Ombudsman can secure victory for a second successive season in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (4.20pm) on the second day of Royal Ascot 2026. The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old can win the 1m2f Group One feature of the second day of the Royal meeting again and deny French raider, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Minnie Hauk.
Ombudsman looks to have everything coming right to defend his crown. He is in fine form and will get the good to firm ground similar to when he scored last year, landing a first Group One victory. He went on to be a neck second to Delacroix in the Group One Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown the following month before comfortably beating that rival in the Juddmonte International at York in August.
He lost nothing in defeat when second to the hugely-talented Calandagan over this same course and distance in the Group One QIPCO Champions Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot on his final start of 2025 in October. The Godolphin-owned entire grabbed a third Group One victory in around 10 months at Meydan in March and scored in the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on his first start back in Britain last month. That run should put him spot on for his return to Ascot. He has also been second in the same event before his Prince Of Wales's success 12 months ago. It looks a cracking renewal of the day two feature but Ombudsman can hold them at bay to triumph.
Gosdens Also Eye Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
The Gosdens can also win the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (3.05pm) with Friendly Soul. The five-year-old daughter of Kingman won over course and distance in the Group Three Valiant Stakes on good to firm going in July last summer before going on to score at the top level in the Prix de l'Opera at ParisLongchamp on very soft ground in the autumn. She was pulled up when she stepped in the now infamous 'Haydock hole' on her seasonal return on Merseyside last month. Thankfully she was none the worse for that mishap at Haydock Park and she looks to hold a big chance of putting that behind her and landing this Group Two contest ahead of chiefly Andrew Balding's recent Goodwood Listed winner Blue Bolt.
Wild Blossom for Queen Mary Stakes
Wild Blossom can give Liverpool FC fan, trainer Karl Burke another victory in the opener on day two, the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes (2.30pm). Middleham handler Burke has won the five-furlong sprint twice in the past four years with Dramatised (2022) and Leovanni (2024). The last-named was also owned by Wathnan Racing and won the same Nottingham maiden that Mehmas filly Wild Blossom took in such striking fashion last month. Wild Blossom can also triumph ahead of chiefly the O'Brien-trained Victorious.
Port Of Spain for Queen's Vase
Port Of Spain can provide Irish trainer O'Brien with record ninth victory in the Group Two Queen's Vase (3.05pm). The Ballydoyle handler, who is edging nearer 100 Royal Ascot winners, has taken this 1m6f contest with some smart stayers over the years including future Ascot Gold Cup hero Leading Light, St Leger scorer Kew Gardens and the smart Illinois two years ago. Port Of Spain is yet to show if he could hit those heights with just one win from seven starts. But the son of the stable's former smart middle distance performer St Mark's Basilica can show marked improvement stepped up in trip having run well enough on his seasonal return in the always-informative London Gold Cup over 1m2f at Newbury last month. Port Of Spain can triumph ahead of chiefly the Andrew Balding-trained recent Chester maiden scorer Galiyan and Joseph O'Brien's Limestone, a winner of a 1m5f Listed contest at Navan last time.
Classic for Royal Hunt Cup
Classic can win the Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (5pm). The Richard Hannon-trained six-year-old won over a mile at Sandown last July and was a decent second in the seven-furlong International Handicap at Ascot later that month. He was also second in the Sprint Cup at Newbury in April on his seasonal return and then went one better when scoring back at that Berkshire track last month. He is in top form and looks to hold a big chance of victory in the Hunt Cup. Others who can run well in the always-competitive contest are Burke's former Royal winner Holloway Boy and the Gosdens-trained Fifth Column.
Alobayyah and Sergei Diaghilev for Later Races
Willie Haggas' Alobayyah can win the Kensington Palace Stakes (5.35pm), having been a decent third over course and distance on his seasonal return last month. Sergei Diaghilev, named after the founder of the Russian Ballet, can dance to victory in the finale to day two, the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (6.10pm). The O'Brien-trained two-year-old son of Wootton Bassett scored on his racecourse debut in a maiden at the Curragh last month and two of those in behind have won since. He looks an exciting prospect and can continue his progress in the six-furlong contest.
Wright Ones: Royal Ascot Day Two Selections
- 2.30pm: Wild Blossom
- 3.05pm: Port Of Spain
- 3.40pm: Friendly Soul
- 4.20pm: Ombudsman
- 5pm: Classic (NAP)
- 5.35pm: Alobayyah
- 6.10pm: Sergei Diaghilev
