The Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap was a new addition to the slate from 2021. It takes place at 17:35 on Wednesday 18th June, which is the second day of Royal Ascot 2025. 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

12⁽²⁾

06-741

Independent Expert

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

9-1

110

Cemented her positive start for this yard when drawing clear inside the final furlong under Jack Kearney at Naas (1m, good) last month; this is a much stronger race but she could have even more to offer for this stable.

5⁽⁴⁾

8579-3

Julia Augusta

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-5

112

Largely found it tough at Listed/Group level on joining David O'Meara last summer but made a promising return to action with her sights lowered when keeping on for third in 8.5f Epsom handicap (good to soft) on Oaks day; should be competitive from an unchanged mark.

9⁽¹⁸⁾

554-53

Rose Prick

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

9-2

111

Better for her AW reappearance when a creditable third to Ambiente Amigo in 1m2f Nottingham Listed race (good to firm) seven weeks ago; should be just as effective back at 1m.

8⁽⁷⁾

9644-2

Kayhana

J: David Egan

T: Gavin Cromwell

9-3

108

Debut at Limerick remains her only success but she has run some big races in defeat, including going close in 9.5f Gowran Park handicap (good) on her recent stable/seasonal debut; not discounted.

19⁽¹⁹⁾

30-420

Bint Al Daar

J: Ray Dawson

T: Kevin Philippart De Foy

8-6

113

Two wins (1m2f/9.5f) last summer; creditable in-frame efforts in handicaps at about 1m at Southwell (AW) and Nottingham (good to firm) in April but comfortably held in a deeper race at the York Dante meeting since.

23⁽²²⁾

52-631

Unassuming

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

8-3

113

Two AW wins over this trip last September and made her first turf start for George Boughey a winning one when showing a good attitude to shade a tight finish over 1m at Yarmouth (good) last Wednesday; incurs 5lb penalty but Jack Callan takes 7lb off.

22⁽¹⁴⁾

-11233

Shallow

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Richard Spencer

8-3

114

Has a good record on AW but almost exclusively over 6f (she was not strong at the finish when third on sole 7f start, in April) and stamina is a huge concern now stepping up to 1m for this rather belated turf debut.

14⁽¹⁰⁾

46-300

Kindest Nation

J: Harry Davies

T: Hugo Palmer

8-10

108

Creditable third over the extended 7f on her Chester reappearance in May but well held in two outings at about 1m since; yet to encounter ground firmer than good; it's hard to make a good case for her.

24⁽²¹⁾

432051

Viennoise

J: Warren Fentiman

T: David O'Meara

8-2

111

Struck at the sixth time of asking for David O'Meara when swooping late at Doncaster (1m, good) 12 days ago; this is a significantly stronger race than that 0-78 and she's back up 5lb, but 5lb claimer Warren Fentiman is recruited.

2⁽²⁰⁾

1-5464

Snellen

J: Gary Carroll

T: Gavin Cromwell

9-8

100

107

Won the Chesham at 2023 Royal Ascot; added three more wins in 2024, including a Bahrain handicap over 1m2f in December; remained in decent form there at the start of 2025 but it's tough to argue she looks well treated from a triple-figure mark; sold for £200,000 on Monday.

NR⁽⁸⁾

4622-0

Queen Of Atlantis

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

8-5

110

Ended 2024 campaign with good seconds over C&D on good and soft ground; runner-up in her only attempt on good to firm; never involved in AW Listed race on reappearance but has a better chance back in a handicap

10⁽¹³⁾

35-518

Miss Information

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-1

112

Returned to winning ways at Newmarket (good) last month but disappointing when favourite at Epsom (7f again) since and weakened on her previous attempt at 1m.

6⁽³⁾

6-2144

Ambiente Amigo

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: James Owen

9-5

111

Her form has improved a notch this season, building on reappearance second in a warm handicap at Kempton (1m3f, AW) with a half-length win in Listed race at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm; Rose Prick third); not in quite the same form when fourth in York Group 2 and Haydock Listed race over 1m2f since; has not raced over 1m since her juvenile days.

13⁽¹⁶⁾

5-9514

Ciara Pearl

J: Jim Crowley

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

8-12

112

Career-best form when making all at Nottingham (1m2f, good to firm) last month and creditable fourth of nine over the same trip at Chelmsford (AW) 17 days ago; only midfield in this race last year, though, and can be opposed back down in trip; wears first-time cheekpieces.

7⁽¹¹⁾

844-45

Francophone

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Johnston

9-5

113

Won a Listed race over 1m2f at Goodwood (good) last year but hasn't seen it out in two similar events over the same trip this season, so this drop back to 1m may help; also equipped with first-time cheekpieces and has Christophe Soumillon taking over in the saddle; no shock were she to go well from a fair mark based on her peak form.

21⁽²³⁾

726-01

Cheshire Dancer

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

8-5

112

All the better for reappearance when posting a career-best RPR to win 1m Leicester handicap (good to firm) 23 days ago; 4lb higher in a much deeper race now.

4⁽⁵⁾

65-552

Arisaig

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Charlie Johnston

9-5

114

Scored against her own sex at Glorious Goodwood (1m, good to firm) under Jamie Spencer last summer and bettered that form when second to the reopposing Rainbows Edge in a C&D handicap (good to firm) last month; one to consider.

17⁽²⁴⁾

813-32

Serialise

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

8-7

111

Two wins last year and returned with a pair of good placed efforts last month, second of 18 at the Curragh (1m, good) latest; enjoyed the run of that race from the front that day but still respected for a yard which tasted success in this in 2023.

16⁽⁶⁾

212-72

Rockymountainway

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Fellowes

8-8

112

Won a pair of handicaps at about 7f on good to soft/soft last summer; all the sharper for her reappearance when second in 7f Kempton handicap five weeks ago; the step up to 1m and likely fast ground ask different questions but the stable is no stranger to handicap success over C&D at this meeting.

11⁽¹²⁾

12-147

Muddy Mooy

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Paul Attwater

9-1

107

Maiden/novice winner who improved again when fourth of ten in 1m Kempton Listed race (AW) in March; not in the same form when seventh of nine in a Listed event Goodwood (turf debut) since; not obviously well treated for this handicap debut.

1⁽¹⁷⁾

112-1

Rainbows Edge

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-12

104

114

Fast improver who posted a smart handicap performance when seeing off the reopposing Arisaig (pair clear) in a fast-ground C&D handicap on reappearance 39 days ago, taking her career record to 3-4; almost certainly capable of better still and this Royal runner looks sure to make a bold bid to defy her big weight.

15⁽¹⁵⁾

31-6

Thelma's Angel

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Gemma Tutty

8-10

108

Won a 6f Ayr maiden last spring; pitched in at the deep end in 7f Musselburgh Listed race 13 months later and fared quite well in sixth, albeit never threatening; has unexposed potential now moving into a handicap, though her pedigree doesn't shout that 1m will suit.

18⁽¹⁾

101-12

Sky Safari

J: Saffie Osborne

T: James Fanshawe

8-6

113

Won three of her first four starts and advanced her RPR a little again when second in 1m Salisbury handicap (good to firm) 25 days ago; travels like one who could be suited by this big-field scenario and her trainer is adept at targeting this meeting; reasons to be positive about her prospects.

3⁽⁹⁾

1186-2

Arolla

J: Colin Keane

T: Harry Charlton

9-8

100

111

Just the fifth start of her career when an improved 1l second in 7f Musselburgh Listed race (good) on seasonal return 11 days ago; if anything, the return to 1m should suit even better and she's a must for the shortlist.

RACING POST TIP

Rainbows Edge

A mark of 104 demands a very smart performance but the way RAINBOWS EDGE saw off Arisaig (who should also go well again) on her C&D reappearance suggests she might be capable of it. Like the selection, Sky Safari has a progressive profile and her strong-travelling style should lend itself to this sort of race so she's second choice. Another low-mileage sort who appeals is Arolla, who made an encouraging reappearance in a 7f Musselburgh Listed race recently and promises to be at least as effective back at 1m. One who could go well at likely bigger odds is Arisaig's stablemate Francophone.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Doha [21]	4	8-11	10/1	Ralph Beckett	Hector Crouch
2023	Villanova Queen [8]	4	9-10	25/1	Mrs John Harrington	Colin Keane
2022	Rising Star [17]	4	9-1	40/1	Marco Botti	Neil Callan
2021	Lola Showgirl [10]	4	8-2	12/1	David Loughnane	Laura Pearson (5)

What happened in the Kensington Palace Stakes last year?

This fillies’ handicap went to the Ralph Beckett-trained DOHA. The Al Shaqab Racing-owned four-year-old was very much unexposed going into just her second start in a handicap, having won a Windsor maiden by nine lengths on her third outing and finished second on her handicap debut at Haydock over 1m2f on her first start of this campaign. Doha, the mount of Hector Crouch, relished the drop back to a mile and travelled strongly through the contest. She went clear with the 13-2 favourite Hopeful in the closing stages and prevailed by a head at odds of 10-1.

Kensington Palace Stakes

17:35 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

What happened in the Kensington Palace Stakes last year?

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