Ante-post Racing Betting Tips for Royal Ascot 2026

With Royal Ascot only a little over a month away, now is the perfect time to check out the ante-post markets for the five-day spectacular and Racing Post tipster Marcus Buckland has provided three early recommendations for the eagerly-awaited meeting.

Ante-post Horse Racing Betting Tips for Royal Ascot

14:30 Royal Ascot - June 16th (Queen Anne Stakes) - Lake Forest @ 16/1
16:15 Royal Ascot - June 18th (Gold Cup) - Scandinavia @ 2/1
16:20 Royal Ascot - June 19th (Coronation Stakes) - So Regal @ 14/1

14:30 Royal Ascot - June 16th (Queen Anne Stakes) - Lake Forest @ 16/1

The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest created a big impression when striding clear to win the Listed Spring Trophy on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock last weekend, suggesting he’s better than ever.

The five-year-old finished a never-nearer fifth behind Docklands in this event last year and ran several other good races in defeat afterwards, including when runner-up in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and when beaten just half-a-length by Never So Brave in the Group 1 City Of York Stakes.

He wasn’t anywhere near that level in two runs in Australia at the end of the year, but he’s since been gelded and the procedure looks to have done wonders, the chestnut sprinting clear inside the final furlong at Haydock and recording a career high Racing Post Rating of 120 in the process.  

16:15 Royal Ascot - June 18th (Gold Cup) - Scandinavia @ 2/1

It’s rare that there’s a shock in the Ascot Gold Cup, indeed, it’s been a productive race for favourites in recent years, including seven of the last 10 winners.

Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia deservedly heads the market this time around and I can only see him shortening in price, given the fine form of his yard and his trainer’s outstanding record of nine previous winners in the race.

The four-year-old has excelled since being stepped up to staying trips, reeling off a hat-trick last season, including victories in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup.

He ran within a pound of his very best form when scoring on his return in Listed company at Navan last month and was notably strong at the finish, suggesting this marathon distance of 2m4f will be right up his street. 

16:20 Royal Ascot - June 19th (Coronation Stakes) - So Regal @ 14/1

Aidan O’Brien dominates the ante-post market for this with True Love, Diamond Necklace and Precise.

It’s clearly going to take a good one to upset that trio, but I’m confident there’s a lot more improvement to come from John and Thady Gosden’s So Regal, who has won her two turf starts this year and hails from a stable that has won this race three times since 2006 (Nannina, Fallen For You and Inspiral).

The daughter of Kingman is currently rated just 97, but she ran to a Racing Post Rating of 99 when coming from the rear to score over this course-and-distance under Ryan Moore at the start of this month.

She hit the line strongly and with plenty seemingly left to give, so may well be able to make the step up in grade. 

Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.

Tipster’s Recent Winners

Marcus Buckland has been in fine form in recent weeks, hitting the target with 7/2 Double Rush, 14/1 Morshdi (advised at 11/2), Faster Bee at 5/2, Sonic Pioneer (9/1), No Drama This End (8/11) and King Rasko Bay at 8/13.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.