Commonwealth Cup 2026
The Commonwealth Cup is one of the strongest three-year-old sprint races of the season. Run over 6f at Royal Ascot, it demands a blend of raw speed, proven Group-class ability, strong recent form and the ability to handle the pressure of a fiercely-run straight-course sprint.
This year’s renewal has two clear trends horses in Venetian Sun and Coppull, who both achieved a perfect 15/15 match. However, the wider Turf Talk model also gives strong respect to Wise Approach, Havana Anna, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Division, Samangan and Zanthos.
The star-rating table below follows the same expanded format as yesterday’s race pages, with trends, ratings, speed, trainer angles and overall profile all combined into one final view.
Key Commonwealth Cup Trends
- Market: 11/11 winners were no bigger than 25/1.
- Market Position: 11/11 winners were within the first 9 of the market.
- Recent Speed: 11/11 winners achieved a TS of 86+ in their last three starts.
- Class Profile: 11/11 winners had not recorded their highest win in a Group 3, Class 2 or Class 3 race.
- Trip Speed: 11/11 winners achieved a TS of 83+ at the trip.
- Official Rating: 11/11 winners held an OR of 105+.
- Recent RPR: 11/11 winners achieved an RPR of 105+ in their last three starts.
- Experience: 11/11 winners had run in 4-8 career races.
- Season Profile: 11/11 winners had run in 2-6 races during the year.
- Last Win Trip: 11/11 winners had won over 6f-7f last time they won.
- Debut Margin: 11/11 winners were beaten no more than 3¼ lengths on debut.
- Trip Wins: 11/11 winners had 1-4 wins over the trip.
- Recent Form: 11/11 winners had placed within their last two starts.
The pure trends shortlist is headed by Coppull and Venetian Sun, who both achieved a perfect 15/15 match. Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Division, Samangan and Wise Approach all score strongly on 14/15, with Havana Anna and Zanthos next best on 13/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends | Rating | RPR/TS | Profile | Speed | Trainer | Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venetian Sun | 15/15 | 394 | 133 / 114 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, highest RPR in the field by a clear margin, strong Topspeed, proven Group-class filly and K R Burke has an excellent record with top sprinting fillies. | Short price in a deep sprint and has to prove she can dominate this field under maximum pressure. | Main Selection |
| Wise Approach | 14/15 | 382 | 128 / 105 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Second-highest RPR, strong 14/15 trends match, Charlie Appleby/William Buick combination and proven on good to firm. | Needs to bounce back from two below-peak efforts and is not as strong on Topspeed as the main sprinting types. | Main Danger |
| Havana Anna | 13/15 | 378 | 125 / 116 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | Excellent RPR/TS combination, strong 13/15 trends score and produced one of the best recent sprint figures in the race. | Needs to confirm the improvement and Donnacha O’Brien yard form is only steady in the supplied data. | Speed Danger |
| Coppull | 15/15 | 376 | 120 / 112 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, excellent speed figure, recent winner and Clive Cox has a strong Commonwealth Cup record. | Needs to improve again on RPR to match Venetian Sun and Wise Approach. | Trends Danger |
| Charles Darwin | 14/15 | 372 | 121 / 109 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Strong 14/15 trends match, A P O’Brien runner, Group-class back form and a very solid RPR/TS balance. | Needs to rebound from latest run and Wayne Lordan is not as strong a booking as Ryan Moore on Albert Einstein. | Class Danger |
| Albert Einstein | 14/15 | 370 | 117 / 101 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Ryan Moore booked, A P O’Brien profile, strong 14/15 trends match and brings high-class two-year-old form into the race. | Speed figure is lower than the leading sprint profiles and he has to show he can hit a true Commonwealth Cup pace. | Shortlist / Class Angle |
| Division | 14/15 | 368 | 119 / 105 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | William Haggas yard is in excellent form, James Doyle booked and 14/15 trends score keeps him firmly involved. | Has not quite posted the top-end RPR or TS of the main contenders. | Each-Way Chance |
| Samangan | 14/15 | 366 | 120 / 113 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Strong trends score, very good Topspeed figure and F-H Graffard angle gives him a different profile to many of the British and Irish runners. | Needs to prove he can reproduce his best in this exact Ascot sprint setup. | Speed Each-Way |
| Zanthos | 13/15 | 364 | 123 / 111 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | Strong RPR/TS combination and excellent going record. | Postdata flags some negatives and the Crisford yard has been quiet in the supplied data. | Ratings Outsider |
| Outfielder | 10/15 | 358 | 123 / 96 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Wesley Ward angle, strong RPR and arrives here in good form. | Only 10/15 trends and Topspeed data is not as compelling. | American Angle |
| Brussels | 7/15 | 354 | 123 / 106 | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | A P O’Brien runner with a strong RPR and enough ability to outrun big odds if returning to form. | Very weak trends match and recent form is not convincing. | Ratings Only |
| Song Of The Clyde | 11/15 | 352 | 118 / 107 | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Good speed/RPR balance and Clive Cox sprint angle. | Only 11/15 trends and needs to find more to win. | Place Possible |
Key: ★★★★★ excellent, ★★★★☆ strong, ★★★☆☆ fair, ★★☆☆☆ below ideal, ★☆☆☆☆ concern.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The final shortlist is headed by Venetian Sun, Wise Approach, Havana Anna, Coppull, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Division and Samangan.
Venetian Sun comes out on top because she combines a perfect 15/15 trends match with the highest RPR in the race and a strong Topspeed figure. Her overall profile is the cleanest in the field and she sets a very high standard.
Wise Approach is the main danger on ratings. His RPR of 128 is second only to Venetian Sun and the Appleby/Buick combination gives him a major chance if he returns to his peak.
Havana Anna is the speed danger. She has an excellent RPR/TS blend and her 116 Topspeed figure is the best in the race, making her a serious threat if the race turns into a pure speed test.
Coppull is the other perfect trends horse and must be respected, while Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Division and Samangan all have the right profile to get involved.
Commonwealth Cup 2026 Tips
1. Venetian Sun 6/4
Venetian Sun is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends score and producing the highest RPR in the race.
She has the strongest overall profile, proven sprinting class and enough speed to back up the ratings. She looks the one they all have to beat.
2. Wise Approach 12/1
Wise Approach is the main danger.
He has a huge RPR of 128, a strong 14/15 trends match and represents Charlie Appleby and William Buick. If he returns to his best, he has the class to go very close.
3. Havana Anna 16/1
Havana Anna is the value/speed angle.
She has a very strong RPR/TS profile and her 116 Topspeed figure makes her a serious player if this turns into a flat-out sprint.
Turf Talk Verdict
Venetian Sun gets the vote in the Commonwealth Cup. She is a perfect trends match, owns the highest RPR in the field and brings one of the strongest sprint profiles in the race. Wise Approach looks the main ratings danger, while Havana Anna is the best speed/value angle. Coppull is respected as the other perfect trends horse.
Final Selection
Venetian Sun
1st: Venetian Sun 6/4
2nd: Wise Approach 12/1
3rd: Havana Anna 16/1
Trends Danger: Coppull 14/1
Class Danger: Charles Darwin 14/1
The Commonwealth Cup is a proper Group 1 sprint test, but the trends, ratings and overall profile point most strongly towards Venetian Sun.
