The opening day of the July Festival at Newmarket is headlined by the Princess Of Wales's Stakes. This historic Group Two was first held on the July Course in 1894, and a small field of five will contest the 2026 renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Princess Of Wales's Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 Princess Of Wales's Stakes Odds
| Name | SP |
|---|---|
| Rebel's Romance | 11/10 |
| Convergent | 2/1 |
| Almeric | 5/1 |
| Tenability | 7/1 |
| Arabian Crown | 25/1 |
2026 Princess Of Wales's Stakes Runners
Rebel's Romance will be looking to claim his 17th Group level win when he returns to the July Festival on Thursday. Charlie Appleby's stalwart was last seen winning the Dubai City Of Gold out in Meydan, and won well on his only previous start on the July Course in the 2022 Fred Archer Stakes.
Karl Burke was hoping for a big showing from Convergent in the 2026 Coronation Cup, following his impressive reappearance win at Newbury. Sadly, the ground went against Clifford Lee's mount, who trailed home fifth of the six runners, some 66 lengths behind Bay City Roller.
Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding will team up with two-time Listed winner Almeric, who tackles 12 furlongs for the first time. William Haggas' Tenability beat stablemate Hamish on his most recent outing in the Tapster Stakes at Goodwood. Charlie Appleby's second runner, Arabian Crown rounds off a small, select field.
2026 Princess Of Wales's Stakes Tips
Convergent is still a progressive horse to follow over a mile-and-a-half, but I don't think the conditions will suit Karl Burke's star, who was a non-runner on the only other occasion that he was due to race on fast ground. Almeric is another who has done his winning on a softer surface, and Tenability has plenty of catching up to do in terms of form and rating.
In short, I'm finding it hard to look beyond REBEL'S ROMANCE (11/10). Charlie Appleby will be eager for a fast start to the July Festival, having been fairly non-existent during the first half of the season, and this fantastic eight-year-old remains one of his heaviest hitters.
Rebel's Romance is an expert over a mile-and-a-half and loves rattling fast ground. William Buick's mount added two further Group Ones to his incredible haul on International soil last term, having won the Yorkshire Cup and the Hardwicke Stakes earlier in the season.
The market leader has a three-pound penalty to carry for his top-level successes. Yet, he's undoubtedly the horse in the field who is best suited by the conditions, he's the only course winner in the quintet and his record when fresh is very, very good.
Live Stream
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