Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips: Garry Owen Naps Mission Central in King's Stand Stakes

Royal Ascot Day 1 tips and best bets as Garry Owen naps Aidan O'Brien speedster for prestigious opening day race. It's the pinnacle event of the summer season and our man has picked out his selections.

Mission Central (3:40) Can Take Command in King's Stand Stakes

MISSION CENTRAL (3:40) can take command in the King's Stand Stakes on Day One of Royal Ascot. Aidan O'Brien looks set for another huge week and this rising speedster can be an early highlight. The colt led down a legion of supporters when well-beaten on debut on the Dundalk all-weather. He compensated plenty of them when hammering Chicago Pope over six furlongs at the Curragh. The bay seemed to confirm that was his best trip by caning The Publican's Son in a Group 3 there. He didn't look suited by a drop to 5.5 furlongs when only fifth in the Flying Childers at Doncaster. The three-year-old showed a liking for this track by pipping Ardisia in a valuable conditions event. The Coolmore raider looked over the top when unplaced at the Breeders' Cup Meeting at Del Mar. He didn't mind staying over five furlongs when brushing aside Likedbymike on his return at Naas. He finally proved a preference for that trip when slamming Gazelle D'or in a similar contest there. The son of No Nay Never looks perfectly-suited to this Group 1 so he can deny a world-class field.

Great Barrier Reef (3:05) for Coventry Stakes

The Ballydoyle ace can enjoy a double with GREAT BARRIER REEF (3:05) in the Coventry Stakes. The juvenile was a warm 4-9 favourite ahead of his debut in a typically strong Curragh Maiden. He completely justified those odds with a commanding six-length defeat of the promising Ischgl. The colt was immediately pitched into the Group 3 Marble Hill over the same course and distance. That proved to be no problem for the youngster as he comfortably disposed of Carry The Flag. The son of No Nay Never is potentially top-class so he can deny some exciting foes in the Group 2.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Opera Ballo (2:30) for Queen Anne Stakes

OPERA BALLO (2:30) can put on a massive show for Charlie Appleby in the Queen Anne Stakes. The four-year-old oozed class when taking his first two career starts in terrific style at Kempton. Expectations were briefly tempered when he could only finish sixth in the Craven at Newmarket. The colt resumed his upward curve by bolting-up from Bay City Roller in a Sandown Listed event. He continued his climb with another convincing defeat of Seagulls Eleven in a similar event at HQ. The bay signed-off with a good second to the classy Zeus Olympios in the Group 2 Joel back there. He kept-up the good work by taking two top-level prizes at the Meydan Carnival during the Winter. However, he really excelled himself by showing Field Of Gold no mercy in a Group 2 at Sandown. The Godolphin star remains on the rise so he can add a red-hot renewal of this Group 1 to his CV.

Bow Echo (4:20) for St James's Palace Stakes

BOW ECHO (4:20) can stretch his amazing unbeaten run to five in the St James's Palace Stakes. George Boughey's superstar looked classy when crushing Be The Standard on debut at Newbury. He shrugged-off a swift promotion to Listed level by caning Publish in the Ascendant at Haydock. That triumph led the fast-rising handler to target the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. The colt duly burst into the 2026 Classic picture with a smooth defeat of the talented Humidity. Given time to develop, the bay was pitched directly into the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. He showed the wisdom of that decision by giving Gstaad absolutely no quarter on the Rowley Mile. The three-year-old looked vastly superior to his rival so he can put him in his place yet again today.

Mordor (5:00) for Ascot Stakes

MORDOR (5:00) can terrify his opponents for Gordon Elliott in the ever-competitive Ascot Stakes. The useful hurdler stayed 2m 4f well on the Flat when chasing home Kyle Of Lochalsh at Goodwood. He showed reasonable pace as well as stamina when second again to Mo Ghille Mar at the Curragh. Unplaced in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, he hosed-up on his comeback over 1m 6f at Navan. The gelding ran well again when third behind Touch The Moon back up in trip at Punchestown. He then warmed-up nicely for this race by filling the same spot in a three-mile hurdle at Kilbeggan. The six-year-old looks ideal for this lucrative marathon so he can prevail for his top connections.

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration

Ghostwriter (5:35) for Wolferton Stakes

GHOSTWRITER (5:35) can tell the tale for Kevin Phillpart De Foy in the tricky Wolferton Stakes. The colt looked a Classic contender for Clive Cox when taking the Royal Lodge at Newmarket. He was far from disgraced with a number of respectable efforts in Group 1 company in 2024. The bay began to struggle when disappointing on his first couple of efforts the following year. He bounced back when third to Rebel's Romance in the Hardwick at this meeting last season. The five-year-old should benefit from a change of scenery so he can triumph dropped in class.

Daiquiri Bay (6:10) for Golden Gates Handicap

DAIQUIRI BAY (6:10) can pay for a few rounds by landing the trappy Golden Gates Handicap. Alan King's bay handled this track well enough when eighth in the George V 12 months ago. He then stayed 1m 6f well when third to Tarriance in a high-quality renewal of the Melrose. The gelding hated the soft conditions when a tame fifth to Tenability back over 1m 4f here. He benefited from a faster surface when a close third to Yabher at Newmarket in October. The five-year-old returned in style by easily reeling-in Gamrai in a similar handicap there. The Barbery Castle raider looks nicely unexposed as a stayer so he can strike back up in trip.