Hector Crouch rode a double at Windsor on Monday evening and heads to Royal Ascot for Day 1 of the royal meeting. Read his exclusive preview each and every day this week with kwiff.
Hector Crouch: Royal Ascot 2026
Monday was a nice start to the week, with an opening double for trainer James Tate with a couple of promising horses. That followed a good few days, including with Beagle Bay winning well at Sandown on Saturday. We thought he might be able to scrape into tomorrow’s Royal Hunt Cup under a penalty, but he misses out and still remains a horse with a lot of potential and a big future.
Royal Ascot 2026: Tuesday, Day 1
Siouxperb (3.05) won nicely on his debut at Yarmouth, and the form has been franked since. I’m hoping we’ve got a decent draw (in stall 6) but we won’t really know until the day. We’re drawn near the second favourite, so he should get a nice toe into the rain and he seems an uncomplicated type. Archie (Watson) rates him highly and he should go well.
The King Charles III Stakes looks more wide-open than it perhaps has been in recent years, and I’m hoping Clive Cox’s Shagraan (3.40) can go better than his odds of 50/1 suggest. He likes the track, and will love the ground, but it is admittedly a stiff ask against the Australians here.
Royal Ascot 2026: Wednesday, Day 2
The opening Queen Mary Stakes looks to have plenty of depth, but I’m hoping Bint Archange (2.30) runs well for the Richard Hughes yard. She was very impressive when winning her maiden over course and distance, quickening clear in good style. She was pretty dominant that day, admittedly it’s a bit of an unknown what she beat. Nevertheless, the course form and likely fast ground will play to her strengths and she has a good chance.
You can put a line through Blue RC (5.00) who had no chance in the ground last time out at Newbury. We’ve always thought a mile on fast ground was right up his street so he should go well in The Royal Hunt Cup. Admittedly, you need a lot of luck to win a race like this but he’s in good order and he should run well.
Freedom Flame (6.10) improved on her debut effort to win at Redcar, taking on the boys in The Windsor Castle Stakes. It’s a very competitive race but she gets 5lb from the boys and is worth chancing upped in this grade. She wears a hood for the first time and that hopefully brings further improvement from her.
By Hector Crouch
Please note that the information provided in this Hector Crouch: Royal Ascot 2026 article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
