Wokingham Stakes

Heritage Handicap, Ascot 17:00 £175,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 2

Tweet Saturday 20th June 2026

This remains one of the most fiercely competitive handicaps of the Royal Ascot meeting, and the 2026 renewal looks set to uphold that reputation with a deep field of high-class sprinters preparing for the cavalry charge down Ascot’s straight six furlongs.

Double Rush wins the Betfred Handicap under a brilliant ride from Shane Foley 🚀#ITVRacing | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/NJVr7gGINH

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 2, 2026

At the head of the ante-post market is Double Rush, whose progressive profile has attracted sustained support through the spring. His ability to travel strongly in big-field handicaps and quicken late marks him down as a natural contender for a race that so often rewards patience and timing.

Binhareer and Addison Grey both bring progressive profiles into the race, each having shown enough to suggest they are capable of taking another step forward in a contest where improvement is often as important as established form.

Realign enhanced his claims for a crack at this with a determined victory in the Betway Reverence Handicap at Carlisle on May 30, overcoming a less-than-ideal passage to justify favouritism.

The William Haggas-trained four-year-old was making his first appearance since finishing down the field in the Victoria Cup at Ascot and showed both his ability and temperament remain works in progress as he battled to success over five and a half furlongs.

Despite racing keenly through the early stages and taking a strong hold of James Doyle, the son of Blue Point still found enough in reserve to settle matters late on, advertising his credentials for one of Royal Ascot’s most competitive handicaps.

Connections believe a stronger pace and bigger field could suit him even better, making the Wokingham an obvious target if he can secure a place in the line-up.

Maureen Haggas said: “He did well because he took James on a little bit early on. He’s a big, strong bull of a horse and he maybe overdid it.

“This is a stiff track but he stayed really well and a stronger pace would suit him better.

“Hopefully he’ll get into the Wokingham.”

The manner of the performance suggested there is still more to come. Having expended energy fighting for his head early, Realign nevertheless found enough to see out the race strongly, a trait that could prove invaluable in the fiercely-run six-furlong handicap at Ascot.

The Wokingham regularly rewards horses capable of travelling strongly through a relentless gallop before producing a finishing effort late in the day, and connections are hopeful that scenario would play directly to Realign’s strengths.

Whether he gains a place in the final field remains to be seen, but his Carlisle success has firmly put him in the Royal Ascot picture and marked him down as a horse capable of making his presence felt should he line up in Berkshire.

For now, the focus is on securing a berth in the race, with Realign having done his part on the track to suggest he deserves a shot at one of the meeting’s most prestigious sprint handicaps.

Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
£175,000 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 6f, Class 2
28 runners
Going: Good to Firm

running order

Past results

2025 Get It 28/1

Trainer: George Baker Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Owner: MyRacehorse & Partners Age/Wgt: 7 / 9-03

2024 Unequal Love 12/1

Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Owner: Cheveley Park Stud Age/Wgt: 4 / 9-07

2023 Saint Lawrence 22/1

Trainer: Archie Watson Jockey: Hollie Doyle Owner: D J Deer Age/Wgt: 5 / 9-02

2022 Rohaan 18/1

Trainer: David Evans Jockey: Ryan Moore Owner: Chris Kiely Racing Ltd & James Tomkins Age/Wgt: 4 / 9-12

2021 Rohaan 8/1

Trainer: David Evans Jockey: Shane Kelly Owner: Chris Kiely Racing Ltd & J Tomkins Age/Wgt: 3 / 9-08

2020 Hey Jonesy 18/1

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Kevin Stott Owner: Pallister Racing Age/Wgt: 5 / 9-03

2019 Cape Byron 7/2F

Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Owner: Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Age/Wgt: 5 / 9-09

2018 Bacchus 33/1

Trainer: Brian Meehan Jockey: Jim Crowley Owner: G Morland, D Erwin, J Woodman Age/Wgt: 4 / 9-06

2017 Out Do 25/1

Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Owner: Evan Sutherland Age/Wgt: 8 / 8-13 2nd: Steady Pace 3rd: Projection 4th: Polybius Ran: 27 Time: 1m 13.02s Dist: ½, nk, nk

2016 Outback Traveller 10/1

Trainer: Robert Cowell Jockey: Martin Harley Owner: Lordship Stud & Mrs J Morley Age/Wgt: 5 / 9-01 2nd: Brando 3rd: Glen Moss 4th: Absolutely So Ran: 28 Time: 1m 14.05s Dist: nk, 1½, ¾