Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Tips 2026: 66/1 Veteran To Cause Another Ascot Upset

In what is often referred to as the lowest quality day of Royal Ascot, Saturday's action is headlined by the QEII Jubilee Stakes, a straight sprint over six furlongs. Australia once again have a strong hand, but Billy Grimshaw is drawn to one with proven form at an insultingly big price...

Joliestar may well be a class apart in here, with her form looking a level above that of Overpass who I fancied for the King Charles III and is actually backing up here after his solid but ultimately disappointing for his backers third place. I cannot see him getting involved here, truth be told, on the evidence of what we saw on Tuesday as he looked a very fizzy sort who was struggling with the finish over five furlongs after leading for most of the race. An extra furlong looked the last thing he needs and unless he switches tactics 180 degrees, I can see him fading away. The favourite, on the other hand, is a confirmed stayer and has bags of speed. The mare is a perfect three from three so far this campaign, including two Group 1s at Randwick that on paper look stronger than this.

Of course, the travel is an unknown and she could simply not enjoy the style of racing or the track, but the ground is in her favour and she does appear to be better than our average bunch of sprinters. That average description is highlighted by the fact Overpass is third favourite and sandwiched between the two Aussies is a Japanese raider. Santono Reve may well be very good indeed, as last time out the only horse ahead of him was the phenomenon that is Ka Ying Rising, the greatest sprinter certainly of his generation and maybe of all time. A repeat of that run will surely see him in the shake-up and he has Ryan Moore in the plate this season in his attempt to go a place better than the second he managed here in 2025.

He has the proven form when travelling which is a bonus and if I was forced to back either of the market leaders it'd certainly be him at the odds. Joao Moreira has actually got a better record on the horse than Moore, but there is no debate over who rides Ascot better and with Moore on his back last season, I fancy he'd have won this. I have very little stones to throw at him and if you are debating backing him, I've got nothing to put you off.

A high draw is thought to be advantageous at Ascot, and if Friday morning's going stick readings are correct it could be game over for those drawn low, but if that is the case I am sure the ground staff will attempt to even things up come Saturday. Low numbers actually have the better record in this race over the last decade, which surprised me, and as such I am happy to say one of the chief threats from the home team is drawn in stall one; Lake Forest.

He took his form to another level with a five length success at Haydock last time out, making no mistakes with a draw on the wing which must be a positive for his chances given his draw here. If he repeats that performance I can't see him out of the frame, truth be told, but the worry with him is consistency. The best of the Irish looks to be Donnacha O'Brien's Commanche Brave, who ran well for second in the Jersey last season and will almost certainly be played late and asked to use his devastating turn of foot. He was much the best in a straightforward win at the Curragh last time out in a Group 2 and is undoubtedly up to this level, for all the big international duo may have his number.

There is one price, however, that I could not believe when scrolling further and further down the odds grids. What business does dual winner of this race KHAADEM have being priced at 66/1!? He missed the race last season and only returned from 10 months off in July, running pretty averagely at Newbury and Goodwood. That doesn't bother me in the slightest, however, as when he won this race in both 2023 and 2024 his form elsewhere was no great shakes. This is a proper Ascot specialist of a horse, and he is a this specific race specialist at that! His draw in the centre is ideal for a stalking type and there is no chance we should be able to get over 12/1 on him hitting the frame.

Last time out he was comfortably held in the Temple Stakes at Haydock, but he ran like a drain on his final start before winning this in 2024 so that doesn't concern me. Sprinters are often renowned to get faster with age, so while his recent record is nothing to write home about and he is a veteran now, his price is the standout odds quote of the whole meeting.