ITV Racing commentator Richard Hoiles has shared his tips for the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday, with a 6/1 selection and a Willie Mullins-trained horse owned by King Charles among his picks. The seven-race card features the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, the King Charles III Stakes, and the St James's Palace Stakes.
In the Queen Anne Stakes, Hoiles fancies Docklands to win back-to-back after victory in 2025 and a second place in 2024. He noted that Notable Speech, who won the Lockinge, has been beaten on both previous visits to Ascot, including behind Docklands last year. Docklands has strong form at the track with figures reading 11322214.
For the Coventry Stakes, Hoiles expects Aidan O'Brien to dominate, selecting Confucius, a 1.7 million guineas yearling and the choice of Ryan Moore. Confucius was narrowly beaten on debut before winning easily at Naas. In the King Charles III Stakes, Hoiles prefers Australian raider Overpass, citing excellent runs in defeat including a fourth in the Everest behind world's best sprinter Ka Ying Rising.
In the St James's Palace Stakes, Hoiles tips Gstaad for revenge after finishing second to Bow Echo in the 2000 Guineas. He believes the presence of Puerto Rico will assist Gstaad, who has already won at the meeting and offers a bigger price. For the Ascot Stakes, Hoiles selects Reaching High, owned by King Charles and trained by Willie Mullins, noting a luckless run in the race last year and a chance to settle a score.
Hoiles also picks last year's winner Haatem in the Wolferton Stakes, highlighting Wathnan Racing's focus on this meeting. His final selection is in the Copper Horse Stakes, where he expects a strong performance from a horse with proven stamina.
