Prince Of Wales's Stakes Tips 2026: Wednesday Royal Ascot Feature Race Preview And Best Bet

In one of the races of the week, the headline clash is Daryz vs Ombudsman, but there is a stellar supporting cast who will play more than a backseat role in this epic race. Billy Grimshaw is salivating at the prospect of one of the best ever renewals of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and previews the contest here, with his recommended bet included...

The Arc 1-2 renewing hostilities would usually be the headline attraction of any race, however there are a couple of superstars further up the market than DARYZ and Minnie Hauk in this race. Ombudsman is favourite and although he only won on reappearance by a neck, that does not tell the full story. He won the Brigadier Gerard in a canter, with William Buick never looking worried on his back and the impression given in the aftermath by connections was very much "job done, onto Ascot"!

He has a glittering CV and his last run here on Champions Day he only found the mighty Calandagan (ignore his Coronation Cup flop, he is the best middle distance horse in the world) too good while he kicked off his rapid ascension when bolting up in this very race last year, at a scarcely believable SP of 7/1. This year's race looks much more hotly contested, however he deserves to head the market on balance and one suspects if you back a horse that finishes ahead of Ombudsman, you'll have backed the winner.

Almaqam was behind Ombudsman on Champions Day but looks a better horse this campaign for Ed Walker and is not ruled out, with his National Stakes win at the Curragh last time out very impressive indeed and a marker he firmly put down. That form has of course been franked by Bay City Roller coming out to bolt up in the Coronation Cup and although that may not be the strongest bit of form given the ground, Almaqam is undoubtedly operating at the top of his game this season and should be in the mix, however he did flop at last year's Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace so course and Festival form could be a stone to throw at him - albeit that was over a very different trip and a much more immature horse.

Minnie Hauk could be well supported should Ballydoyle get off to a hot start on Tuesday, although she does have to bounce back from an inexplicably poor run in the National Stakes last time out. Aidan O'Brien of course is not a trainer to doubt, but with that poor run and the feeling that she wants further, I am happy to put a line through her for punting purposes, unless Ryan Moore can get an easy lead and nick the race.

Sea The Fire was a good third in this race last season and it shows the step up in quality this year's field brings that she is widely available to back at 18/1. Andrew Balding's mare could be the one who forces the pace in here, or the sole Gosden representative Devil's Advocate - who looks outclassed -  but whichever horse gets the lead, I am hoping they make it a true test and we don't see a messy renewal with questions left unanswered. We want the best against the best at this meeting with no excuses and providing we get that, I am hanging my hat on Daryz putting in a performance worthy of such a race to claim glory.

He has done nothing wrong since his epic Arc win, victorious twice in France in what looked ordinary enough races. There is something about Daryz that screams star quality to me - hardly a novel concept when discussing an Arc winner - and his finishing speed is what I believe can see him come home in front here. His two wins this season have both seen him take a step back in trip and in both races he has shown a flash of speed more akin to a sprinter, with scribes smarter than me waxing lyrical about his sectional performances.

Ascot is a closer's track and possessing that phenomenal turn of foot is what could set Daryz apart in this race packed full of genuine Group 1 animals. His flop at York last season could be used against him by doubters as they profess he does not travel, however the Knavesmire is a marmite track for horses for some reason and it was clear he wasn't enjoying it from minute one there, so it can be struck through. He was also very inexperienced then, whereas now is in the prime of his life. He is the most exciting European flat horse around right now and on Wednesday, I think he'll prove why.