Royal Ascot 2026 Tips - Four outsiders to back for the Royal meeting
This article highlights four outsider horses poised to make an impact in the Group One races at Royal Ascot 2026. Lake Forest looks primed for the Queen Anne Stakes after an impressive comeback. Cy Fair, an American sprinter, benefits from favorable weights in the King Charles III Stakes. Spicy Marg shouldn't be underestimated in the Commonwealth Cup, while Kind Of Blue, with proven Ascot form, is a compelling contender in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Racing fans seeking value bets should keep a close eye on these longshots.
- Early selections for Royal Ascot 2026
- Lake Forest is our ante-post fancy in the opening Queen Anne Stakes on June 16th
- Cy Fair, Spicy Marg and Kind Of Blue also feature in our ante-post selections
Here are four outsiders who should be watched closely in Group One races at Royal Ascot 2026.
Once the Epsom Derby Festival has been and gone, Royal Ascot will be the talk of the flat racing world. Betting markets have opened for all eight Group One races, and today I've picked out four outsiders who represent good value at their current prices.
Royal Ascot 2026 Ante-Post Tips
16.6.2026 Queen Anne Stakes - Lake Forest
LAKE FOREST (16/1) has always been somewhat of a nearly horse for William Haggas, but on the evidence of his comeback victory at Haydock, there's a good chance that he could challenge the likes of Notable Speech and More Thunder in the opening race of Royal Ascot.
Haggas' star claimed the biggest win of his career on Australian soil in 2024, beating future Royal Ascot winner Lazzat in the Golden Eagle. Lake Forest wasn't beaten all that far when fifth behind Docklands in this contest 12 months ago, and went on to suffer agonising defeats in the Lennox and City Of York Stakes.
Following two under-par efforts in Australia during the autumn, Haggas sent Lake Forest for a gelding operation before Christmas. The snip clearly did the trick, as Cieren Fallon's mount romped to a superb victory in the Spring Trophy Stakes at Haydock in May. The 120 RPR that Lake Forest received for that victory puts him bang in the Queen Anne picture, and Haggas' five-year-old will have no trouble stepping back up to a mile.
16.6.2026 King Charles III Stakes - Cy Fair
The current crop of British sprinters is weak, especially over the minimum trip. Overpass and Joliestar head this betting heat for Australia, but I'd rather side with the American filly, CY FAIR (20/1).
George Weaver's filly went 2-2 against the boys at the end of last season, winning a valuable contest at Woodbine before a hard-fought victory in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at the Breeders' Cup. Having been run down by Slay The Day when attempting to make all on her comeback in the Limestone Stakes, Cy Fair reversed that form under more patient tactics in the Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs, where Irad Ortiz Jnr's mount still looked to have a little left up her sleeve.
Weaver is no stranger to Royal Ascot success, having won the 2023 Queen Mary Stakes with Crimson Advocate. Being a three-year-old filly, Cy Fair will be getting plenty of weight from the older sprinters, and I fancy a straight track will suit her extremely well.
19.6.2026 Commonwealth Cup - Spicy Marg
Venetian Sun now dominates the Commonwealth Cup betting following that superb victory in the Sandy Lane Stakes. Third at Haydock was SPICY MARG (50/1) who, like the winner, was dropping back to six furlongs after running in the 1000 Guineas.
Michael Bell's filly finished ahead of Venetian Sun in that Classic, crossing the line five lengths adrift of True Love in eighth. Oisin Murphy held Spicy Marg right out the back in the Sandy Lane, and when it became clear that Venetian Sun was away and gone, he allowed his mount to coast home in third place.
Barring a poor effort against her elders in the Nunthorpe, Spicy Marg enjoyed an excellent juvenile campaign, beating Revival Power in the Alice Keppel at Glorious Goodwood before an emphatic victory over Azleet in the Bosra Sham at her beloved Newmarket. Fast ground has always been a big plus for Spicy Marg, and this filly shouldn't be underestimated, as she has plenty of experience racing on the big stage.
20.6.26 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes - Kind Of Blue
The raiders dominate the betting for Royal Ascot's second top-tier sprint. However, I feel like KIND OF BLUE (20/1) has been overlooked - considering his record at the track and how well he ran on his seasonal reappearance.
James Fanshawe's five-year-old wasn't beaten far behind Inisherin in the 2024 Commonwealth Cup, and ended that season by claiming Champion Sprinter honours back at Ascot in October. Kind Of Blue suffered a setback and struggled during the first half of last season, before going on to suffer one-length defeats in both the Phoenix Sprint Stakes and the Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Kind Of Blue was out nice and early this season, and ran a cracker behind Elmonjed in the Minstrel Stakes at York. Fanshawe was understandably delighted with that effort, and seemed confident that his stable star would improve for that comeback run. At his best, Kind Of Blue is a proper Group One-quality sprinter, and I'm sure he'll arrive at Ascot in tip-top form.
Verdict
Early Royal Ascot Tips:
Lake Forest
2026 Queen Anne Stakes
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their Bet £10 Get £10 as a free ACCA welcome offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.
Kind Of Blue
2026 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
@20/1 - 5 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Cy Fair
2026 King Charles III Stakes
@20/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Spicy Marg
2026 Commonwealth Cup
@50/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
28 May 2026
- Daily Tips on May 28th -
- Horse Racing
- NAP Of The Day -
- Horse Racing
- Sandown Tips on May 28th -
- Horse Racing
- 2026 Brigadier Gerard Stakes -
- Horse Racing
30 May 2026
- 2026 Lester Piggott Stakes -
- Horse Racing
31 May 2026
- 2026 Prix du Jockey Club -
- Horse Racing
Load More
