It’s Day 4 of Royal Ascot 2026 and our resident judge Dave Massey is back with more big-priced fancies ahead of another action-packed day of racing at the royal meeting.
Royal Ascot 2026: Fantastic Friday Tips
I was going to have one of my bigger each-way bets of the week here in the shape of Division (3:05), who I immediately marked down for this after his unlucky third in the Trial for this race back in May when he reared at the start, losing valuable ground, had to be switched for his run and came home very strongly for third, beaten half a length by Coppull and can surely be marked down as an unfortunate loser.
Royal Ascot 2026: Division (3:05)
We’re going to get the each-way price today because on form he can’t beat Venetian Sun, who cantered all over him (and the rest) at Haydock when winning the Sandy Lane, and he has three lengths to find on her. However, here’s the problem; a blind man can now see an advantage for the high numbers on the straight track and Division, being drawn 3, is probably on the wrong side. I can only have a small each-way bet now, and hope the draw has swung back by Friday.
Royal Ascot 2026: Plage de Havre (3:40)
I have already touched this week on the Klassleader handicap at York when Sing Us A Song finished second and that one ran every bit as well when fifth (and but for interference late, would have hit the frame) in the Copper Horse on Tuesday, so third-placed Plage De Havre (3.40) has to be on the shortlist. He was a bit keen from a wide draw early at York, where he couldn’t get cover, so it rates a very good effort (traded 1-2 in the run, he looked the winner at one stage) and in this big field and from stall 15, getting cover shouldn’t be a problem. Looks the best bet.
Royal Ascot 2026: Bintaziza (5:00)
I was quite keen on one here anyway, even before the draw and the way that’s panned out, so Bintaziza (5.00) rates one of the day’s better each-way bets, and I would suggest could be a gamble on the day; take the early prices now. Easy winner of her first two starts on the all-weather, her first go on turf at Thirsk couldn’t have gone much worse.
She was trapped out three wide for much of the contest, and then having to go wider still as the errant Krissy got in her way in the straight, she took her time to gather herself together but came home reality strongly with just the one crack of the whip from Ray Dawson to straighten her up; she gave the impression she had loads left in the tank, and the handicapper couldn’t touch her for it.
Royal Ascot 2026: Dickensian (6:10)
Dickensian (6.10), second in the Windsor Castle here last year, is fairly obvious but is worth pointing out all the same. Last year, he was showing a lot of speed in his races and not always seeing them out, so it was interesting to see new tactics employed on his reappearance at York last month, Shane Gray dropping him out and allowing a fast pace to come back to him at the finish.
He showed plenty of tenacity to poke his head in front late on, and that form looks strong; second Simplify is an improver, and third home Aspect Island lost nothing in defeat when finishing midfield in the King Charles III Stakes here on Tuesday. There should be more to come from him now he’s shown himself tactically versatile.
By Dave Massey
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