Hi Reader

The Balmoral Handicap is a major Class 2 flat horse race held annually over the straight mile course at Ascot Racecourse. Serving as the competitive, wide-open finale to the prestigious British Champions Day meeting.

2026 Race Overview & Key Details

• The Ground: The going is currently reported as Good (Good to Firm in places).
• The Field: A maximum field of 20 runners has been declared to post from a highly competitive lineup.
• Market Leaders: The John & Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old Gavriel and William Haggas’s four-year-old Scoville are the joint market leaders at odds of around 9/2. Gavriel sneaked into the weights at the bottom (9st 0lb) following a close fourth-place finish in the Cambridgeshire Handicap.
• Non-Runner Update: The 2025 winner, Crown Of Oaks, was heavily tipped to bid for a repeat victory but has unfortunately been officially declared a non-runner.

Let's get into today's preview and tips.

Balmoral Handicap 2026: Excellent Believe the Champions Day Value Bet

A field of twenty runners line up for the Balmoral Handicap over the straight mile at Ascot.

Excellent Believe lacked the tactical speed to take the gaps when beaten just over two lengths in the Sovereign Path Handicap, his first start for Stephen Thorne after dropping to seven furlongs. He again met trouble over that trip at the Curragh three weeks ago but finished strongly. He looks ready for a return to a mile and has a chance to win a valuable prize in the Balmoral Handicap.

Colin Keane, who rode him at the Curragh, retains the ride. Excellent Believe ran well in Pattern races for Jack Channon. His best form was a two-length second to Zeus Olympios, who now competes at Group 1 level. He looks well handicapped off a mark of 100, and I expect him to run well.

Ebt’s Guard is among the most consistent heritage handicappers, regularly running well and finishing in the places in major mile handicaps. He finished a neck behind Crown of Oaks in this race last year and returns off the same mark of 102, carrying 9-4 again.

Scoville beat him convincingly at Doncaster last month, but a four-pound rise for that rival, while Ebt’s Guard’s mark remains unchanged, should help our selection. With little pace in the race, Lewis Edmunds will need to keep Ebt’s Guard on or close to the lead.

Scoville & Gavriel are strong contenders however offer little to no value at current prices.

Ascot 4:35

0.5 point each way Excellent Believe 12/1 Bet365 else 11/1 generally, 5 places.

0.5 point each way Ebt’s Guard 9/1 Paddy Power & Skybet, 5 places.

Best of Luck, Nicky

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