By Tom Frary
Australia's big hope for Royal Ascot 2026, Joliestar (Zoustar), has been drawn in the middle for Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as 19 sprinters were confirmed on Thursday morning.
James McDonald's mount will exit from stall nine in the six-furlong feature, with last year's runner-up Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) towards the stands' side in 18 under Ryan Moore.
Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's recently-gelded 2024 Golden Eagle winner Lake Forest (No Nay Never) retains regular rider Cieren Fallon in stall one on the far wing, while Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes third Overpass (Vancouver) is in stall seven. Others of note in a deep renewal include the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett), Sajir (Make Believe) from the Andre Fabre stable and last year's British Champions Sprint hero Powerful Glory (Cotai Glory).
The card also sees the last of the four Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Races, with the G2 Norfolk Stakes attracting a field of 21 including a trio of fillies from the Wesley Ward contingent headed by Ez Tina (Golden Pal). Ballydoyle's Marble Hill runner-up Carry The Flag (No Nay Never) is the likely favourite.
In the card's other Group 2, Juddmonte's Kalpana (Study Of Man) heads a cast of 12 for the Hardwicke Stakes, with last year's Breeders' Cup Turf hero Ethical Diamond (Awtaad) also in attendance.
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