it back-to-back victories in the Hong Kong Vase in December and was unable to land a blow when third in the Sheema Classic in late March. He'll be suited by the bigger field and likely strong pace this time, though.
12. Santorini Star
J: Tom MarquandT: William Haggas
F: 144112-12
Price History:
23.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-0
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
30
Verdict
Progressive mare who bagged Group 2 success in the Jockey Club at Newmarket (1½m) on return before showing a tenacious attitude back up in trip when narrowly denied in Longchamp Group 1 (15.5f). She's the type to benefit from cheekpieces, though is unlikely to be able to dictate in a deeper race.
10. West Wind Blows
J: William BuickT: Simon & Ed Crisford
F: 21-42222
Price History:
29.00
Age:
7
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
35
Verdict
Seen to maximum effect when chasing home Calandagan in Dubai Sheema Classic before running to a similar level in pushing the returning Kalpana close in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury. However, he's probably flattered by the bare form of that run and is worse off at the weights this time.
1. Amiloc
J: Rossa RyanT: Ralph Beckett
F: 11/11124-6
Price History:
23.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
36
Verdict
Went from strength to strength last year, completing a 5-timer in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting before shaping with plenty of credit in defeat in the Irish St Leger/Breeders' Cup Turf, and he clearly didn't give his running when turned over in the Yorkshire Cup on return.
7. Lambourn
J: W. M. LordanT: Aidan O'Brien
F: 211154-13
Price History:
26.00
Age:
4
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
14
Verdict
Made all in the 2025 Derby before doubling up in the Irish Derby. Successful in the Huxley Stakes at Chester on return, though he ended up as a pacemaker for Jan Brueghel when a distant third in the Coronation Cup last time and may perform a similar role on this occasion.
9. Sons And Lovers
J: Pierre-Charles BoudotT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien
F: 34513-144
Price History:
91.00
Age:
5
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
44
Verdict
Smart sort who has picked up plenty of prize money in the Middle East this year and he did as well as could be expected when 7¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Jan Brueghel in Ormonde Stakes at Chester. Worth a go in first-time cheekpieces back over shorter, though is probably vulnerable in a strong Group 2.
8. Phantom Flight
J: Billy LoughnaneT: George Scott
F: 6371-1916
Price History:
126.00
Age:
7
Weight:
9-3
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
63
Verdict
Smart 7-y-o who enhanced a fine course record when winning the Group 3 HM The King's Cup at Sakhir (Bahrain) in April. Hard to make a strong case for on the back of a below-par run in the Group 3 John Porter at Newbury later that month, but he should at least be fresher following a break.
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