ROYAL Ascot will have to compete for attention with the opening stages of Euro 2016 (unless you are Scottish), but looks like being a cracker, with several high-profile international raiders taking on the British and the Irish.

The timing banker of the week looks to be Caravaggio in either the Coventry Stakes (seems more likely) or Norfolk Stakes.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt being a long way clear of any other two-year-old on the stopwatch (115 timefigure) and already up to the usual winning standards.

Mecca’s Angel’s participation in the King’s Stand Stakes may depend on the weather, but her 129 in winning last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes gives her a class edge over her rivals if the ground is indeed good or softer.

It is difficult to tell at this stage what will run in the Royal Hunt Cup, and impossible to tell where horses will be drawn.

Jailawi looks a strong contender if he gets the breaks, having finished first or second in all his starts since his debut and run a good time (108) in a narrow defeat at Sandown last time.

Quiet Reflection seems very well-equipped for the Commonwealth Cup, given that a strong pace took her to a 119 time performance at Haydock and several front-runners look likely to show up in this.

Jet Setting (116) is marginally fastest in the Coronation Stakes (in the presumed absence of Minding) but may need softer ground than she will encounter here. Ballydoyle (109) is one of only two other fillies to have beaten Minding and looks a solid substitute for Aidan O’Brien.

Exosphere (104) could be a vulnerable favourite for the Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday, given that his Newmarket win came in an unexceptional time.

Better alternatives exist, even if Highland Reel (capable of running into the 120s at his best) goes elsewhere..

Twilight Son (123 for his second to Muhaarar at course and distance) is in pole position for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes following his pipe-opener behind Magical Memory (120) at York.