Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips: Garry Owen Backs Aidan O'Brien Double Success

Royal Ascot Day 2 tips and best bets as Garry Owen predicts double success for Aidan O'Brien. After a thrilling opening day to the Berkshire meeting, our man looks through the card for the second day.

Minnie Hauk to Shine in Prince of Wales's Stakes

MINNIE HAUK (4:20) can swoop in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes on Day Two of Royal Ascot. Aidan O’Brien’s star broke into the big time by outbattling Whirl in last year’s Epsom Oaks. She extended her time there by with a far easier win in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. The bay completed a hat-trick by caning Estrange in the Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire. She was even better when very narrowly beaten by mighty Daryz in the Arc at Longchamp. The four-year-old began 2026 by emphatically defeating Edward Hamilton at the Curragh. She then wasn’t suited by the way the race was run when fifth in the Tattersalls back there. The Irish hope should be able to dominate today so she can turn the tables on some old foes.

Sergei Diaghilev in Windsor Castle Stakes

O’Brien can call the tune again with SERGEI DIAGHILEV (6:10) in the Windsor Castle Stakes. The colt was a well-backed 4/6 favourite ahead of his debut in a Curragh maiden last month. He overcame his inexperience to defeat Switching Sides in convincing style by half-a-length. The juvenile learned plenty so he can put the effort to good use against some exciting rivals.

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More Champagne in Queen Mary Stakes

MORE CHAMPAGNE (2:30) can sparkle for US Ace Thomas Morley in the Queen Mary Stakes. The filly showed blistering speed when hosing-up from Shining Moment on debut at Keeneland. The two-year-old looks well-suited to this Group 2 so she can see off some promising opponents.

Limestone for Queen's Vase

LIMESTONE (3:05) looks solid for Joseph O’Brien in a cracking renewal of the Queen’s Vase. The colt built on some fine juvenile form by caning Mr Vettori over 1m 2f on his return at Cork. He was then faced with a further three furlongs when tackling the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan. The three-year-old relished the extra distance when decisively defeating the talented Asakir. The bay is a proper St Leger contender so he can book his place at Doncaster by taking this Group 2.

Friendly Soul in Duke of Cambridge Stakes

FRIENDLY SOUL (3:40) can be a punters’ pal for Team Gosden in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. The mare got her career back on track when hacking-up from Doom in a one-mile Group 3 here. She didn’t mind returning to 1m 2f when comfortably defeating Birthe in a Deauville Group 2. The bay hit new heights when cosily denying Running Lion in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp. She was lucky to escape injury when pulled-up after stepping in a hole on her return at Haydock. The four-year-old was unscathed so she can get her season properly underway back down in trip.

Jagged Edge in Royal Hunt Cup

JAGGED EDGE (5:00) looks sharp for Stephen Thorne in the ever-competitive Royal Hunt Cup. The bay handled a big field well when edging Genuine Article for Dermot Weld at the Curragh. He then didn’t quite stay 1m 2f when unplaced behind Shaool in another valuable event there. The gelding was dropped back to a more suitable trip on debut for his new connections at Navan. He justified his purchase price by powering to victory from Far From Dandy in a strong handicap. This massive prize has been the aim ever since so he can pull off the plan for his shrewd handler.

Stateira in Kensington Palace Stakes

STATEIRA (5:35) can reign supreme for Andrew Balding in the trappy Kensington Palace Stakes. The bay stayed upwardly mobile by bolting-up from Nikki Swango on the Newcastle all-weather. She reached new heights when crushing Indigo Dream on Finals Day over the same track and trip. Those victories earned the filly a tilt at the Group 2 Lawnwades Stud back on Turf at the Curragh. She was far from disgraced when an unlucky third behind the rapidly-improving City Of Memphis. The four-year-old remains upwardly mobile so she can defy a welter-burden dropped in grade.