Five longshots of interest at Royal Ascot 2026

Thanks to the sheer size and competitiveness of the fields at Royal Ascot, it’s a sure thing that some longshots will jump up over the course of the five-day stand.

The notoriously challenging handicaps are a natural spot to go value hunting, and our colleague Alastair Bull will guide you through a big handicap each day. The juvenile races, with a gaggle of barely-raced contenders all developing at various rates, likewise are a potential treasure trove. 

But the Group races for established performers can deliver overpriced heroes too, and the possible fields are a bit more manageable in advance.

As we begin the week, here are my five longshots of interest.

Tuesday: Cover Up in the King Charles III (G1)

There’s a sea of sensible longshots who can factor in this chaotic five-furlong dash, and I’ll include a couple more in my Tuesday selections. But the most egregious outlier in the odds is Cover Up, who is as high as 66-1 at this writing. 

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, the six-year-old was in career form at this trip during the Dubai Carnival, and he wasn’t disgraced against a big international field trying to go farther in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1). Cover Up was a handicap winner over this course and distance last summer, and the son of Exceed and Excel might be ready to resume his progress back in Europe. Note that he also gets a plum jockey booking in James McDonald. 

Wednesday: Snellen in the Duke of Cambridge (G2)

Several logical players are overpriced in this mile test for fillies and mares – watch for the selections piece for the final decision-making – but I’ll name Snellen as possibly the biggest value (as high as 16-1).

Twice the Gavin Cromwell mare has graced the Royal meeting, and both times, she’s outperformed her odds. Snellen sprang a 12-1 surprise in the 2023 Chesham S. as a juvenile, and last year, she was runner-up as a 25-1 shot in the Sandringham H. 

Snellen has mixed it up with males as well, notably earning a tough verdict over the highly-regarded Purview in last summer’s Meld (G3) at Leopardstown. She’s been set for this target with a pleasing tune-up, and she should get her ground. 

Thursday: Carmers in the Gold Cup (G1)

Carmers captured the 2025 Queen’s Vase (G2) in his only prior appearance over the course, beating Scandinavia as well as Rahiebb. So why is Carmers 20-1 in their rematch in the Gold Cup (G1)? 

The obvious reason is that a much-improved Scandinavia has since beaten Carmers twice. But Carmers did not put his best foot forward in either of those losses, and trainer Paddy Twomey now has him back on the right track. Carmers just won his prep after replacing his blinkers with a visor, presaging another bold show at Ascot. Like Scandinavia and Rahiebb, he is venturing into terra incognita at 2 1/2 miles, but Carmers is at least as well equipped in the stamina department. 

Friday: Outfielder in the Commonwealth Cup (G1)

The filly Venetian Sun is all the rage in the Commonwealth Cup (G1). Wesley Ward’s Outfielder was only 2 3/4 lengths behind her when fourth in last year’s Prix Morny (G1) as a juvenile. There’s reason to believe that he’s better now at three, and he’s a 20-1 shot here. 

Unlike last summer, when Outfielder was playing catch-up after a setback, he has built up to his Royal Ascot venture with a pair of prep wins. His stakes-record blitz in the William Walker S., back on the turf at Churchill Downs, was a particularly encouraging sign. 

Bred on the noted cross of Speightstown over a Medaglia d’Oro mare, Outfielder always promised to be more than just a flashy two-year-old. If he could run such a respectable race in the Morny, at that stage of his career, the combination of physical maturity and race-fitness can put him in the ballpark here. It wouldn’t be a shock if he hits one out of the park. 

Saturday: Comanche Brave in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1)

While Joliestar, Satono Reve, and Lugal have all chased world sprint kingpin Ka Ying Rising, so has the somewhat under-the-radar Comanche Brave. The Donnacha O’Brien trainee has upside as a four-year-old who is just beginning to come into his own in this division. Currently about 12-1 in the British market, he’s liable to remain a better price than the Australian and Japanese runners in the World Pool. 

Comanche Brave had been a solid placegetter over slightly further, but his international travel early this season has apparently been the making of him. A close third on the cutback in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) on Saudi Cup Day, he was beaten a grand total of a length by Reef Runner and Lazzat, hero of the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee (G1). 

Shortening up again to about six furlongs for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (G1) in Hong Kong, Comanche Brave wound up a non-threatening fifth behind Ka Ying Rising. But he was a different animal upon returning home. Comanche Brave immediately broke through with his first stakes victory in the Greenlands (G2) at the Curragh, ratifying that six furlongs was his trip.