2026 Queen Anne Stakes Preview

Notable Speech currently 7/4-The Lockinge winner, enters as a major force for Godolphin who have not won this race since Ribchester won it back in 2017. Notable Speech currently is clear market favourite after the Lockinge win which contained 4 of the rivals he faces once again. 

 Opera Ballo currently 4/1 –Another formidable entry for Godolphin, he impressed in the bet365 Mile at Sandown at the end of April making all and beating today’s rivals Zeus Olympios, Cicero’s Gift and 2025 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Field of Gold.

More Thunder currently 7/2: Finished second to Notable Speech in the Lockinge. He stayed on that day but gave himself a bit too much to do, having started his effort a few lengths behind the winner and never looked like he was going to get in front. Currently 2nd favourite and trying the trip for the 2nd time he started his career as a 3 year old with the Michael Stoute yard and was raced over 10 furlongs before switching to the Haggas yard last year. He was then raced over 6 and 7 furlongs aquitting himself well and finished the season winning the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes over 7 furlongs. He has primarily a sprint pedigree in his dna and I have concerns about whether he gets the trip in Group 1 company despite the Lockinge result.

Cicero’s Gift currently 50/1: A surprise 100/1 winner at Ascot in last years Queen Elizabeth II stakes but has largely struggled in Group company. Has a good record with jockey Jason Watson on board but has finished behind both Notable Speech and Opera Ballo this year and it’s hard to make a case for him overturning these formlines.

 Docklands currently 6/1: Won this race last year and, in my opinion, holds solid claims to repeat a feat of back to back wins in this race which has happened for over 100 years. He has raced 8 times over course and distance and finished in the top two on 6 occasions. Looked in absolute top physical condition when finishing a close 3rd in Group 1 company in Hong Kong in April. On that run alone, he recorded a time that would put clear daylight between himself and the rest this line-up, based on what his rivals have achieved so far. If he is able to replicate the Hong Kong performance I think he will be hard to oppose.

Ten Bob Tony currently 50/1: Returns after a win in Group 3 company at Epsom over 7 furlongs but is really hard to make a case for up against this level of proven milers having had only one race at the trip.

First Conquest currently 50/1: Runs in the third string colours for Godolphin and has the services of Ryan Moore however, I cannot see him being involved in this other than for tactical purposes. Based on previous runs would need to improve substantially and the fact that stable principle jockey has chosen Notable Speech is enough evidence alone for me to discount the chances of First Conquest.

Summary:

There are few front runners in this line-up which suggests to me OPERA BALLO may get an easy lead and if Billy Loughnane can get the fractions right, he may get a lead that could be insurmountable. OPERA BALLO is a very physical type who looks like he will love to stretch his legs on the galloping friendly Ascot course. His stable companion NOTABLE SPEECH is a bit slighter in build and a bit too short in price for me. Although NOTABLE SPEECH has a devastating turn of foot, I’m not sure the Lockinge form will hold up in this race. There was a moment in that race when NOTABLE SPEECH went from side to side when trying to decide where to go for the gaps and looked a bit unbalanced. I also think the pace of the front runners in the Lockinge collapsed drastically and made the winning margin look better. I can’t see either CICERO’S GIFT or ZEUS OLYMPIOS being able to change tactics and beat either of the Godolphin principles and I have doubts that MORE THUNDER can win in this level of company at the trip. DOCKLANDS looked to be in great nick last time out in Hong Kong and at now at a course he loves, I think perhaps is a stronger horse in the finish than NOTABLE SPEECH so beats both the Godolphin favourite and MORE THUNDER. So I’m going for two in the curtain raiser:

OPERA BALLO to win @ 4/1

DOCKLANDS each way @ 6/1

Very best of luck

NMW Racing