IT'S a big week for Godolphin. They need a big winner. Ideally a Group 1 winner. The resignation of John Ferguson, so long a huge part of the Dubai organisation, has rocked the boat. The way it came about was another matter of embarrassment for the operation with Saeed Bin Suroor, seemingly so sure of his own position within the team, airing his destructive views out of house, making Ferguson’s position untenable.

Journalists, including myself, yearn for the days were Godolphin and Coolmore fought out a closer-matched fight on the racecourse. Articles are regularly written teeing up potential big clashes that could bring back the glory days of match races like Galileo v Fantastic Light. Considering the strength of Coolmore now, it may be wishful thinking for Godolphin to compete pound for pound but flat racing would be a two-fold better spectacle if the boys in blue became a more solid force.

Right now, Godolphin just need to get back on track with a positive result.

Ribchester needs to win. After his Lockinge performance, he is the highest rated horse in Europe. He needs to copper-fasten that assessment with another impressive show.

Barney Roy and Thunder Snow both have a second shot at Churchill. The former will have his supporters after Newmarket where many felt he was unlucky in how the race was run.

And in the potential race of the week, the Commonwealth Cup, course record holder Blue Point and recent purchase Harry Angel will both tackle Caravaggio in the race that was only added to the Royal meeting two seasons ago.

Caravaggio is an important horse for Coolmore, in the short and long term. He is a son of Scat Daddy, who sadly died in 2015 and so alongside Lady Aurelia, is a leading hope of the sire’s second last crop.

He potentially represents a new bloodline with the versatility to suit both markets in Europe and the US. Should either Blue Point or Harry Angel topple him, it would be a big scalp for Godolphin. It would get them one back for now.

Jessica and Kate Harrington with Brother Bear and Colm O'Donoghue after winning the Listed Marble Hill Stakes

It’s a big week for Jessica Harrington who, since Sizing John won the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February, has gone on an incredible run which has carried through to the flat season. In an interview with the Irish Field, the Moone-based trainer said that a Royal Ascot winner was one of the next achievements on her list and she appears to have a good chance of breaking through this week.

Harrington, through an illustrious career, has been predominantly known as a jumps trainer, despite plenty of success on the flat well before this season. Now more than ever, she is a dual purpose handler, competing prominently on both fronts. Harrington has 80 flat horses in her care including 30 juveniles.

Two of those juveniles are favourites for their respective races at Royal Ascot this week - Brother Bear in the Coventry Stakes and Alpha Centauri in the Albany Stakes.

Torcedor also has a live chance in the Ascot Gold Cup, having already beaten last year’s winner and current favourite Order Of St George.

Harrington is currently fourth in the Irish flat trainers’ championship, ahead of Fozzy Stack, ahead of Mick Halford, ahead of Dermot Weld. To be able to compete so well in both codes of racing is testament to her skills as a trainer. Another big win this week would be no surprise.

Colin Keane has lots of big rides to look forward to at Ascot this week.

It’s a big week for Colin Keane. Second in the Irish jockeys’ championship, just one behind Pat Smullen, the Meath native has been progressing fast in recent seasons. He is number one jockey to Ger Lyons and is Qatar Racing’s principle Irish jockey.

With the progress he has made to the top of the tree of flat jockeys in Ireland comes great pressure. And Keane will want to make his mark this week, be it in the Qatar Racing colours or not.

Funny how things work out though. Three seasons ago Keane was looking forward to riding Cappella Sansevero in the Coventry Stakes until the colt was bought by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani for £1.3m the day before the race at the Goffs London Sale. At that time Sheikh Fahad employed Jamie Spencer to ride all of his horses so he came in for the ride at the last minute.

Now the majority of Keane’s rides this week at the Royal meeting will be in Sheikh Fahad’s burgundy silks. Patience is a wonderful thing in this game.

John Oxx has a live chance this week with Naughty Or Nice

It’s a big week for John Oxx who everyone would like to see get back to the top. The Currabeg trainer has been on a downward spiral in recent seasons, owed much to the loss of support from the Aga Khan and Tsui family. He only has 37 horses to train at the moment and presumably has had to downsize his staff as a result.

He has one shot to fire this week. Naughty Or Nice is due to take her chance in the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday and she is not without a chance. She won her maiden at Gowran Park, turning over subsequent Group 3 scorer Bean Feasa. She then won a listed race at Navan, beating subsequent listed winner Grandee. She stays really well and Oxx has had this race in mind for her since she won on her debut.

A win on this grand stage could turn the tide by serving as a reminder of Oxx’s ability as a trainer.

Lady Aurelia is one of a number of big-name American horses at Royal Ascot this week

It’s a big week for the future of American-trained horses at Royal Ascot. Wesley Ward is back with 10 horses and no one has done more to forge the link between America and Royal Ascot than the California-based trainer.

Mark Casse, who trained Tepin to win the Queen Anne Stakes last season, sends over La Coronel for the Coronation Stakes. William Mott is aiming Long On Value for the Diamond Jubilee. Graham Motion is going to let Miss Temple City have another crack, this time at the Queen Anne Stakes, having finished a good fourth in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes last season. Todd Pletcher is running American Patriot in the Queen Anne as well.

Ascot chiefs will want these American challengers to go well, so their trainers will be enticed to return next year. It’s good to see American horses travelling over - not only does it add to the spectacle but also provides a form line to measure against British and Irish horses. Then there is the possibility of a rematch at the Breeders' Cup meeting. It’s also worth noting that the meeting will be broadcasted by NBC for the first time.