Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Royal Ascot Day One Tips
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Day One of Royal Ascot 2026, tipping in all seven races.
Tuesday, Royal Ascot
OPERA BALLO can get Royal Ascot off to a blistering start by blasting apart his opposition in the Queen Anne (2.30). Although understandably overlooked for Notable Speech by William Buick, this is the coming force judged on his efforts in 2026, looking particularly impressive when defying a Group One penalty in the Sandown Mile. It is true that those freewheeling tactics are harder to deploy on this track, but there is precious little accompanying pace, and he might well be able to completely control the race.
NIGHT IN VEGAS might be able to give the Coolmore pair something to think about in the Coventry (3.05). He has been very striking both starts to date, managing even to run a decent figure in a three runner race at Goodwood when losing both front shoes. Course experience is a plus, as is his being drawn around nearly all the fancied runners. God Given Talent and the Scallionator are two that could go well at big prices.
RAYEVKA gets a narrow vote in the King Charles III (3.40). She ran a really strong race against the prevailing bias in the Commonwealth Cup last year and – although she’ll need a career best – she’s open to plenty of improvement now that connections have worked out that she needs to come from off a good pace over the minimum trip. She should get the perfect draft into the race behind Overpass and Big Mojo, and be poised to strike late.
BOW ECHO can confirm his quality in the St James’s Palace (4.20). A small field and a brace of talented Ballydoyle colts could combine to make life tough for the favourite, but evidence to date suggests he is blessed with superior tactical pace anyway, and will be comfortable enough saving ground and waiting for his moment. His appearance could hardly come with more stable confidence, and it will be disappointing if he can’t confirm the Guineas form.
BEYLERBEYI can produce the goods when it matters in the Ascot Stakes (5.00). He was really good in the Cesarewitch last year, showing hitherto unproven reserves of stamina. This requires more bottom still, but he’s a quirky sort of horse who is probably always saving something. His unconventional campaign has ensured that he has snuck into the ratings band for this, while ten furlongs around Epsom the other day will have tuned him up perfectly.
NAHRAAN is chanced in a really trappy edition of the Wolferton (5.35), where any number of old timers could suddenly spring back to life (5.35). Ultimately, I prefer a horse whose career is not apparently heading south, and whose only defeat to date came behind two absolute top notchers. Quicker ground is an unknown, but it might at least help him to get home over a distance that looks at the limit of his stamina.
SING US A SONG is high on the shortlist for the Day One finale, the Copper Horse (6.10). A return to 14 furlongs must surely suit this horse, who looks to be cycling towards a huge run. He might benefit from a slightly more patient ride over this trip, and has the right man on his back to execute those tactics.
