The Buckingham Palace Stakes is a handicap run over 7f. It takes place at 18:15 on Thursday 20th June, which is the third day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

22⁽¹³⁾

285807

Summerghand

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: David O'Meara

9-2

113

He could hardly have had a finer career over 6f and he added to the list of big wins when dead-heating at York (good to firm) in August; winless since which leaves him 9lb lower today and he's not entirely ruled out on a rare 7f run, having gone well over C&D earlier in his career when the ground was unsuitably soft; still a stretch to see him winning but it would be nice.

15⁽²⁴⁾

478837

Bopedro

J: Jason Watson

T: David O'Meara

9-5

114

Multiple wins at 7f and 1m and although the latest two have been over 1m, at both Newmarket courses (good to soft and good to firm) in 2023, he is better treated now than when a respectable sixth of 29 in this last year; this still asks for something new for win purposes; visor (off last time) refitted.

NR⁽¹²⁾

062-50

Ropey Guest

T: George Margarson

9-9

100

110

A modest win record needs glossing over but his good runs in the best 7f and 1m handicaps, including when second in this race in 2022, are almost beyond counting and he richly deserved his big prize at York (1m, good to firm) last August; remains 5lb higher though; tenth in the Hunt Cup yesterday.

6⁽¹⁶⁾

10-547

Baradar

J: David Egan

T: George Boughey

9-10

101

110

Has not yet shown his true colours in 2024 but he should be in his comfort zone back on this track, having won a top C&D handicap (good) last July before following up at Doncaster (extended 6f; soft); weighted to go well off just 1lb higher than the latter win and can step up on recent form.

23⁽³⁰⁾

00-505

Fresh

J: Hayley Turner

T: James Fanshawe

9-1

118

Usually one of the first horses to look at in the best 6f and 7f Ascot handicaps over the years, winning two in 2022 and thereabouts numerous times; his form never stabilised in 2023, and he wasn't his old self in three C&D runs, but well treated now and hard to ignore back on this track.

5⁽²³⁾

66-901

Carrytheone

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Michael Bell

9-10

101

113

Two minor efforts on first starts for new yard, slowly away and nearer last than first in the Victoria Cup over C&D in May, but refitting the hood helped at Newmarket (7f, good) since, where he shrugged off some interference to get the verdict in a tight finish; back up 2lb but not out of it.

7⁽²⁹⁾

-54061

Rhoscolyn

J: Jamie Spencer

T: David O'Meara

9-10

101

113

Perfectly capable of taking a hand in this company, having finished third in this race in 2022 (good to firm) and again on the premises over C&D last October (good); however, he's done most of his winning on good to soft or slower and, although in good heart when winning at Epsom (7f, good to soft) recently, he could do with some rain.

2⁽¹⁸⁾

02-572

Northern Express

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

9-12

103

113

Acts on all surfaces; an excellent performer in highly competitive C&D handicaps in the last two years, including when finishing a close third of 29 in this race last June and he was even closer to the winner when fourth the following month; as good as ever when runner-up at York (1m, good) last month but going back up 3lb puts him 6lb higher than last June.

27⁽⁴⁾

-36220

Greatgadian

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

9-1

113

Series of good efforts in defeat at 7f and 1m on AW over the winter but his latest run in March wasn't one of them (in refitted cheekpieces, discarded today); just 1-16 on turf and has much to prove back on grass.

9⁽¹⁾

203-21

Percy's Lad

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

9-8

112

Often leads; suited by Chester and he ended a losing run when back there (extended 7f, good to firm) last month; now 2lb higher than when beaten just over 3l in this race 12 months ago but at least he comes into the race in better form this time; not dismissed.

12⁽⁹⁾

126-10

Mr Professor

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Raphael E Freire

9-7

110

Most turf runs on soft for this yard, doing best when winning the Lincoln (1m) in March; has more to prove following a comprehensive good-ground defeat at Newmarket since and this first 7f run in Britain adds further uncertainty.

24⁽²⁰⁾

5103-0

Maywake

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

9-1

114

All five wins at 7f, on AW and turf, but he couldn't raise his game when well held off just 1lb higher in a similar C&D handicap (good) in October and this again looks a step too far.

10⁽¹⁰⁾

6-5970

Tacarib Bay

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

9-8

112

On the premises in last three Ascot starts, doing well when leading home his group over C&D last July (good); this season hasn't been going well but his mark has dropped and he has the wherewithal to go well in refitted cheekpieces for yard that's won two of the last four runnings.

28⁽¹⁷⁾

5-3061

Sterling Knight

J: Colin Keane

T: Ed Dunlop

9-1

111

Has won on extremes of going and it was good to firm when winning narrowly at Newbury (7f) last week but the 5lb penalty (2lb badly in) is a hammer blow in this much better race; others are much preferred.

19⁽³¹⁾

-95066

Koy Koy

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

9-4

113

Infrequent winner since 2yo success but he wasn't beaten far in the 1m Britannia here in 2022 and he would have have finished closer in his most recent 7f run, behind Carrytheone at Newmarket (good), had he not been hampered; has more to do here but fitting a tongue-tie could help.

17⁽³⁾

090-42

Gorak

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Fellowes

9-5

112

In fine form over 7f on good to firm last summer, out-running his mark in a Group 3 at Haydock and giving a bold show from a hopeless draw in this race; looked to be running into form when involved in a close finish with Carrytheone and Divine Libra at Newmarket (7f, good) last month and has a good run in him off 9lb lower than last June.

16⁽¹¹⁾

36-130

Dark Thirty

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

9-5

112

Made all or most for two 7f wins (both on good) in 2023; better than ever when making a winning return over 6f at Newmarket but he lapsed at Epsom recently when returned to 7f (good to soft); up against it in such a competitive race.

NR⁽²²⁾

33030-

Awaal

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-11

102

113

Useful marker for top handicaps as a 4yo, finishing third of 30 in the Hunt Cup (1m, good) here and filling the same position in the Bunbury Cup (7f, good to soft) the following month; a case can be made but he probably needs to be better than ever to win on reappearance; tongue-tie fitted.

13⁽²⁾

49-601

Finn's Charm

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

9-7

111

Ran well for a long way in the Chesham (7f) here as a 2yo; has won over 1m but he seemed suited by the return to a bare 7f when making all at Goodwood (good) recently; this looks more problematic under a penalty.

20⁽²⁷⁾

647053

The X O

J: Rossa Ryan

T: John Ryan

9-4

112

Close up in a Group 3 over 6f on this course last May but it's mostly been uphill for him at different levels since and a first venture over 7f, when third to Rhoscolyn at Epsom recently, shows that extra reserves will be needed for this race.

14⁽²⁵⁾

2505-4

Alzahir

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-5

109

Well held in Listed Chesham here for the Gosdens as 2yo, later winning over 7f (AW) and 1m (turf at Doha); two respectable runs at about 7f for new yard, hinting at more to come when fourth to Percy's Lad at Chester (good to firm) on reappearance; needs improvement but it may be forthcoming.

26⁽⁵⁾

2410-1

Kings Time

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

9-1

112

From a good family; the step up to 1m on good to yielding didn't work out on his second handicap start in 2023 but he finished powerfully when winning the first of them at Leopardstown (extended 7f) last July and made a good impression when taking a valuable Cork race (7f; also on good) with authority on reappearance in May; can do better yet.

29⁽¹⁴⁾

45-108

Mustajaab

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

9-0

114

Unbeaten in two AW runs but just middling form back on turf the last twice, including in the Victoria Cup over C&D in May, and he does not look well enough handicapped to play a part.

1⁽³²⁾

25-549

Make Me King

J: William Buick

T: Hamad Al Jehani

9-12

103

110

Two wins in France were at 1m on turf (good to soft) and 7f AW; in good form in Dubai either side of Christmas for new yard but a mid-division finish on handicap debut behind Carrytheone at Newmarket (7f, good) in May shows he has work to do off current mark; first-time cheekpieces fitted.

18⁽²⁸⁾

23-913

Divine Libra

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charles Hills

9-4

111

Capable over 6f but has improved for the return to 7f of late, gaining an emphatic win at Chester and involved in a tight finish with two of these rivals at Newmarket (both on good); up a total of 8lb for those runs but there may be more to come from him at the trip.

25⁽⁶⁾

29-235

Sous La Neige

J: Tom Marquand

T: Gavin Hernon

9-1

113

Promising on AW and turf for Andre Fabre and well treated with former stablemate Make Me King if their 7f AW form at Deauville in August is taken literally; has continued in good form for new yard but all turf runs have been on heavy or soft, so he has some surface queries today.

4⁽²¹⁾

475-30

Mostabshir

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-11

102

113

Impressive in two 1m novices and ran well in defeat in Group 1 St James's Palace (1m, good) here last June; useful reappearance on AW (7f) in March but his finishing effort was rather tame in the Victoria Cup over C&D in May; perhaps he just had an off day, in which case he looks one of the more interesting ones with drying ground in his favour.

11⁽²⁶⁾

382-21

English Oak

J: James Doyle

T: Ed Walker

9-8

116

Won 1m novice but has excelled at shorter trips in his most recent handicaps, finding only a well-treated dual Wokingham winner too good over 6f here (good) in October and having too much firepower for five rivals on second run back this year at Haydock (7f, soft) last month; up 9lb in a better race but on the crest of a wave and he holds Group entries in July.

21⁽¹⁹⁾

247224

Billyjoh

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Michael Appleby

9-2

113

Series of good 6f runs since consecutive AW wins earlier in the year and he came whizzing home to take a close fourth of 14 at Haydock (good) this month; has never run beyond that trip though and this is a very difficult race in which to test stamina.

RACING POST TIP

Kings Time

English Oak showed surprising speed to run as well as he did over 6f here in the autumn but 7f looked every inch his trip when powering home at Haydock in May. He looks to have a bright future and is much respected but KINGS TIME took a step forward for a winter break when quickening up quite impressively on his reappearance at Cork and is ready for a step up in class. Northern Express is dependable at this level and is one of many dangers, with Gorak of interest now he's much lower in the weights than when running well from a poor draw in this race last year. Baradar, a C&D winner in July, is a possible reviver, while Mostabshir will be suited by the fast ground and may be best forgiven a disappointment here last time out. In-form contenders Carrytheone, Divine Libra and Percy's Lad are all considered as well, along with Fresh, who is hard to leave out back on this course.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Witch Hunter [24]	4	9-10	50/1	Richard Hannon	Jamie Spencer
2022	Inver Park [2]	4	9-1	12/1	George Boughey	Ben Curtis
2021	Highfield Princess [31]	4	8-11	18/1	John Quinn	Jason Hart
2020	Motakhayyel [26]	4	9-3	14/1	Richard Hannon	Jim Crowley
2014	Louis The Pious [29]	6	9-4	33/1	David O’Meara	Silvestre De Sousa
2013	Lightning Cloud [32]	5	8-13	25/1	Kevin Ryan	Neil Callan
2012	Eton Forever [11]	5	9-8	14/1	Roger Varian	Neil Callan
2011	Manassas [29]	6	9-0	12/1	Brian Meehan	Martin Dwyer
2010	Treadwell [6]	3	8-10	14/1	Jamie Osborne	Fergus Sweeney

Key race stats 2024

Key trends (Removed from the meeting after 2014; Reintroduced in 2020)

At least one top-three finish within last three starts 5/5
Officially rated 92 to 99, 4/5
Carried no more than 9st 4lb, 4/5
Aged four, 4/5
Won in a field with at least 11 runners, 4/5
Distance winner, 3/5

Other factors

All five winners were priced between 12-1 and 50-1.

What happened in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last year?

WITCH HUNTER was right at the back of the field until around 2f out, being produced late in typical Spencer fashion to cause the upset at an SP of 50-1. Croupier had looked the winner when striking on 1f out but was claimed by one with a greater finishing kick. Northern Express ran right to his previous York form with the runner-up, having his chance also here today.

Buckingham Palace Stakes

18:15 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Buckingham Palace Stakes last year?

All Races