Royal Ascot 2026: Day Four Features Hot Weather and Favorites

The Lead: Royal Ascot's Hot Fourth Day

Day four of Royal Ascot 2026 is set to be a scorcher, with peak temperatures of up to 28C forecast for this afternoon. The weather has prompted recommendations for sunscreen, shades, and hydration breaks between races. This day presents an opportunity for punters to capitalize on the trend established in the first three days, where heavily-backed favorites have dominated the feature events.

The Event Details: Race Favorites and Form

The pattern of favorites winning continued on Wednesday with Scandinavia (11-8) taking the Gold Cup, following victories of Bow Echo (5-6) and Ombudsman (11-10) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today's card features three short-priced favorites in the first four races that multiply out to an 8-1 treble.

Punters will look to Aidan O'Brien's Sun Goddess (5-4) to get them off to a strong start in the Albany Stakes at 2:30, followed by Venetian Sun (6-4) in the Commonwealth Cup at 3:05, and Precise (4-6) in the Coronation Stakes.

The Track Conditions: Going Analysis

The going at Ascot remains good-to-firm after another 5mm of water was applied overnight. An interesting development from the GoingStick readings shows an increasing disparity between the two sides of the track on the straight course. The latest reading on the stands' side is 8.3, while the far side is 8.9. Given that the stands' rail has already held sway on the first three days, it's likely that most or all of the runners will come down the near rail this afternoon, with the 25-runner Albany Stakes expected to provide early confirmation of this trend.

The Betting Landscape: Punters' Strategy

With three short-priced favorites in the early races, punters are looking to build on the momentum established earlier in the week. The combination of Sun Goddess, Venetian Sun, and Precise offers an 8-1 treble opportunity for those backing the favorites. The consistent performance of heavily-backed horses throughout the meeting has created a pattern that savvy bettors will look to exploit on day four.

What to Watch: Key Races of the Day

The seven races on today's card offer several compelling matchups beyond the three favorites. The Albany Stakes kicks off the action with 25 runners, providing early insight into the track conditions. The Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes feature the aforementioned favorites, while the later races promise additional opportunities for punters and enthusiasts. Picks for all seven races are available for those looking to enhance their Royal Ascot experience.